[M14sRock]

Many years ago I took the "Cold Steel" challenge. Until then I used Randalls and Dawsons.

But I never liked the finger groove handles of the Randalls, and they had not yet introduced the Border Patrol Handle. The Cold Steel knives were great, but I also hated the rubber handles. So one day I stripped off the rubber grip from a CS knife to see what it would tak to re-handle them.

Here are a couple of the results. These are Carbon V Recon Scouts.

The top one with the wood handle is done with a single piece of CA Desert Ironwood. It was a large block, certified cut 100 years ago. It was mounted by drilling two holes, side by side, from the end and then filing the two into a rectangular hole. The epoxy was mixed with crushed meteor and 100 Million year old fossilized dinosaur bone, for the coolness factor. My friend drilled the holes and mixed the epoxy, then affixed the block of Ironwood. I shaped the handle using rasps and files, finishing with 1000 grit wet dry paper. I just copied the style of the Randall Border Patrol Handle. Lanyard hole is brass tubing.

Next is one of the CS Desert Storm sterile Recon Scouts (no markings), done with tan Canvas Micarta. I used a router to inlet the Micarta, and a drill press to drill the holes for the brass pins. A 1/8" thick black linen Micarta spacer is at the front near the cross guard, and the same stock was used for the end cap. Lanyard hole is red linen Micarta tubing.

I stripped off the black teflon coating from the blades, and blued them. The teflon "gunks up" after a while, impeding the cutting ability.

[CA357]

Sweet! Nice workmanship.

[AusLach]

Originally Posted by M14sRock

The epoxy was mixed with crushed meteor and 100 Million year old fossilized dinosaur bone, for the coolness factor.

THAT is undoubtably and infinitely cool

[M14sRock]

Here are some more. The little one is a laminated Japanese knife made by a 15th generation Japanese swordmaker. Shoji Kitamura. I put the handles on that from a left over piece of heart wood that I had in the box of spares, and made the sheath. The sheath was my first attempt since I was a kid. Tandy had all the stuff and tools.

The top one is one of the CS Mountain Man series with Red Linen Micarta.
Below that is my well used Master Hunter with Black Linen Micarta. Carried and used for many years.
Below that is one of the Carbon V cheapies, redone with Ebony and designed to look primitive.



All together now.


Carbon V SRK with Black paper Micarta done with the primitive look, and a red linen lanyard hole. Pin is brass.


Carbon V SRK with Green Canvas Micarta and brass pins. No lanyard hole, but I think I'll add one.

[doctherock]

Damn fine looking knives you have there.

[M14sRock]

Originally Posted by AusLach

THAT is undoubtably and infinitely cool

No kidding, Huh?

My friend Craig, who died last Feb, wanted it to be one of a kind. He had found the meteor as a kid in the desert. Chose to use it on my knife as an ode to Jim Bowie, who is reported to have had a knife made from a meteor. He bought the dino fossil specifically to use for a knife build, but never did. So he used it for my knife. I was honored. I have not finished off the very end of the handle, as I have a couple of small pieces of elephant ivory and have though about putting an ivory cap on the end. So i have left it flat, and unfinished.

[AusLach]

Originally Posted by M14sRock

No kidding, Huh?

My friend Craig, who died last Feb, wanted it to be one of a kind. He had found the meteor as a kid in the desert. Chose to use it on my knife as an ode to Jim Bowie, who is reported to have had a knife made from a meteor. He bought the dino fossil specifically to use for a knife build, but never did. So he used it for my knife. I was honored. I have not finished off the very end of the handle, as I have a couple of small pieces of elephant ivory and have though about putting an ivory cap on the end. So i have left it flat, and unfinished.

What a beautiful story behind a beautiful knife.

[M14sRock]

Originally Posted by AusLach

What a beautiful story behind a beautiful knife.

You have no idea. He was truly an amazing man, and as good a friend as anyone could ever have.

I have his NM M1A and Jim Hoag Series 70 Gov't Model. I bought the M1A back from the guy he had sold it to many years ago when he was diagnosed with his cancer. I got the Colt from Craig. I'll never sell them.

His son is now a student of mine, and has his dad's Glock 17 which he runs like a madman. One of these days I'll give him his dad's M1A, and maybe the knife.

The world was a better place just because Craig was in it.

[freefall]

You're a good man Rock.

[dunerunner]

Very nice workmanship! You have talent!