dont touch that factory edge !!!!

thom, there are some like yourself for instance who do know enough about edges to know what will or what wont work and dont need to try an edge out first. for anyone new to knives, they should give the edge that came on their knife a try.
 
rubiconss said:
Man, do I hate when people hide behind bushes.
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I should try that method when my daughter wants to use the computer and I'm in foruming mode. Thanks!

richard j said:
thom, there are some like yourself for instance who do know enough about edges to know what will or what wont work and dont need to try an edge out first. for anyone new to knives, they should give the edge that came on their knife a try.
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Thanks, Richard. Actually, though, I should try out the factory edges more often as I don't know how every type of edge for every type of steel responds to every type of cutting.

For instance, one of my knives that sees landscaping fun (when the ground isn't covered in ice, of course) takes a spectactically polished edge with ease, but dulls so quickly that I've often wished it were serrated. A coarse edge; like the belted and buffed one from the factory would've been close enough.

My favorite edges to make are for chopping branches or falling through tomatoes (with a slight 1mm drag to start the fall), but those aren't the only two things I cut, so I could be limiting myself.
 
Yes. I am resisting altering factory edges now that I have the means to do so.
Especially when the knife is made by someone I know knows what they are doing like Rick Hinderer.
 
rick hinderer knows what he is doing. not what you are going to do with the knife.
 
Garand'06 said:
So, what are you saying? That an XM-18's edge isn't good enough for most everyday tasks?
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I think what he might be saying is that "good enough for most" is not something he wants to settle for (I could be wrong).

Regardless, I agree in concept with about everything here:
1. Rick knows what he is doing.
2. Rick probably does not have a clue what *I* am doing with my edges
3. Ricks edges probably are good enough for most every day tasks
4. I would probably try Rick's (?factory?) edge, but there is certainly no guarantee that I am going to keep it for what I do.
5. good enough never is...but I like to play around, and the result is not always better.
 
unit said:
I think what he might be saying is that "good enough for most" is not something he wants to settle for (I could be wrong).

Regardless, I agree in concept with about everything here:
1. Rick knows what he is doing.
2. Rick probably does not have a clue what *I* am doing with my edges
3. Ricks edges probably are good enough for most every day tasks
4. I would probably try Rick's (?factory?) edge, but there is certainly no guarantee that I am going to keep it for what I do.
5. good enough never is...but I like to play around, and the result is not always better.
Click to expand...

All true statements. Only thing I would add is (for most) the XM18 is probably seen as an extreme duty folder the edge as it is seems to be designed and ground to compliment that design element. It is sharp but not a thin slicer type edge. IMO I would be hesitant to thin the blade down and put a thin bevel on it. When I want or need a knife with that attribute I reach for one of several other knives I have that are razor/scalpel type sharp.
 
unit said:
I think what he might be saying is that "good enough for most" is not something he wants to settle for (I could be wrong).

Regardless, I agree in concept with about everything here:
1. Rick knows what he is doing.
2. Rick probably does not have a clue what *I* am doing with my edges
3. Ricks edges probably are good enough for most every day tasks
4. I would probably try Rick's (?factory?) edge, but there is certainly no guarantee that I am going to keep it for what I do.
5. good enough never is...but I like to play around, and the result is not always better.
Click to expand...

all the way ...

except 3. XM 18 wasn't created with "everyday task" in mind. sorry. the knife is meant to survive firemen's needs. i bet some compromises have been made for that ? it performs great in this environment. but not for what most ppl call every tasks.

it cuts, well, but it's not the most suited edc knife by a wide margin. would i enjoy edc'ing one ? sure. even if it hasn(t the most adequate edge/blade geometry.
 
rubiconss said:
Goes to the issue of the undertones that I personally find disturbing about this thread (and some on Forums in general) Forums are and should be about the sharing of information on common subjects which bind individuals of common interests and disparate backgrounds.
Opinions will differ and be discussed accordingly but then something goes wrong.
Somebody starts to call into question (usually without cause) some ones integrity or motivation and the whole process takes a turn.
My understanding here was that the OP started by making a very simple statement, one that I characterized as common sense (my opinion) stated about his opinion. Some agree with OP's opinion and some disagree that is where the discussion begins. Where it should not go but, ALL threads seem to go as do all arguments when someone starts to argue an untenable position ... it gets personal. If the argument is "in person" tones and volume are used as well as the verbage.
Now, we are dissecting the video like it's the Zapruder Film. Why?
Richard seems to get very good results from a certain method of sharpening. Is it my way of sharpening? No but, it doesn't change the facts. He gets Knives- Sharp. I have not heard anyone chime in here and say, "He sharpened one of my knives and it sucked".
I have heard more than one person say quite the opposite so what is issue? Seems as though there is a hidden one. Man, do I hate when people hide behind bushes.
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Good post. :thumbup:
 
pwet said:
...
except 3. XM 18 wasn't created with "everyday task" in mind. sorry. the knife is meant to survive firemen's needs. i bet some compromises have been made for that ? it performs great in this environment. but not for what most ppl call every tasks.

it cuts, well, but it's not the most suited edc knife by a wide margin. would i enjoy edc'ing one ? sure. even if it hasn(t the most adequate edge/blade geometry.
Click to expand...

There is a lot of both good AND bad in this thread, but the ONLY people who will EVER realize this are those who frequent forums such as this on and any other like it.

I have both a 3" and a 3.5" XM-18, so I do have a feel for what they can do.

That being said, there are times when a knife that is more of a slicer would be nice, but there is absolutely NOTHING in the average Joe's day that would not be able to be handled by the XM-18's stock blade. Yes, this does dovetail with the OP's initial premise but it does not take away from the fact that PWET's post is only an opinion (THE SAME AS I'VE POSTED HERE IS MY OPINION), and I would bet that RH has a good handle on what works ALL AROUND, as I'd bet that even his "target" customers use his knives for mundane tasks more often than life-and-death jobs. The blade is up to the latter, but I'll bet the EDGE is more geared towards the former.

The average user could care less about the exact angle of the edge, he/she just wants something that is usefully sharp and easy to maintain. If they can get it sharp enough FOR THEIR NEEDS via one of the cheap-ass pull thru's or any other method, it matters not a bit to them if they've changed anything as long as they can repeat whatever it was that worked for them.

For me, this all boils down to using the Wicked Edge, it is easy, fast, and completely repeatable. I've tried the EdgePro, and while I got very sharp knives, it was too awkward feeling for me and I sold it with in a week of getting it. By the same token, if a Lanksy, Gatco, WorkSharp, or Paper Wheels work for you, GREAT, have at it!

Just be aware that ANY Powered system will eat up more metal than any manual method.
 
rick puts a good edge on his knives and i have sharpened a few of his knives. i also sharpened the passaround xm and put both a v edge back on it and a convex edge. the convex edge cut a lot better from what another member told me who compared his 2 xm 18's to the passaround xm that i convexed. i think rick should offer a convex edge xm along with the v edge.
 
garand06, it all depends on who is using the system and how bad the edge is. i only work up the ammount of burr needed to get the knife sharp.
 
richard j said:
...depends on who is using the system and how bad the edge is. I only work up the amount of burr needed to get the knife sharp.
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I have zero doubt about that, but I still would stand by my original statement in regards to powered vs. manual methods.

I'll further add that my opinion above doesn't matter in regards to the original question, but rather is based on my preference for non-powered sharpening options.
 
I just figured I would post this for all the people that think you need to run out and start grinding on your blades when they are new. This is a Benchmade Stryker 9100 that I purchased new 6 years ago. It has been Carried EVERY day since. I was a Construction worker for the first 5 years of this knifes life (now Fire/EMS) so this knife saw a lot of cutting though nasty stuff. Lots of rope and things of that nature. It has NEVER been sharpened. Not once. I wouldn't have touched this thing from the factory if you payed me:

DSC_0164.jpg


DSC_0165.jpg



It is now disassembled and will be on its way to Richard for its first sharpening since it was new. Just my .02
 
MikeS1605 said:
... Construction worker for the first 5 years of this knifes life (now Fire/EMS) so this knife saw a lot of cutting though nasty stuff. Lots of rope and things of that nature. It has NEVER been sharpened. ...
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If you're saying it was still sharp, I call BS and the MOD's can ban me I don't care.

BS



BS



BS
 
Garand'06 said:
If you're saying it was still sharp, I call BS and the MOD's can ban me I don't care.

BS



BS



BS
Click to expand...


Well, from his post he said he hasn't sharpened it, not that it was sharp. I too doubt it would be sharp.

Richard, I agree with your sentiments regarding factory edges, in fact a lot of my knives still have their factory edges. I also have knives sharpened on the dmt aligner, dmt bench stones, edge pro, sharpmaker, paper wheels, and belt grinders. It all depends on what you're cutting and how much of a perfectionist you are.
 
Garand'06 said:
If you're saying it was still sharp, I call BS and the MOD's can ban me I don't care.

BS



BS



BS
Click to expand...

I never once said that it was still sharp after 6 years. As a matter of fact I went as far as to say that it was disassembled and going to be on its way to Richard insinuating it was in fact, not sharp.

I was just making a general post to the few people in this thread that insist you have to take all your knifes straight from the factory and start modifying them. My factory sharpened blade held up amazing. Thats all I was referring to. Nothing more, nothing less.
 
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