Posted: 7/19/2011 2:24:21 PM EDT
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MODs...I posted this over in the SF "survival gear" forum....but thought that some of the folks here may like it....and not frequent that area. Delete if necessary.
Sheath Modifications....Because I can't leave well enough alone. As you may have read, I acquired a Becker BK2 from Kabar. I believe I have found a new favorite knife. The weight feels good....the balance is right for me...overall a great under $100.00 value. 
My biggest complaint with the package is the sheath. The lower portion of the sheath is great. I believe it is Kydex...and it holds the knife very securely. It has slots for attaching it to various types of rigging,be it a belt, a vest, a pack, etc. The part that falls short is the belt-loop. It is made from a very floppy nylon webbing. This allows the sheath to flop around more than I like....so I decided to modify it. I started by disassembling the sheath by taking the belt-loop off the lower portion by removing the 4 screws that hold it there. The belt loop is held in place with 3 press fit rivets. you will not be able to drill these out....so a grinder or file will be in order to remove them. This takes a few minutes....but it can be done very cleanly. 
Now that the bracket is free, I had to find a new way to attach it to my belt. I looked into my box of goodies and found a "Tek-Lok" from Bladetec (pictured below)...and the light came on. This allows for fast on/off from the belt without taking the belt off. These can be had for around $8.00 online. Mine came off a old mag pouch that had gotten cracked....but the latch was fine. I had to figure out how I wanted to carry the knife. I generally like the pommel to be even with the top of my belt...or a bit lower. since the Tek-Lok is a bit shorter than the belt loop....I determined a spacer would be in order. Looking into my box of goodies again I dug up a piece of aluminum. It measured 1/8" thick, 2" wide, and about a foot long. I laid it out to be about the length I wanted it...then marked, cut, and drilled. The fasteners are available at most hardware stores. 
The sheath was beginning to come together, But I felt it needed a bit more. I am under the ideology that if you are going to have a sheath....it should be a tool too. Back into the goody box again....I found a very accurate Silva compass. It was made to be a zipper pull or hang from a lanyard. (pictured above) While digging around in there...I also found a couple firesteel rods. I was trying to figure out the best way to mount the firesteels to the sheath, and happened upon a piece of aluminum that it slid into perfectly. 
Being that I own a metal fabrication shop....I began to shape the piece...I did this with a angle grinder and some files. I mounted it using the back of the fasteners that hold on the new belt bracket. 
So essentially the end result is a sheath that is a lot more solid than the factory. It has some what of a utilitarian feel. the over all weight only increased by a few ounces....and I feel the weight gain is warranted for the new advantages. 
The only other thing I have modified is I changed out the standard screws in the handle with stainless steel and nylocs....so as for now....I'm calling it done. I may tape or paint it later. What needs to be done now is to go out and use it a bit. I want to send it through is paces to see where it's shortfalls are. I'll let you know how it preforms. Thanks for reading....Echo2 |