Finally took my RMD outside.

Feezle

Feezle

Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
519
I'm not ashamed to admit that I've never tried chopping with a knife before. Until recently, I never had a knife that would have been able to take it. I decided today was the day. I took my RMD out in the yard to beat it up a little.

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I don't know much about chopping. What I have gleaned from the forums is two things....

Gloves and a lanyard.

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It was a lot more work than I thought.

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I tried convexing the blade the other day using the mousepad method. Wish I wouldn't have. I couldn't get it sharp at all. I got fed up and attempted to put a 25 degree edge back on it with my Smith sharpening system. I still can't get it back into "pre-screw with it" condition. I had an ok edge on it prior to taking
it out for a test drive. Afterwards it was a butter knife.

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I sharpened it back up but I'm still not happy with it. It will cut paper but every once in a while it will tear. I guess I need to just keep at it.
 
You should send it in to get sharpened convex by a pro and buy a stropman to hone it till it dulls up, then rinse repeat! Or buy a wicked edge =D
 
Convexing SR101 by hand takes time, it is some tough stuff! I got mine pretty good after a couple hours. Good luck!
 
Nice knife I have the same color combo ! I have been sharpening knives for 20 years so when I say don`t feel like you failed with convexing a RMD I mean it ! It took me forever to get mine to where I liked the edge. Just keep at it and once it is sharp it will easily stay that way, it is just takes some practice and hard work and you will have your reward.
 
Or buy a 1x30 belt sander lol. Nice blade. Keep sharpening, you'll get it. I got good with 1095 looking forward to sr101.
 
I would recommend the Wicked Edge sharpening system. If you get the full kit, you almost can't avoid getting a super sharp polished edge which people "who are good at freehand sharpening" will envy you. It also does convex edges if you tape sandpaper to the leather strops.

If you don't want to use the money, then remember that the burr is your friend. Always look for him. And never move on to a finer grit before it's there. A good angle for the RMD would be 20 degrees per side btw.

And most important, just keep on practicing. Eventually it will seem easy to get SR101 to split free hanging hair :)
 
Beauty! I love seeing SR101 in action! Good stuff! :)
 
I'm thinking of getting a RMD. Perfect size and curves. I have a CS TM the carbon v old version that has a similar edge on it. I love it and wish all my blades had it! That type of edge is wicked! I'd have to send my blades in for that. I give you a lot of credit for trying that. Looks hard!
 
Any guides that you guys would recommend for hand sharpening? I can actually get a better edge when I use the stones from the Smith sharpener and sharpen by hand. I've heard a lot of this flipping the burr stuff but I don't quite understand what is meant by it.
 
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I conveyed the edge of my RMD using a leather paddle strop with sandpaper glued over it. Took about an hour. The leather over wood doesn't give as much as the mousepad and thus rounds the edge less, producing a finer bevel edge. Thing cuts fantastic.
 
wildmike said:
I conveyed the edge of my RMD using a leather paddle strop with sandpaper glued over it. Took about an hour. The leather over wood doesn't give as much as the mousepad and thus rounds the edge less, producing a finer bevel edge. Thing cuts fantastic.
Click to expand...
Bingo!

Try a backing that's less giving...
I also like putting a micro bevel on the convex. The key to hand sharpening is lots of reading and lots of practice with alot of frustration along the way...it's not easy, it's an art form that takes years, at least for me it did. With regard to the burr, keep working on side until a burr (wire) forms on the other side before switching sides...the old x-number of passes per side is BS...until you get to the polishing/strop stage.
 
One thing you'll find with 52100/sr101 is that once you get it sharp (and it takes a fantastically crisp edge) it holds that edge very well.

I love my RMD, But for chopping you really need something larger like the Rodent 9. RMD works great with a baton.
 
I have been able to get it quite a bit sharper.

Got my TGLB the other day and can't wait to do a little chopping with it tomorrow!
 
Those TGLB's look nice. I may have a Swamprat Mini Mojo on the way. The RMD is one of my absolute favorite blades.
 
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