Modified Stretch

26.2Madness · #1

It only took my 1 day to modify my new CF Stretch. I thought it was a waste to have CF scales if they were hidden behind the Peel-Ply, so I sanded and polished.

Murdoc · #2

Looks cool and like a clean work. Congrats! Although you have to sacrifice most of the grip of the original, I admit it is a lot fancier that way. Which (paper?) grit did you use?

Dennis

Evil D · #3

Awwww....wait till Paul hears about this lol

ChrisR · #4

Very nice indeed - that's my favourite kind of CF :D

korbiaka · #5

If this was the way they came new I would have gotten one of these over my blue ZDP FRN model.

The Deacon · #6

Very nice job. Definitely makes the CF pattern stand out and, given the extremely secure grip the shape of the Stretch's handle provides, the reduction in traction is a more acceptable trade off than it might be on a model with a less structured handle. With that finish is somewhat resembles the CF on the original Klotzli C22 Walkers.

26.2Madness · #7

Murdoc wrote:Looks cool and like a clean work. Congrats! Although you have to sacrifice most of the grip of the original, I admit it is a lot fancier that way. Which (paper?) grit did you use?

Dennis

Even though there is now less grip, the handle is so well designed, and with the added thumb jimping and choil jimping, grip is still good.

I used 220 grit sandpaper to remove the peel-ply texture and them 320 grit wet sandpaper to smooth it out. Only took a few minutes to do.

gull wing · #8

I feel as you do 26.2. Why hide the beauty? It looks good.
By the way I did the same with mine. Plus I cut flutes in it for a tiny bit of traction.

JayTeeEmEm · #9

Great Knife, great price, great mod.
Jealous...

gbelleh · #10

Oooooo! That's nice. I will have to try that! I like my CF Stretch, but I'd prefer it to look a bit dressier. I have an FRN version if I need more traction. Plus, my CF came new with a scratch across one of the scales, and this would take care of that too.

Are there any precautions to take when sanding CF? Dust, etc?

gull wing · #11

If sanding by hand(no machine) there will be minimal dust. Wear a dust mask if you are Paranoid. It isn't radioactive.

jzmtl · #12

Do it outside when it's windy, and stay upwind.

unit · #13

That is a swell looking knife. I am diggin' my modified FRN Stretch...some time I might pick this version up. (like you I had mind a very short time before altering it...in fact I bought it fully intending to reprofile it immediately).

The Stretch really is a refined package...I am not sure why it took me so long to discover it?

26.2Madness · #14

gbelleh wrote:Are there any precautions to take when sanding CF? Dust, etc?

I just hand sanded mine. Other than my hands turning a bit black with CF particles, there was none (or very little) airborne dust. I also wet sanded the CF scales so the water also help eliminate any dust.

It only takes a few minutes of sanding to complete the project, so even if there is dust in the air, you will not be exposed for very long.

anti-torsion · #15

26.2Madness wrote:I just hand sanded mine. Other than my hands turning a bit black with CF particles, there was none (or very little) airborne dust. I also wet sanded the CF scales so the water also help eliminate any dust.

It only takes a few minutes of sanding to complete the project, so even if there is dust in the air, you will not be exposed for very long.

The issue comes from it going into your lungs. Even a little bit can cause respiratory problems.

Wear at least a dust mask when sanding this stuff then make sure you go outside and try to get off as much as you can. Having it in your hair then taking a shower can lead to particles in your eyes etc. Wet sending is a good idea so long as you keep it wet.

To the OP, looks great!

HotSoup · #16

WARNING
If anyone is planning on sanding or polishing or modifying Carbon Fiber in ANY way, you need to protect yourself.

An acquaintance of mine works for Bombardier (they make airplanes) and was doing work on expensive private aircraft with Carbon Fiber panels inside. She had to wear a respirator, and cover all her clothing as to not breathe in the dust particles while working, or at home.

Once they go in, they don't come out.

Evil D · #17

So if i scratch up my factory smooth CF handle, can i wet sand them out like this? How often and how many times can you do this? Is there like a gel layer or something that you'd eventually sand through?

The Deacon · #18

You definitely should wear some kind of mask when sanding just about any scale material. But, if all you're doing is removing the peel ply texture, there's probably little or no CF involved. I'd bet the texture part is pure resin. You might hit the CF fabric when cleaning up the edges, but that would probably be it.