Has anyone sharpened the swedge on their Gunting?

ThinkOfTheChildren · May 16, 2001

In case you haven't noticed, the Gunting's one inch swedge sits in the handle. This means that you could sharpen it and it would still be just as safe closed. This would add quite the kick to a great knife and allow for some massive back-cutting.

I have been considering doing this, but I realize that this will make the knife more 'evil' in the eyes of the law. It might make the knife illegal in some areas where it was fine before.

So has anyone tried it yet? Does anyone plan on it?

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Karma is only justice without the satisfaction

baraqyal · May 16, 2001

I thought I read somewhere in one of Bram's posts that the original prototypes had the top part sharpened.

It would certainly add to the effect of the kinetic opening. I'm pretty sure the compression lock could handle back cutting. The down side would be the legal issues - my gunting is legal almost everywhere in the US.
As far as I know, double edges ("daggers") are illegal almost everywhere. You should try it out and let us know.

-- Rob

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Me fail english? That's unpossible!

Seth Thomas · May 16, 2001

Cool Idea....

However, in my jurisdiction it would certainly fall into the grey jelly morass of lawyer-dom.

Seth

ThinkOfTheChildren · May 17, 2001

baraqyal,

Thanks for the info. I was not aware that this was a consideration in the prototype.
(By the way, I love your signature! I'm a big Simpsons fan)

As to the legal issues, I know that a full double edge is illegal most places, but one that only runs an inch or so is borderline in a lot of places. I wouldn't mind doing it, but I'd be afraid to mess up such a nice knife and I wouldn't want to cross into the 'shady' area of the law.

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Karma is only justice without the satisfaction

baraqyal · May 17, 2001

Well, I may have read it somewhere in one of Bram's posts. However, after much searching, I can't find that post. Oh well. Someone will either correct me or say I'm right.

I've had my gunting come partially open before when brushing by objects. This hasn't been a real problem - with the other sharpened edge, it could be. I don't think it would be very hard to sharpen - maybe start with a metal file, and move on to a sharpmaker. If you actually do it, post some pics. As for the law - its only illegal if you get caught.

I love the simpsons. Too many great quotes. My friends and I pretty much collect them. Glad to see there are other simpsons fans out there.
-- Rob

steve22595 · May 17, 2001

Hi guys,

Legalities aside, the biggest asset of the "G" is being able to use it closed for a number of applications. If you sharpen the top edge, you will greatly increase the chances of cutting yourself as you use the ramp of the closed "G".

Steve

BRAM · May 17, 2001

Hi there..Yes.. The GUNTING can have a sharpened secondary edge and yes it would be totally safe to the user for it would be INSIDE the handle! and..Yup, one of my original protos of long ago was very very sharp on the secondary edge..I was originally thinking for example that upon downward Kin-Op ( Kinetic Opening) that one immediately went into a upward Florette motion,( or a back cut) bringing the sharpened back clip edge into action so you cut upon "retreat" and were in position to them thrust or slice back into the BG...
of course I was thinking STRICKLY in Filipino terms...of cutting that is, not practicallity..

"How could I apply Filipino cutting actions and cut every way I entered into the opponent's space...ahhh a sharpened secondary edge of course!"

There are drawbacks of course...With the sharpened back clip area, one cannot execute grabbing in reverse grip without cutting someone..
checking, hooking or locking with the blade become cutting with the blade...
disengagements with the blade becomes SLICING with the blade..
Kin-Op's could become Kin-Cuts..that every time you Kinetically open the knife it doesn't just open it CUTS...
so I, we'd lose out on some very cool easy control moves..

With ANY portion sharpened..yup ANY portion, in some of our States thats a double edge knife, dagger dirk type of thing..its not allowed in most municipalities..
Its shade of grey and ATTY domain in many others..( not a good bet!)
So to prevent that I made sure that the back edge is totaly FLAT.no pretense or intent of ANY TYPE of real or false edge..its a single edge tool...

I'd check with SPYDERCO for "advice" as to the best way to sharpen the secondary edge..I certainly wouldn't do it myself ...
Then get a custom maker or knife maker to put an edge on it IF you want..

Again I don't recommend it.. I 'd watch out for the laws and where you carry it..
BUT you're thinking as I did when I first came up with the idea!!!!!
RIGHT ON!

Blilious · May 19, 2001

Although it has no secondary sharp edge - when entangled in a two man confrontation - and the BG has his hand on yours and you can not let it loose - the edge of the Gunting allows for ripping open with the back end of the knife.

Try it on a piece of cloth and youll get the feel of it.

Many knives allow that kind of motion - sheep foot and very round skinners do not.

And the best part is that Bram himself explained that to me in the seminar in Israel last year.

And the man is coming back in a few days!