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ultralight dadley

Discussion in 'Do-It-Yourself Modifications' started by byksm, Dec 5, 2012.

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    byksm Loaded Pockets

    so i got it in my head to put together an ultralight field knife. my goal was 2oz or less.
    i picked the russell dadley mainly for its slim thickness yet broad width.
    the russell knife company has a long history here in mass. dadleys skinned buffalo, when there was such a thing.
    the blade is carbon steel and came in at 2.4oz, 5"loc, 9"oal for 11$.
    the carbon fiber, .125 x 1.5 x 10, can be had for about 25$.
    [IMG]
    [IMG]

    to lighten it up i ground an inch off the blade then skeletonized and reduced the profile of the handle.
    brings it down to 1.7oz.
    [IMG]

    with the scales and thin walled steel tube pins, the weight comes to 2.3oz.
    missed my goal by .3oz.
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]

    kydex weighs .7oz.
    6' paracord, whistle and fero rod weigh .8oz.
    [IMG]
    [IMG]

    total weight 3.8oz.
    blade, carbon fiber and kydex cost just over 40$.
    had fun doing the project and gave the knife to a friend.
    hopefully soon ill have a report on how well it performs.

    enjoy
    -p
    byksm, Dec 5, 2012
    #1
    Cornholio2188, mole, Vesp and 7 others like this.

    Cobra 6 Actual Uber Prepared

    Whoa, that is an outstanding job there!
    Cobra 6 Actual, Dec 5, 2012
    #2
    Gnarly likes this.

    trickcunningham Uber Prepared

    Lucky friend!
    trickcunningham, Dec 5, 2012
    #3
    lnytunes likes this.
    • +4 Supporter
    • In Omnia Paratus

    Gnarly Uber Prepared

    Great job!
    Gnarly, Dec 5, 2012
    #4
    • +4 Supporter

    Ted Andkilde Loaded Pockets

    Haven't seen a pica pole in a long time :)

    Sweet knife.

    Cheers, Ted
    Ted Andkilde, Dec 5, 2012
    #5
    Gnarly likes this.

    nuphoria Uber Prepared

    That's a lovely bit of work you did there :)
    nuphoria, Dec 6, 2012
    #6

    Kilted1 Uber Prepared

    Opened this thread mostly to find out WTH is a Dadley? Nicely done!
    Kilted1, Dec 6, 2012
    #7

    barlow666 Loaded Pockets

    Just curious: when you grind that much off a blade, won't the heat effect the temper? I have wanted to try something like this but was always sure I would ruin the knife. Of course I still mght, but it would be helpful to have a bit of expertise before I start: Is there a 'trick' to prevent damaging a blade when you re-shape it?
    barlow666, Dec 6, 2012
    #8

    byksm Loaded Pockets

    thank you all for the compliments.
    as much as anything, i was eager to show whats possible with some ambition and little to no money.
    i love seeing people making and modding their own edc gear.
    byksm, Dec 6, 2012
    #9

    byksm Loaded Pockets

    depends on what youre using to grind the blade.
    worst case scenario is probably the standard bench grinder. you can do it... just be super careful.
    have a bucket of water close to cool the blade.
    hold the blade with your bare hands close to where youre grinding. when its getting too hot to hold, youre in danger of affecting the temper and need to cool it quick.
    cool it often anyway.
    dress the grinding wheel often. when the wheel loads up with steel, it creates more friction.
    then cool your blade again.
    the thinner the steel, the faster it will overheat.
    if you see the steel turning colors, you are affecting the temper. if it turns blue, its too late.
    before that happens, which can happen surprisingly fast, cool the blade some more.

    one of the upsides of the russell blade is it only cost 11$
    you could go to a goodwill and find old kitchen knives to practice on. its not a terrible loss if you screw up a cheap blade.

    have fun
    -p
    byksm, Dec 6, 2012
    #10