All About Pocket Knives

As the title indicates, this is a new experience for me - my first "customization" of an existing knife. I love giving old things a new lease on life - which is why I have made so many knives out of old files and circular saw blades. And although I suspect a good many knife makers start out by customizing existing knives, for some reason I have never done so before.

Then I happened to obtain an old Hawkbill made by Camillus, and decided to have a look and see what I could do. The knife had been used and not kindly - the blade had been badly sharpened and it looked like it had had an unkind run in with a bench grinder or some such. I wanted to restore/customize it, give it a new lease on life - but without killing the character it has.

Unfortunately I had already taken the knife apart and started re-shaping the blade when the flash bulb popped and I thought it might be an idea to take some before and after pics...
Here I had just taken the knife apart and started re-shaping the blade. Note the grind marks on the blade:






And here's how it turned out:



I re-profiled, cleaned, and re-handled with Wenge. I also removed the locking mechanism, so it is UK Legal as the blade is 74mm from bolster to tip with a choil to tip measurement of 64mm (cutting edge). I replaced all the pins with stainless steel and I shortened the body a little to fit with the slightly shortened blade, as can be seen here where it is next to a full size Hawkbill:



I also centered the blade:



Next to it's cousin, folded:



And seeing as it was the first one I did, and as I did not want any misunderstanding that it is an "original" Camillus, I etched it accordingly. Interestingly enough, the Camillus Product Number for the Hawkbill was also #1...



And finally, a view from the top:

Nice work.

Magnificent job,impressive work.

Nice job Those new handles sure do make a difference

Looks great Willem !

Absolutely beautiful Willem!!

Nice job Willem!
I can tell you know your way around a shop & tools!

Very good work.

I really like the new profile you put on the blade. For some reason, it just grabs me. Nice job.

Thank you for the kind words gentlemen - especially as I know some of you are pretty good at this kind of thing too....

Jerry, the shape was inspired by a pic I saw of a Kutmaster Jack (I think) - I'll try and find it and post it here.

Nice transition! Ditching those plastic handles was instinctual, wasn't it!
It looks great... nice work, and I mean it. Not just blowing smoke!

The blade profile kinda reminds me of a maze knife.

Is that hawk bill knife legal over there?

..... Joe

Thanks for the kind words Joe - glad you like it! Over here in South Africa where I am, the Hawkbill is legal, no problem. I just made it UK Legal because a good many of my clients are over there and I'll be putting the knife up for sale.

This is your first rehab? Wow, nice work!

Way to put new life in a old knife.

Glenn

Great work, I like the re-shape of the blade, reminds me of a Kukri. Well done !

Yep, she's a fine piece of work. In case it hasn't been said, i'll tell ya what so many told me. Once you start this knife mechanicin' stuff, your gonna have a hard time stoppin'!! You'll be trackin' down every junker you can find, just to see what you can make out of it.
But it's alot of fun, so enjoy. You're off to a great start!!
WB

Glenn, yes it is my first rehab but I have made quite a few new folders so I guess that helps. But I do appreciate your comments - having seen what you can do, I take them as a compliment!

Toejammer, it kind of developed that way - I could only adjust the blade so much and then had to play with the shape - but you are right - it does remind one of the Kukri.

WB, you know it - I am already scanning eBay etc looking for junkers..... I would love it if this could become like a paying sideline to my other knife making activities. I doubt it will ever be very lucrative, but much would depend on the kind of price one could ask for this.

Found it. Here is the pic of the Kutmaster that gave me the idea for the blade shape.

I think that is a worn down hawkbill pruner, not a factory blade pattern.

I think you are probably right - but I was glad of the "inspiration" none the less!