GI Tanto modding

[vortex]

I took the plunge and cut off that annoying top guard of my GI Tanto to make it more comfortable for various tasks. Although the range of my tools is limited (angle grinder, dremel, file, sandpapers) I'm satisfied with the result. Here are the pics:

Unfortunately I cut the wrapping of handle a bit with the grinder, so sooner or later I'll have to rewrap it (any recommendation appreciated). Painting is still in progress.
What do you think?

 

[Ankerson]

Cool mod.

 

[Leatherface]

i like it better now!

 

[12Bravo]

I did the same thing about a year ago. That top guard was a real pain in the butt and it prevented many grips. I also spray painted mine a different color and re-wrapped the handle.
I leave this in my car now as an emregnecy blade. If it ever gets stolen I am only out 15 bucks.
This is a great little blade to mod, many different options.

Best,
Bravo

 

[A.L.]

I hate top guards myself. Pretty much no use at all for those.
And nice mod!

 

[vortex]

Thanks!

Bravo:
Did you remove the original paint before spray painting?

 

[12Bravo]

vortex,

Yes I removed the original paint with some gel stripper. I used some coarse sand paper to sand it down a bit, cleaned it up with some carburetor cleaner and spray painted it with some flat patio furniture paint.

Best,
Noel

 

[babakanoosh45]

Very nice Mod. I purchased a ER Shrapnel with the same mod. A buddy of mine has a Shrapnel that is stock and I hate the guard stud on the top. Funny how it's apples and oranges from person to person.

 

[vortex]

vortex,

Yes I removed the original paint with some gel stripper. I used some coarse sand paper to sand it down a bit, cleaned it up with some carburetor cleaner and spray painted it with some flat patio furniture paint.

Best,
Noel

I'll try that, thanks!

Very nice Mod. I purchased a ER Shrapnel with the same mod. A buddy of mine has a Shrapnel that is stock and I hate the guard stud on the top. Funny how it's apples and oranges from person to person.

Wow, that Shrapnel looks awsome!
Was the third thumb groove formed from the remaining of the top guard?

 

[babakanoosh45]

I'll try that, thanks!




Wow, that Shrapnel looks awsome!
Was the third thumb groove formed from the remaining of the top guard?

Yessir!!!

Here's a stock photo.

 

[Confederate]

The G.I. Tanto suffers from being butt-ugly. For whatever reason, Lynn Thompson seemed bent on using the shape from Mick Strider's awful looking combat tanto. And as for "modding," why did both knives come with false edges on the top? I can understand the CS knife not having it (it was only twenty bucks), but that's the only "mod" I made on my G.I. Tanto — I sharpened the edge. If I decided to paint mine, I'd spray paint it brown with streaks of dark green.

Taking the top guard off is a great idea.

 

[Zander131]

The G.I. Tanto suffers from being butt-ugly. For whatever reason, Lynn Thompson seemed bent on using the shape from Mick Strider's awful looking combat tanto. And as for "modding," why did both knives come with false edges on the top? I can understand the CS knife not having it (it was only twenty bucks), but that's the only "mod" I made on my G.I. Tanto — I sharpened the edge. If I decided to paint mine, I'd spray paint it brown with streaks of dark green.

Taking the top guard off is a great idea.

Im still a knife newbie, but i think the false edge makes it pierce better than one with a flat spine, and it legal in areas where double edged blades are prohibited. And if your somewhere double edged knifes are legal, you can just sharpen it up yourself.

Oh yea, the mod looks great. much better without the top guard. :thumbup:

 

[Confederate]

False edges are okay in folding blade knives, but as long as it's going in a sheath, I'd like it to be sharp. Of course, there's only so much you can do with a false edge that isn't ground specifically for an edge. Double edges also make knives unmarketable in states where double edges are illegal.

 

[fishface5]

Here's one I did a while back - took off both guards and shortened the handle, much nicer to work with IMHO

 

[vortex]

Pics please!

Here's one I did a while back - took off both guards and shortened the handle, much nicer to work with IMHO

 

[vortex]

I managed to find a proper spray paint and a matching colored paracord, so I decided to continue my project:

The final result:

Opinions?

 

[type00rev]

Vortex,
I don't really have any love for CS, but I think your mod and work looks good....nice job. What type of double sided adhesive tape did you use?

 

[Joben]

Good call on removing the guard.
I did the same thing with my Ka-Bar tanto.
Soooo much better now.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

Thumbs up on your mod, that's the way it should be in the first place.
Just curious as to anyones opinion on nthe strength of this knife, said
to be 4mm thick if I am not mistaken, is it 3/16" and does it flex much?

 

[vortex]

Thank you for the thumb ups!

Vortex,
I don't really have any love for CS, but I think your mod and work looks good....nice job. What type of double sided adhesive tape did you use?

I used a simple double sided adhesive tape (brand: "Ulith") because the wrapping will hold the leather in its place anyway.

Good call on removing the guard.
I did the same thing with my Ka-Bar tanto.
Soooo much better now.

Yes, the top guard is totaly useless at a work knife.

Thumbs up on your mod, that's the way it should be in the first place.
Just curious as to anyones opinion on nthe strength of this knife, said
to be 4mm thick if I am not mistaken, is it 3/16" and does it flex much?

It's 4 mm thick (I think that's less than 3/16"). I haven't tried any prying with it yet. I like its slimmer size, because it's easier to carry in my backpack.