Shortening the blade length of a knife

[SteadyD]

I recently bought a Spyderco Pacific Salt 2 with a blade length measured by Spyderco as 3.76 inches. There is a way to measure the length that goes over 4 inches and my state laws limit blade length to 4 inches. I bought one and reduced the blade length so that even the least generous measurement would still come in under 4 inches.

I used 60 grit sandpaper and an extra coarse DMT diamond benchstone and was pleased with the results. After reducing the blade length I finished and chamfered the spine with a fine ceramic rod. The project took about 2 hours and I took care to maintain the original shape of the blade (similar to a sheepsfoot) as I really like blades with this general profile for everyday usage. The first photo is the before and the second photo is the after. I was very pleased with the end result and my confidence in modifying blade shape and length has grown.

 

[Spats McGee]

Looks good!

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I like your version of the tip better.

 

[entropy]

I've done it unintentionally a few times....

 

[Speedo66]

I recently bought a Spyderco Pacific Salt 2 with a blade length measured by Spyderco as 3.76 inches. There is a way to measure the length that goes over 4 inches and my state laws limit blade length to 4 inches. I bought one and reduced the blade length so that even the least generous measurement would still come in under 4 inches.

I used 60 grit sandpaper and an extra coarse DMT diamond benchstone and was pleased with the results. After reducing the blade length I finished and chamfered the spine with a fine ceramic rod. The project took about 2 hours and I took care to maintain the original shape of the blade (similar to a sheepsfoot) as I really like blades with this general profile for everyday usage. The first photo is the before and the second photo is the after. I was very pleased with the end result and my confidence in modifying blade shape and length has grown.

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Nice job on the tip.

I've also got that Kershaw tool in the second photo, seems good quality for the price.

 

[DDeegs]

Nicely done

 

[AK Hunter]

I do that with my knives every now & then when I snap the tip off of the blade by doing things I shouldn't be doing.
I just grind it back down & put the edge back on then polish it back up.

 

[Bwana John]

I've done it unintentionally a few times....

Yep, Spiderco extra pointy to "safety sheepfoot".... and I like the new point much better.

 

[SteadyD]

Thanks folks. I have a Dremel that could have done the job much quicker but I didn’t want to take a chance of overheating the steel and ruining the heat treat.

This is my second blade alteration and while it does take a lot of work by hand, the results have been rewarding.

 

[JN01]

The easiest way to shorten a blade is to let someone borrow it. Doesn't usually come out as nice as yours though.

 

[HPJeep]

I've been looking for an EDC fixed blade knife and found a couple that I really like but the blade is too long. Envy y'all's ability to shorten them with factory-looking results.

 

[SteadyD]

I've been looking for an EDC fixed blade knife and found a couple that I really like but the blade is too long. Envy y'all's ability to shorten them with factory-looking results.

I’m borderline incompetent. If I can do it, I guarantee you can as well. If you are using sandpaper, it’s dang near impossible to “over do it” because it’s so slow going.

There are also competent people out there who can do it for you without much cost. I would just doublecheck that they are being careful to not overheat the blade during the process.

 

[ms6852]

Whatever you did I can't tell what it is, so you did a hell of a job.

 

[SteadyD]

Whatever you did I can't tell what it is, so you did a hell of a job.

Thanks! I ended up removing approximately 1/4 inch of length.