Bailout blade swap?

[Myztro]

I know some of you will think I’m crazy because of the concerns with Benchmade’s 3V heat treatment controversy, but I would really like the 3V blade on the new aluminum frame. Has anyone tried this? Are the blades swappable?

 

[Silent H]

Benchmade changed the heat treatment on their 3V to achieve a higher hardness.

The blades are almost definitely swappable, the changes to the handle shouldn't affect the blade.

 

[fishface5]

Gotta say that if you carry and use the aluminum frame the green wears off on the edges FYI

 

[JonesE]

How about another alternative. I did a scale swap and replaced the pommel with a geared back spacer from Rock Scale Designs. It would be more cost effective than buying two knives to do a swap. The titanium would also be more durable than the aluminum Benchmade scales.

 

[Myztro]

Benchmade changed the heat treatment on their 3V to achieve a higher hardness.

The blades are almost definitely swappable, the changes to the handle shouldn't affect the blade.

Thanks! I did see that they improved the heat treat so that’s good but hard to know if you’re getting the most recent unless you buy new. Either way I think the 3V makes more sense with stronger handles while the M4 edge retention would still pay off on a lighter knife.

 

[Myztro]

How about another alternative. I did a scale swap and replaced the pommel with a geared back spacer from Rock Scale Designs. It would be more cost effective than buying two knives to do a swap. The titanium would also be more durable than the aluminum Benchmade scales.

Absolutely! That would be the solution if the scales were available Don’t suppose you’re looking to part with that one for the right deal? If so, DM me and I bet we can come to a nice arrangement!

 

[115Italian]

…I think the 3V makes more sense with stronger handles while the M4 edge retention would still pay off on a lighter knife.

This is exactly what I’ve been thinking. I just got the m4 version and already have the 3v version (with the updated blade).

Did you ever do the swap?

 

[Myztro]

I didn’t do the swap because the very kind “JonesE” above was generous enough to sell me the modified version with titanium scales above. It was well done and I still have that knife in my regular rotation. My only issue is that I’m not a tanto blade fan but this knife has made it grow on me.

 

[fishface5]

Belt grinder!

 

[Myztro]

Belt grinder!

If it was just cutting a nib off a Shaman or a flipper delete I might actually have done something. The fact that it is the actual blade edge means that grinding will probably impact the blade temper where edge retention and toughness matter most. I don’t want to have issues with brittleness and chipping so alas I’m stuck with tanto. I am moving next month to Michigan just a little ways from Way of Knife though, so I might break down and see if I can have it professionally modified some day!