SCHRADE SP4 Trapper-Wharncliffe Mod

[QTCut5]

I wanted to show this mod here to point out the apparent difficulty of putting a new nail nick in hardened steel. Clearly, whoever did this mod discovered just how hard it is. Eventually a new nail nick was achieved, more or less, but it's not very professional looking, IMHO. (I do like how the spay blade was modified into a Wharncliffe, though...and the Elk covers aren't too bad either.)

What advice would you experienced knife mechanics give to the person who modified this knife RE cutting a nail pull in hardened steel?

[Meridian_Mike]

Yep, I agree....

That is an interesting attempt at adding a nail nick.

[ea42]

The only thing I know of that'll cut a nick in hardened steel is a 60 degree (or thereabouts) stone. To do it right you'd want to chuck it in a drill press and mount the blade vertically on a piece of steel in a vise. You'd need some kind of backing on the blade too since it's already ground both at an angle to the edge and toward the tip. You want to avoid chatter.

Eric

[Suredan]

The nail nick looks upside down to me.

[Ivoryman]

Looks like a kid did it freehand in woodshop with a Dremel. Amateurs' hour. Weak attempt. HAVE to put it in a vice or lock it in and machine it. Have to control your tool. Set up a jig or something. This was all over the place. I admire the attempt and love the mod, but with a little more control of things it would have looked great instead of what we are here discussing.

[doglegg]

Love the mod and handles Q

[herbva]

It is indeed very difficult to carve a "nail nick" or "pull" into a blade freehand. I have done quite a few and never got it perfect. But, here is an interesting approach. (I haven't tried it yet.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORZkd-3Na5c

[rea1eye]

I agree with previous posts. Making the nail nick is always difficult. I tried about 2 years
ago to deepen a nail nick on a Case knife. I did not ruin it because I tried on a piece of
scrap metal before taking the tools to my blade. I asked Case to deepen it ( in my
opinion it was a manufacturer error) but they said no. I did get one of the knife mechanics
here to do it for me with good results.

Bob

[Reverand]

I have successfully deepened one nail nick, and cut one or two with a Dremel.
I have mostly been unsuccessful with it, though. I suppose I had beginner's luck at first, but can't duplicate the feat now.