690 Enduro Forum

Technical => Sweet Mods and Accessories => Topic started by: truck11 on April 06, 2015, 10:15:18 pm

Title: Knobby Knife
Post by: truck11 on April 06, 2015, 10:15:18 pm
Wanted to share my experience with the Knobby Knife http://www.knobbyknife.com/   a tool to help 'freshen up' worn tires by putting a sharp leading edge on the knobbies.
First, I would like to say that I got one a while back and it didn't really work, got frustrated with it and just put it away to collect dust.  Last week I was talking to a riding buddy and the topic of tires came up.  Hmmm, I remember I have this thing called a Knobby Knife!  I knew mine didn't work (didn't get hot enough), so I called the company to see what they suggested or could do for me.  This is a small family owned business and the next thing I know, a new one was in the mail, gratis.  2 days later, I'm cutting tires!
This is my first real attempt and I don't think I did too badly - didn't take long either.   Going trail riding this weekend so I will see how well they do and hold up!
YES - it does cut some of the knobby off, but you gain the sharp biting edge.
Tire is a Michelin M12 - see my original post about the tire here http://690enduro.createaforum.com/tires/120100x18-tire/?message=1539;PHPSESSID=c9f7a3debb81915c461c854fa46e2af3 (http://690enduro.createaforum.com/tires/120100x18-tire/?message=1539;PHPSESSID=c9f7a3debb81915c461c854fa46e2af3)
 
(pictures are not great, sorry)

Rounded edge
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y405/jhaddad2/knobby%20Knife/364F35B1-B4C8-4B48-8B6A-00AEE7A08B9F_zpszzvsgtru.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/jhaddad2/media/knobby%20Knife/364F35B1-B4C8-4B48-8B6A-00AEE7A08B9F_zpszzvsgtru.jpg.html)

First few attempts at cutting a sharp leading edge
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y405/jhaddad2/knobby%20Knife/24F1AA57-9EB9-4AE3-9045-754BD144C5FA_zpskyzejwsc.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/jhaddad2/media/knobby%20Knife/24F1AA57-9EB9-4AE3-9045-754BD144C5FA_zpskyzejwsc.jpg.html)
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y405/jhaddad2/knobby%20Knife/D9AD0C03-CA48-41A1-B47E-00B47EC991D8_zps4pkty15y.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/jhaddad2/media/knobby%20Knife/D9AD0C03-CA48-41A1-B47E-00B47EC991D8_zps4pkty15y.jpg.html)

100w soldering iron type tool with a sharp blade that gets hot enough to cut knobbies
(http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y405/jhaddad2/knobby%20Knife/20C1C4F0-05C8-4729-BC06-DAABFCB93642_zpslbdbltvt.jpg) (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/jhaddad2/media/knobby%20Knife/20C1C4F0-05C8-4729-BC06-DAABFCB93642_zpslbdbltvt.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Knobby Knife
Post by: Guymcfly on April 07, 2015, 06:27:06 am
I bought 1 a couple of years back. My riding area is hard on tires, lots of rocks and gravel. Main thing is to give the knife plenty of time to heat up. A good 20 minutes is what I do. Makes cutting the rubber very easy.
Also the more you use it the better you get. I now find I cut away very little rubber to sharpen the knobs up.
Title: Re: Knobby Knife
Post by: rastawheel on June 10, 2016, 10:55:01 am
I have been using one for years now. You can only cut a tire once or twice and then the knob is too weak and they start ripping off. I have found that cutting a small layer off the top helps give all four side a sharper edge.