I decided that I didn't like the tactical look and feel of my RMD after all, and I wasn't too comfortable with the handle on it. But I did love the steel and blade shape. So I decided to make it into something more to my taste. The inspirations for this was my Jeff White bush knife. I gave my JW knife away, so I thought "Why not a design I like with SR101 steel and a nice stabilized maple burl handle?" So I got to plotting. After I sketched out the handle shape, there was a lot of cutting, grinding, gluing, drilling, fitting, and sanding (I'll spare you the boring detail pictures as they are pretty much what you imagine). The end result was to my liking. After some sanding, flushing, and oil finish, I was able to get the texture out. I'm liking it a lot more now.
Grate job mate. The RMD (and HRLM) is one of my favourite knives in hand but it is nice to see you make one your own !!!
That thing now has zero resemblance to an RMD! It kinda looks like that 6 that someone here modded to look like a 6HM. Nice work though!
Yeah, that was kinda the idea. The designs of HM series, DC6, Jeff White knives etc. are very similar, and I found it to my liking. RMD handle was a bit too thin and had too many things going on for me to use it comfortably, but the steel is awesome on it. I tried selling it first, but when no one bought it, I decided to turn it into a project.
There aren't many knives in my house that haven't been modified, and it's a pretty darned good feeling when you get it right. You got that right. Nice piece of work.
Thanks, Bones. I always end up modifying my knives because there is always a little something I want different, whether it's deeper choil, different grind, a lanyard hole, coating etc.
With the RMD, I like the dip on the spine of the handle just before the ricasso. It's where the web between my thumb and forefinger sit and it feels great to me! I'm really digging the edge retention with this scrapyard steel too!
That's awesome work! Thing looks great! What's an RMD. Frankly, I'm excited about seeing what guys do with the cleaver when it comes out. I think it's such an old school design, I can't wait to see the mods to the handles.
Yeah, if I had to buy a Busse again, I'd go with a Scrapyard knife because of the handle. Haven't tried it, but from what I hear, it's very ergonomic.
I only held a Junglas once, but it was by far my favorite ESEE handle, so if your cleaver comes out with the Junglas handle, I can't think of many improvements. Although rustic blade and wooden handle would give it some extra flavor....because it's such an old school design.