Show your mods!

[Donut]

I searched on google for cheap pcb etching and some guy had a formula for mixing something you can get at home depot for cheap and peroxide. I wonder how good that stuff would work.

Bart, how good does the wave open work on the ladybug? I can't see it working very well.

[Bladespec]

Used a peanut butter jar, some rocks from the driveway and some soap and water and alot of shaking.

I used some ferric acid to etch the blade on my Manix 2 to darken it and then shook it some more. Had to resharpen it all again but I think it looks better.

Is it gritty with that new finish with the ferric acid?

[bartvdb]

@ donut 100% correct it doesent open getting it out of the pocket the reason for me is that the spydy-hole on the ladybug and the grashopper are to small for one-hand opening and that works just fine with the small mod . greeetzzzzz

[Sithus1966]

I got both of these off of Ebay for a song. The bottom one was the rougher of the two condition wise so I decided to give it a more wharncliffe style blade shape.

[korbiaka]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-DcO...e_gdata_player

[prime77]

Is it gritty with that new finish with the ferric acid?

It's not so much gritty, but not as smooth a polished blade either.

[EDCTAC]

I just did a ferric acid etch and stone wash(same way as above) on the clip of my para 2, and now it just blends into my jeans. I like that its not as obvious now but its also not just plain black

[korbiaka]

Have been smoothing and polishing g10b more than I used too. Here are two para's, one sold, and the other was shot over by a forum member I owed a favor too. Pic of a blue Endura to match the Delica a few posts up.

[Donut]

The polished G-10 looks pretty nice. I stared at that Endura for about 20 seconds trying to figure out what you did to a Police. I finally noticed there was no swedge.

It looks nice.

[RoBoTech]

I like what your doing very much ,0 What is the difference between G10 and G11 ?
Is it hardness ? If so which is which ?
I just started working with G10 and I'm impressed with how strong it is,
For a loss of a better term ,)

From the pieces I have worked with, G-11 is translucent, more of a "ghost" look.
You can get G-10 like that, but it's natural in G-11.

[RoBoTech]

To finish I used various micro-files [to smooth the holes],
150-600 sandpaper[to remove edges and make a rough polish],
and good old French's Golden Mustard ,)

I made my own formula for a Mustard etch.
Mix 4oz of COKE, 2 teaspoons of gun bluing paste (can get it in a tube, but the liquid can be used. May have to experiment with that, tho. Maybe start with a tablespoon), and two tablespoons of plain old yellow mustard. Depending on the steel, and how deep you want the etch to be, 2-5 coats.
Be sure to degrease the steel. Even alcohol will work for that, or brake cleaner.
Apply each coat with a SPONGE, don't rub, blot. Let sit until dry. Then just clean off the junk with some 000 steel wool and hot water. Use the steel wool VERY lightly as you don't want to buff the finish, just get the junk off. Dry the steel, then repeat until you get the desired etch. Then let sit, not touching anything, overnight, then lightly buff with the steel wool. Here is a pic. The blade is actually 440C Stainless! So when people tell you you cant etch Stainless, here's the proof.


Gotta remember that this is a RUST (oxidation) finish, but when it's done, it actually makes the finish even MORE rust resistant (like bluing does for gun steel). But until it's finished... well let the steel wool sit a while and you will see what I mean.

[RoBoTech]

hey guys,
just got it but the only thing i didn't like was the ss handle.
so here's my fix.



thanks for looking!
later,
don

So, just epoxy holding it on?
I scale a lot of fixed blade knives and use Gorilla Glue. Holds like crazy. BUT, I also pin the scales.
Tests I have seen shows a good bit of side shear to break Gorilla. Usually breaks the wood scales 1st.
But, I have never been brave enough to try it.

[sharpguitarist]

hey dude,
i just used epoxy to attach the scales.
this was a spur of the moment project, and i just used what i had on hand.
i know pins or screws would have been better, but i figure on such a small, light duty knife like the kiwi 3, epoxy would work just fine.
and, i like the uninterupted look of the ebony.
just be sure to use a slow setting epoxy so you have plenty of time to possition the scales and clean up any squeeze out that might occur.
btw, your mods look great!
good luck with your future projects!
later,
don

[Jazz]

korbiaka - I love the shiny G10! Is it slippery?

- best wishes, Jazz.

[LongRider]

Hi, just completed this as a gift for my dad's retirement. Took off the original carbon fibre scales and added mammoth tooth.

This thread got me interested. This post compelled me to register. Your work is nothing short of outstanding. The work others have done here is great, definitely inspiring but your work is by far the most stunning. You have created the most breathtakingly beautiful production knife I have ever seen bar none. You picked the perfect blade shape and design to compliment with the most excellent mammoth tooth scales. One question did you need to have the mammoth tooth stabilized? If so can you share how or who did that?

[powernoodle]

Scale and liner relieved by Tom Krein to make liner lock and Spydie hole accessible. Big improvement, IMO.


Gayle Bradley.

[Orion's Belt]

Nothing huge here, but I wanted to try something different for the clip on my BD30P Manix.

It started as a hand rubbed finish with 600 grit sand paper. I liked it, but thought I'd try for an antiqued look. I sanded it more but this time with 240 grit then applied a thin coat of black spray paint with a cotton swab. After it dried, I went back over it with the 240 grit until I was happy with the finish.

[Jazz]

Orion's Belt - I really like the look of your clip. Kind of a worn in look - not shiny or solid black. Nice. Can we see it on the knife, please?

- best wishes, Jazz.

[Orion's Belt]

Ask and ye shall recieve!

[razorback1595]

looks nice on that manix