Another great job by STR: Re-modified Pacific Salt

Kaizen1

Kaizen1

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Joined
Jan 4, 2006
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6,258
Got my Pacific Salt back from STR after asking him to further modify the wave and tip. It waves perfectly and the tip is exactly what I was looking for. STR, I really appreciate you being so generous with your time (again:o ).

Here's the 1st time around:
Wave_on_the_Pacific.jpg


2nd time:
Wave_on_the_Pacific_2nd_try.jpg


The 1st the knife waved pretty good, but I think that my slighty baggy pants made it feel a little akward. This time it works perfectly, AND it looks better than the original PS IMHO.
 
Very Nice! Love the new blade profile! With the amount of spine he removed does the blade seem less ridgid (stiff)?
 
Looks great, and the blade profile is much nicer. Too bad the spyder had to get cut in half, but it looks like it was worth it.
 
NJ,

I thought with the amount of metal being taken off, I would notice a big difference, but I really don't. I guess I would have to hold a regular one at the same time to really notice. I did notice that it was stiff when I first recieved the knife, but I sprayed WD-40 and it doesn't seem stiff at all now. The stiffness didn't seem to be a result of the blade weight.

TF,

Yeah, as you can see from the 1st attempt, STR was trying to spare the spyder, but it was my call to go over it. The feeling of the wave seems noticeably smoother than the first time around. Besides, I still have the spyder on the handle:).
 
Glad you like it. I generally try to keep things esthetically pleasing while creating something that works, hence the first attempt. Obviously the second attempt was a less conservative approach but with the owners permission I don't mind doing that. I'd never get that aggressive with it to where it changes a factory logo or writing unless it was discussed prior to the act first with the owner of the knife.

It does look better. Now you just need to get rid of that bright yeller handle.:barf: Sorry, just my opinion. I don't much care for yellow but there is no loosing that one huh?:D

I thought the knife had a rather tip heavy balance when factory. This mod seems to balance it out better in the hand too.

STR
 
Yeah, my original intent for it was for water activities. I also figured that in a last ditch self defense scenario, it might be easier to explain that I really keep it for utility purposes. Other than that, I'd prefer the black handle also. Thanks STR!!!
 
Really nice lines on the regrind, especially through the tip. Did you jig that or is it freehand?

-Cliff
 
All free hand on that one.

STR
 
I used to use zircon belts but have switched to ceramic 2x42 and 1x30 belts now, that cut faster and seem to have less heat build up also. I can't say they last as long but while they last they sure work great. I use these to initially get the shape ground out and dip the blade in water often to keep it cool. Then I go to a water cooled handpiece with a Mizzy Heatless wheel stone mounted in it to do the Wave mod. These are left over dental wheels made to cut fast and accurately on precious metals and teeth with very little heat. Heatless is a bit decieving as they do produce some heat but it is not enough to even make the blades get luke warm, especially with the water spray I use.

Once I get it where I like it I then as a final finish use a high speed super fine diamond burr sold by Premier dental supply called 'two stripers'. These are small friction grip dental handpiece burrs like we used in the mouth. I've found them to be quite handy for a lot of craft work too though. They put a nice even finish on the edges of even the hardest steels and give it that final crisp look I like, and they are known for cutting fast with less heat also. Fast isn't quite accurate though. The high speed dental handpiece I use with one of these F/G burrs in it is cooking along at 500,000 rpms from its air driven turbine. The control is about akin to writing with a fine tip writing instrument.

STR
 
Roughly how much time would it take to do the tip mod, just rough to shape, less than ten minutes or less than half an hour? Do you sketch out the outline on the knife or just grind by judgement?

-Cliff
 
I most always draw my profile ideas on the blade with a sharpy maker first to map out where I'm going. (ultra fine) Sometimes if I don't like it I'll wipe that off with alcohol and try again. Not counting the drawing time to plan out the grinds, the whole Wave mod start to finish is about 30 to 35 minutes for me usually. I could do it faster but taking your time and not heating up the blade on the ceramic or zircon belts is recommended. Some that don't require a complete reprofile of the blade, like say a BenchMade HK34 or HK29 take lots less time obviously because all it requires is a notch in one small spot on the blade to create the Wave, but I've found that most of the Spyderco Waves are going to take longer because more of the blade is involved in the mod to enable the profile to lower some so the Wave sits at the right height to catch the pocket properly.

STR
 
Thanks for the details, again really nice work. I have to say again it is nice to see someone actually approach Emerson and not just "adapt" the design somehow to work around his idea. Does anyone know if there are any legal issues with such devices yet? The thing which I like is that it is easy to both wave or not wave if desired. Plus it actually has utility as a prying focus point.

-Cliff
 
I don't know of any legal pursuits over it but I know its been a touchy subject. Apparently Demko has a patent on the removable one and Emerson on the one built into the blade. Thats really all I know about it.

I hear they open up beers pretty good but not being a drinker anymore I couldn't say I've had first hand use of one for that.

Thanks for the compliments.

STR
 
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