I have been getting asked to do some knife mod videos, and this opportunity came up so I filmed the process. This video details how I strip the black coating from knives, then polish and add my own subdued blue finish.
This video helped me out tremendously! I was sitting at home with WD40 and 60 grit sandpaper trying to take that finish off my GI Tanto. Needless to say, it took way longer than it should have. This is great and you've inspired me to mod more of my knives. Carefully that is.
Have you ever considered carving a hardwood plug for the handle? Seems that it would give a little more heft and help absorb some shock when chopping/batoning with the knife.
It most certainly will. That's Beckerhead 101...we all use that stuff to strip Beckers. Every Becker I've ever owned got stripped. You've had your BK5 for a while, so it has the old coating, which is easy. Easier than this Bushman. I think there was an extra coat in there...maybe that grey stuff that's on some Cold Steels. Stripping Becker's with Jasco is easy. Then just get some 300,600,1000,1500,2000grit wet/dry, and finish with the 3000grit sponge to polish it up nice.
I used some stripper when I was in the USMC. The stuff would work INSTANTLY. Spray it on a painted surface and the paint would balloon out. We stripped a few Ka-Bars with it. Did some modding.. I can't remember what the stuff was called, but it was freakin awesome.
I stripped a BK-16 a while ago but couldn't find the Jassco stuff & used the Klean Strip Premium Stripper from THD (no Lowe's here). It workd just as good as the Jassco (when it's warm). I revisited this video to see how you blue the blade. I etched it today & it looks kind of cool for my 1st time!
Tommorrow I am going to go find a hardwood push broom handle or something similar that fits that bushman, and build another survival walking stick/spear like that one I made my friend below (It had a large fishing gig). The video looks weird, but it's because the bottom has 100lb test fishing line wrapped around the bottom to retrieve it after a throw (what you see). Not sure what feature I'll add for this one, except the utility cord wrap. Search: "River Spear Fishing" by woodbeast3144.
Hey Chris! Been watching your stuff for while now. Didn't know you were a fellow sailor. Good to know, shipmate! BM2(SW) here. Got out in '02. Keep up the good work, man. I learn quite a bit from your vids. Hooyah!!
@clancy6969 : LOL. Hey, I warned you in the title. People kept asking how I strip the coating from my knives. But I DID grind a fire steel notch in it! I thought about the drop point, but figured I'd just get the other Bushman and grind the spine down. If you have video, post a video reply of it, I'd like to see that. I don't care for choils, personally though.
Excuse me sir, may I ask for a bit of advice? I'm just getting into bushcraft and knives and things. I'm getting this as my first knife. Would you recommend this version or the bowie knife version? Thanks!
Do you have a suggestion for a tape that Jasco will not eat??? I have a Buushman and was going to tape the handle down to the blade. The thought was to keep protection on the handle and wrap it with paracord, then turn a pommel for the end so my hand doesn't slip on the end and maybe a hole for a lanyared. Was not planning on using it to store stuff or make a spear out of it. I guess I can use Google to find gun bluing. Thanks for the instruction.
i found using a razor blade works wonders to get the paint off, just recently did my bk2 and got all the paint off in like large strips so there was no left over chunks on it, saved me alot of work tryin to get all the little leftover peaces off lol awesome video though Chris!
i couldent find anything like that here in Canada, i used some type of paint stripper so it dident bubble up completely like you see in most how to vids on here, but with a razor blade it came completely off no problem
Do you have a problem with the tip of your blades rounding with that sharpener? I've heard people complaining about that specific sharpener. I would like to know your thoughts. Thanks.
I tried doing this with some of their trench knives. I used citristrip and waited 24 whole hours only to get limited removal on three and no removal at all on one. Am I doing it wrong ?
Hey Chris, I know you do LOTS of Mods - do you feel the top (false) edge of the CS Bushman BOWIE (not regular Bushman) can be sharpened with the work sharp to create a better "spear style" blade? I know You don't like a sharp top edge personally, but can the knife be worked that way? Thanks!
Chris: Have you had any issues with the worksharp "ruining" your knives? Some reviews are saying the do more harm, than good and it kills the tip of the blade? I think it may come from improper use. Yours looked to do wonders. You're thoughts please. ??? Thanks-
the super blue stuff you used for the 'bluing' can you get that at lowes too? If you can give me the full name i can find it easy, would like to do this for a tomahawk.
Have you ever sand blasted the coating off ? I have a sand blaster that I wanted to use but did`t want to ruin the knife for the bluing process ? What do ya think ??
Chris did you strip and blue the inside of the handle or no? If so how did you get all the way in there and was it a pain in the ass? Thanks, keep it up. 👍
Also have you got/do you know anyone who has a Condor Matt Graham Primitive Bushknife? Would like to know what people think as it's coming to the UK soon.
Yes, it is probably even easier to strip the SCHF36 because of its weak coating. In fact, you could even just take some sandpaper to the whole knife and get at least a lot of the coating off
Where do you buy the paint remover? Also i was wondering if i should blue it or do something like that as well or would it be fine just to strip the knife and leave it as is.
+NothingSpecial He's using the 220 grit belt, which will, indeed, heat up a knife pretty quickly. With that belt, I only do 3 or 4 strokes per side then let it cool a bit before I continue. It's not as much of an issue with the 400 or 600 belts.
why make a comment if it's bad. you did not like video stop watching. I have condor crotalus the black is very gripy. can't take scales off, will the jassco damage the mycarta handles?... sry for the sp
Hi Chris, I'm curious to know if you left the coating underneat the handle scales for Becky, and if so, how did you manage to spray that stuff without getting it all over the handle. Thx
i have a gi tanto from them that i am stripping with sand paper god dang that stuff is hard to get off im leaving some on mine faded looking for a rustic well used affect and i am going to try my hand at making some wood grips to put on it
Chris, could you please give me and your other viewers some information about your Work Sharp sharpener? it is awesome and damn quick! I'm sick of spending hours with the Lansky or working the knives on the Stones. Bah! I got to get me one of those Work Sharps
Okay, so I've watched your stripping videos now and have a good idea of what I'm getting into. My question is, what will this stuff do to handles? Cold Steel handles in particular.
He knows how to use a stone this is just quicker to use the band. I do not know this but he might prefer the round edge compared to the micro serrations on a knife that was stone sharpened.
+Frank Urban Most professional sharpeners use some sort of belt sander, at least on the initial grind. It's easier, faster, and more consistent. One added benefit of the Work Sharp is that it puts a slightly convex grind on the blade, which seems to hold an edge longer.
