EDIT: modifying a MountainManDu.

coolbreezy37

coolbreezy37

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Aug 28, 2021
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I recently got an unused MountainManDu off the exchange. It’s an original run in SR77 and is .280 thick. I’ve wanted a good Bussekin chopper for a while now and supposedly this is one of the toughest that was made. I have 2 questions about it; does anyone know the weight of this blade, and how easy does SR77 sharpen? Thanks.

EDIT: found the weight, about 25 oz. Still need some sharpening insight.
 
From what I know, and I’m no metallurgist, Sr-77 is a Busse-modified S7 shock steel. I’ve used S7 in a previous robotics R&D job, and that stuff is TOUGH. Basically jackhammer bit steel. Plus Busse magic.

Ref: http://forums.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/47937/1/S7_VS_SR77.html

So basically, Superman-tough, but may not hold an edge quite as well as SR-101. Good quality in a chopper! The MMD is a great design, IMO. For versatility, I think I like the straight profile better than the recurve of the Eraticator, but I don’t actually own a MMD. I have an SR-77 Eraticator and enjoy it.
 
I've got that same knife, I think it sharpens like SR 101. The grind on mine was thick, just out behind the edge. I worked on it for a couple hours on my KME and hit an apex at 30 dps.
 
Did yours come with a sheath? Gotta get one for mine still.
 
I definitely like it. It's seen very limited woods time because I haven't gotten a sheath for it..
I'm really good at buying knives, not the best at getting sheaths.
 
Got the MountainManDu today. Gotta say I’m impressed with the weight and the feel of the handle. Love the blade shape, not a fan of the coating. Has anyone stripped a MountainManDu?
 
I've never stripped one but I have a CS INfI MMD with factory satin finish in the for sale forum. I have a bunch of photos of it if your just looking for pics of a satin MMD.
 
FAL'ER said:
And I really want less than 30 dps for the edge angle
Click to expand...
Semi finished the Edge angle on the MMD sitting at about 20 dps. About an hour and a half of careful honing with a Fallkniven DC4. About another half hour and she’ll be done. After I get the edge angle to where I want it, I’ll get some stropping done using 400, 800, and 1200 grit sandpaper on a mousepad.
 
So I renamed my thread. I’m quite smitten with my MountainManDu. I love the handle, forward weight, legendary durability, and primitive “sandbar fight Bowie” looks. This particular MountainManDu was untouched and never used, but I bought to use it. I modifying it to suit my taste. The edge angle was very obtuse and I wasn’t a fan.

Im in the process of reprofiling the edge angle by hand. I’m using only a Fallkniven DC4 and sandpaper and a mousepad. So far I’m about 80% done with the edge. Im sitting about 20 dps (give or take). The edge is where I want it in terms of angle. I’ve starting stropping the edge using 400 grit sandpaper. So far so good.

Tomorrow I’m going hit it with a 800 grit. The edge is starting to convex a little, which is what I want. After I’m done with the 800 grit, I’m going to finalize it using 1200 grit. After the edge is complete, I’m going to strip that god awful black coating. That’s probably going to be the most involved process. I’m going to show the final product when it’s all said and done in detail.

Here’s the MountainManDu untouched:
https://flic.kr/p/2ne5yrP
 
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That’s looking great!

I love my SawManDu which is the same profile but thinner.

Very comfortable handle for chopping w/ zero hot spots.
 
scdub said:
That’s looking great!

I love my SawManDu which is the same profile but thinner.

Very comfortable handle for chopping w/ zero hot spots.
Click to expand...
Thanks, it’s coming along nicely. I’ve only modified my Beckers before. First attempt at modding a Bussekin.
 
I end up modifying the majority of my knives. I actually increased the size of the choil on my SMD substantially. It came with a satin finish but I gave it a hot vinegar wash before I started using it. I also knocked the shoulders off the edge but haven’t changed the final edge angle (still sitting around 25-30 dps I recon). Lemme know how your edge holds up to dry wood chopping at 20dps…

953C52C4-10E5-4E53-9CB2-7666AD40AB21.jpeg
 
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