BK5 and unsharpened swedge

C

captainclemmys

Joined
Jun 18, 2012
Messages
178
Friends,
I thought the V grind to the spine (or swedge) on the BK5 was for improved slicing by reducing the resistance coefficient on the blade. However, I have heard that is was left unsharpened for legal reasons. If it was left unsharpened for legal reasons that would imply that it was meant to be sharpened by the end user. I don't know. I suppose it could be sharpened, but I do not see the purpose of sharpening that feature on a camp/utility knife. I still think it was meant to reduce resistance on the blade to make it a better cutter. Ethan would know better so maybe he can elucidate for us.
Thanks
CC
 
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I believe I've seen an interview with Jerry Fisk where he explained the design. If I recall correctly, the spine was made that way to aid in processing large game, deer etc., in the field. The spine would be used to break bone or any other striking for which you would not want to use the edge. I'll see if I can find the YouTube link.
 
This makes sense, but sometimes I wish the swedge was fatter, more in line with the rest of the blade, for chopping food, to give me a more comfortable place to press down on.
 
Well you could grind it down a bit. It would shorten the swedge. But would thicken it the further you ground it down. Just keep it cool if you do grind it. And take pics if you can for show n tell.
 
That is right about the knife on both accounts. The main purpose of the top swedge was to reduce the drag while cutting but as a bonus I used it to "break" bones that I did not want my primary edge on. You just have to be reasonable about which bones.
Glad you guys like it. Not sexy like some knives but it is a centuries old work horse.
 
There you go, straight from the horse's mouth. I personally think it has an elegance missing from so many modern designs.
 
fisk said:
That is right about the knife on both accounts. The main purpose of the top swedge was to reduce the drag while cutting but as a bonus I used it to "break" bones that I did not want my primary edge on. You just have to be reasonable about which bones.
Glad you guys like it. Not sexy like some knives but it is a centuries old work horse.
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So, you wouldn't use it to break the hip bone on an elephant? Good to know.

Personally though it is as sexy as any production knife.
 
Chameleon, that's because you seem to have good sense. Beckerheads all seem to know knives well and how to use them well. That's what Bob and I miss about seeing your folks again at Ethans.
 
tradewater said:
I personally think it has an elegance missing from so many modern designs.
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Agreed. I find the combination of the elegant blade, and the more crude/blocky handle really esthetical to the eye. Two great functionalities coming together. I love my 5.
 
fisk said:
Chameleon, that's because you seem to have good sense. Beckerheads all seem to know knives well and how to use them well. That's what Bob and I miss about seeing your folks again at Ethans.
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I dunno about all that... I'm sure there are more than a couple here that can argue that with you!
 
Jerry Fisk!

I met him at Blade this year and he was really one of the nicest guys I met there. I think we probably spent 5 minutes or more just talking about the BK5 and Ethan and his beautiful knife that he had on the table. Really a great guy and one of the highlights of my time at Blade.
 
Post that video here. Makes me want a BK5:

[video=youtube;p0RHtnkagz0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0RHtnkagz0&app=desktop[/video]
 
CAM00033_zpsd1aazpta.jpg


One of the photos that Evan and I took at Blade show
 
fisk said:
That is right about the knife on both accounts. The main purpose of the top swedge was to reduce the drag while cutting but as a bonus I used it to "break" bones that I did not want my primary edge on. You just have to be reasonable about which bones.
Glad you guys like it. Not sexy like some knives but it is a centuries old work horse.
Click to expand...

Jerry,
Thanks for providing clarification. I was not expecting to see you on this thread, but I am glad that I did. I am a long time admirer of your work...great knives! At any rate, it is good to know that the swedge on the BK5 was intended to benefit the user in more than one way.
Thanks
CC
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
Agreed. I find the combination of the elegant blade, and the more crude/blocky handle really esthetical to the eye. Two great functionalities coming together. I love my 5.
Click to expand...

I'm not pitting one against the other with what I'm about to say here, but for me, my 5 is the best big knife in my bunch. It is certainly the most used (other than my 24). My 5 is a way better cutter than my 9 is, for sure.
 
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