Convexing the ESEE-4

W

Wyldey

Joined
Jun 30, 2008
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I confess to being a noob, and I'm learning new stuff as I go along, been reading up on convex profiles and it occurred to be that the ESEE 4 would be a nice candidate for convexing because of how thick the blade is, wondering if anyone has done that and what your opinion on it is? Pros and Cons etc.

Thanks for reading!
 
I would absolutely do it.

First knife I convexed was a RAT-3. Then my Ranger RD6.

Go for it. There are a few tutorial on youtube.

I would recommend you use the mousepad/sandpaper technique first, or practice on cheap knives if using a belt sander.

If using a belt sander, WATCH OUT FOR THE TIP. It's easy, too easy to break it. I did :(
 
There are two ways you can do this. You can either put a full convex grind on the knife or just convex the edge. Both will improve cutting performance of you knife. Just doing the edge is relatively easy and I would recommend it. I convexed the edge of my RC-3. Here's a link to my post. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=720389

I also have a convex RC-4. I sent it to Bark River Knives and they put a full convex grind on it. It cuts wonderfully. The full reprofile would be harder to do, especially without a belt sander.
DSC01077.jpg
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Pros: Better slicing, stronger edge, easier to maintain (once you get the hang of it)

Cons: Not many. The only thing I can think of is that with a full regrind you'll lose your coating and the steel may be more susceptible to rust. Easily avoided with a light coat of mineral oil when not in use.
 
Wow!!!

smcclown05, that is a beautifully convexed and shot RC-4! :thumbup:

Considering I don't have the hardware for it quite likely it'll be mouse pad and sandpaper for the edge if I give it a go, I've seen a youtube vid done by bluntruth4u on how he convexed his Izula, looks doable :)
 
Bloody hell Smcclown, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you fork out to Bark River for them to do that?
 
Thanks for the remarks friends! As far as the the cost, I think it cost me about $40. Don't quote me on that though.

Kind of expensive, I know, but they did a great job and I was curious to see how it would perform. I'm happy with the outcome :)
 
I sharpened my 4 free hand and in the process knocked the shoulders off the bevel. Figured it couldn’t hurt anything, so I went ahead and got some 1k and 2k grit sandpaper and the mouse pad out of the office and tried my hand at convexing. It isn’t something I’m going to do to all my knives at once but as I’ve sharpened them a few times I most likely will. The edge seems excellent thus far.
 
adaman, that's exactly what I did with my RC-3. I started at 400 grit though. Then 600, 1500, 1000 and finally 2000 then strop. It's almost free (except for the paper and a little time) and I think it really improves performance.
 
smcclown05, that looks great- you definitely went to right place to get a blade convexed! How much did that thin the blade? I bet that thing cuts like a monster!
 
I convexed the edge on my RC4 immediately upon reciept. It slices and cuts far better and is easily maintained.

RAT PACK 103
 
Just wondering....bit if a noob here, but if they're so much better convexed, why don't they come like that from the factory
 
Miasma said:
Got any pics, Adaman? Sounds like I might do the same to mine!

Cheers
Click to expand...

I lost track of this thread. I can snap a pic. I might not have what many experts would consider a full convex, but I took the shoulders off the bevel and there's no shoulder to be felt with the thumbnail, just a smooth round edge.

Look at smc's thread he posted above. My 4 looks just like that. A light "smearing" of the coating at the transition to the edge and no shoulder to be seen.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=720389
 
JohnJames said:
Just wondering....bit if a noob here, but if they're so much better convexed, why don't they come like that from the factory
Click to expand...

Time I’d think. Some people still prefer a bevel. I didn’t know what the heck convexing was until I came here. You can put a bevel on any sharpener and go to work sharpening. I thought these people were on crack sharpening knives with mousepads and sandpaper. I’m not a convex-convert yet. The only one I’ve done is my 4.
 
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