I finished the YK job this morning. It looks like the YKLE almost.





With one BIG difference:

Ready to go in Rainwalker leather.

Vic, That looks absolutely fantastic!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Thinking of thinner blades, I just scored one of those Skinny ASH's. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Aught to be quite a contrast to the Fat ASH I already have. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My 2007 ASH-1 SE is thin. The thick one should chop better. My S6 will out chop my ASH-1 SE. But the thin one makes a great slicer and mini-machete. I noticed that the 9 micron edge on the YKLE looked better than the 15 micron on the YKCG, so I found an old 9 micron belt and "fixed" it. Ooooh is it sharp!


Not perfect, but I can live with it.

Great work and photos Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Good job. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Looks awesome once again Vic.

you're not alone.

I don't wish I had every knife Horndog has but I do wish I had his skill with a belt sander. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

My sander isn't the best, but I'm used to it. While I had all the stuff out on the porch, I went ahead and stripped my Swamp Rat Howling Rat. It has a lot more rough steel than the Yard Keeper did.


You can see the differences between the HR and YK well in this shot. The HR has more of a choil and more of a drop point shape. It has a saber grind, too. Of course, the steel is SR101. They are both fine, rugged, easy carrying knives.

I like all my Howlers and Keepers. The bottom three will fit in my Rainwalker horizontal carry sheath.


Guess which one is the YKLE?

Excellent pics HD... Wow that thing is a razor blade now....

ME TOO! Vic...HELP! I got my new Kalamazoo 1x42 belt sander a few weeks ago and started practicing. My problem is that I rounded off the point on one of my RMD's...not REAL bad but a little and it bugs me. What's the fix?

Don't feel bad, tango 6. I've rounded more points than I care to admit. Here is one thing that helps. Get the very finest grit belt you have and carefully work the area from the curve to the point, keeping the belt as close to perpendicular to the edge as possible. Try to maintain the same edge angle you had on the straight part of the edge. To do the point right is the hardest part. You must tilt the knife handle out toward you in a gradual sweep as you approach the point. I usually establish a pivot point where I begin this gradual moving of the handle toward me. Remember that your goal is to maintain the same angle you had at the straight part or even a bit more obtuse. Practice this move with the belt not moving (sander off) until you get the feel of it.