Coated Spine - Expert Advice

T

TaintedWisdom

Joined
Nov 20, 2012
Messages
13
Hi,
Living in NYC where most knives are illegal to own or buy is hard to learn or get advice and why I could use your expert advice.

I'm interested in buying a Tops Pathfinder knife because of is size, shape, weight, and combination I will be using of a saw but have a question about the coated spine. Can a firesteel be used with the coated spine of this knife? If not can it be removed by sanding it down and would this make it work with a firesteel? Is the spine of this knife flat or 90 degrees to give it the nice sharp edge for the firesteel? Being is a 1095 carbon steel knife, can it be used as flint and steel if coated?

My other knife choice is the Esee 4, but the same question apply as is coated.

Thank you and I appreciate any advice.
 
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The coating will prohibit it being used as a ferro rod scraper or for use with flint. A lot of people remove the coating and try to "square" the spine (sometimes just in a small area) to give it a sharp edge with which to scrape the rod. I believe many use sandpaper or a belt sander, but I haven't done it myself so I'm only repeating what I've read. I have no clue about the pathfinder spine, but most folks who use the spine for scraping a rod seem to want it very flat, though I have seen at least one filed at a 45 degree angle from the rest of the spine. I believe a sharp edge is really all that's needed. Take care.
 
Thanks for the reply.
I was thinking of using sand paper and a diamond lansky file for the spine.

If the coating is removed from only the spine, does it work as flint and steel?

Is it bad for the knife to partially remove the coating? Could rust build under a powder coating?

Thanks.
 
I remove the coating totally from most of my knives. If the spine is not completely 90 degrees then put it in a vise and file until square. The sharper the spine the better.
 
I've never put a knife in a vice but I will see if I can find a video with someone sharpening the spine. I can get sandpaper and I have a lansky sharpener but want to do a nice job. Which sandpaper grits should I get?
 
Here's the easy method I use to square a spine.

I place good quality emory paper (320 grit for me) on a flat surface like a glass pane or marble counter top and I just drag the knife's spine across it towards myself. Do this slowly to maintain control of how the spine sits flat against the sand paper. Repeat until you have a squared spine with clean right angles to the blade, and you're now ready to strike a firesteel with it.

Maybe 5 minutes worth of work if your knife didn't start out with a completely rounded spine. Done right, it's easier to get a squared spine than using vices and files.
 
Thanks a lot, really appreciate the help. I bought the tops pathfinder knife and should receive it soon. If the spine isn't flat I will use an emory paper as you suggested. How do you hold down the paper on the surface?
 
Wrap the sandpaper around a file or if you don't own one go to a store that sells paint and get a couple of stir sticks. In gunsmithing we use these a lot with sandpaper glued to them. They work just like a very fine file and keep the surface flat. I would suggest 320 grit wet or dry paper.
 
Thanks again guys.
I've never used a wet sandpaper but would that help with then steel heating up as I heard sanding a knife could temper it.

What you guys think about doing a notch on the spine of the knife for the firesteel? Does it weaken a knife like the Tops Pathfinder Knife? How would you go about doing the notch, what tools are used?

Thanks.
 
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