new (t0 me) SRKW M9 LE

C

cwdotson

Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
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Just received this from a sale on this forum and must say my initial opinion is that this is the one I've been looking for. My first big 'kin knife was a Rat Mastiff, I think they are called, and I've had a bunch after that-BMs, BRs, even a couple of SRKW short swords. All were top quality pieces but none really did it for me,so they have been moved along. Had two Ratmandeux LEs, good mid-sized blade, but just at an awkward length for me.

The overall size and balance of the M9 LE seems perfect. Certainly do some splitting, even a bit of chopping in a pitch, and although I really don't to be in a serious scenario with a blade against man or beast, seems like it would serve as well as could be hoped for in that role.

I do need to get a leather sheath for it. Also, I am not really knowledgeable about the zero edge, even though I've tried to do some research it. Does anyone have a link to some good info on maintaining the edge?

Looking forward to using this one!
 
I regret selling mine. It's really an awesome knife and it held an edge like no other. My only complaint was that the pointed pommel rubbed against my wrist when chopping.
 
Thanks for the kind comments-again, haven't used it yet, but the look and feel seems kind of like a cross between the RMD LE and the Satin Battle Rat, or at least the SBR I had-I think at least two blade types were made. IIRC the SBR had a zero edge and I maintained the edge by sandpaper/mousepad and strop.
 
You could convex the M9 if you want to--it wouldn't be too hard. Some 220 and 400 3m Wetordry to set the bevel and raise the burr, then refine it with 600, 1k and 2k.
 
I was in the market for satin infi when I saw an an M9 LE at a price I couldnt refuse, I can vouch for its sweetness, this kin is right up there with the naked infis imho.
 
I was intimidated by converting an edge to convex at first. I did a lot of reading and you tube before attempting. That being said I have converted 4 knives since and it is nothing to be scared of. Once you find the sweet spot for pressure applied (which isn't much YMMV) it's a matter of stepping up grits like posted above. That mouse pad and sandpaper trick is the coolest thing I have learned in many moons. Throw in the black then green paste on a good strop and it will be a mirror.
 
Well, there a couple that work very well.

You could use the silicon carbide sandpaper and a mousepad. If it is a true zero edge, this means you'll be laying the knife almost completely flat while you use a stropping motion--away from the edge as opposed to edge leading if you use a benchstone; other than how you position the knife on the abrasive, the rest of the "rules" are the same. Raise a burr, push it to other side, progress up gritwise and deburr.

It will take longer this way b/c you are removing a lot of steel relative to other knives where only the cutting edge contacts the abrasive. With a true zero edge, the entire side is the edge, so to speak.

Just to save you some heartburn, may I suggest a micro bevel? Instead of grinding the whole side at once, establish a tiny secondary bevel a few degrees more than whatever the zero edge angle is. If each side is 15 then establish a tiny micro of 18 or so. Use a light pressure, a few strokes per side on your highest grit you finished with to form it. Once you can look at your edge in bright light and angle it so you see a hair thin mirror shiny line running from heel to tip, you know you have your micro bevel.

Doing it that way allows you an easy sharpening and you still have your zero edge looks and geometry. The other method I mentioned in the beginning uses the same techniques but the tool is a belt sander using slack belts instead of sandpaper and a mousepad. Much faster especially if you opt out of the micro bevel. Hope that helped.
 
IIRC, when Jeremy Horton used to be active here, he averred that the M9 LE was the modern reincarnation of the SHBM.
 
seems lighter and more agile at least to me...m9 le seems more of a versatile blade that chops well than a chopper that is versatile?
 
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