Production folders easily converted to double edge

J

jayharley

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Oct 6, 2000
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A few years ago, I purchased a Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert folder. Never carried it much, and never paid much attention to the design. However, I recently noticed how the top, unsharpened edge of the blade, looked like it was designed to be easily converted to a double edged folder. When closed, the blade was completely protected by the handle, so no injury could come about, if it was double edged. Also there is a handy "thick and flat ribbed" thumb area of the unsharpend edge which would make it very easy and safe to push the blade closed.

Last night I spent a few hours working on the blade and the end result is a very, very cool double edged folder. Both edges are now razor sharp and it seriously looks like it came from the factory this way.

What other production (not custom) folders are now available which seem designed to be safely converted to a double edge? The only other one I know of is the Ka Bar / Dozier Thorn. The Thorn also is designed to make the entire blade safe and secure between the scales when closed. The top edge is also tapered but unsharpened.

Any others?
 
I read that the Applegate was designed that way. I also heard the Spyderco Chinook can have the end of the "Clip point" sharpened, but I don't know.
 
jayharley,

it may interest you to know that Gerber currently sells factory versions of both the full-size and covert applegate folders that are double-edged, as well as single-edged versions for folks like me who live in Illinois ("daggers" are illegal here).
 
YoungCutter: After doing some research I am finding out that the double edged Covert is really the knife I currently have. If you order a double edged Covert #05785 or #05786 (black blade) you actually will receive a blade both edges beveled, but the second edge unsharpened. A bit confusing, if you ask me!

All I ended up doing, is completeing the job of making the knife a true double edge.

Even on Gerber's web site, you cannot find a Covert with both edges actually sharpened.

Here are the choices for a Covert:
#05785: Double Edge (actually both edges beveled, one edge sharpened).
#05795: Single Edge (one edge beveled and sharpened)
#05786: Double-Edged Black Blade (actually both edges beveled, one edge sharpened).
#05796: Single Edged Black Blade (one edge beveled and sharpened)
 
Ahh...

damn that misleading advertising! So the upper-edge is no more sharp than the false edge of my Spydie Native?
 
YoungCutter: Maybe it is not misleading advertising. Maybe I am just unaware of the technical terms. I guess a company can make and advertise a knife with a "double edge (even if one is unsharpened)".

I don't own a Spyderco Native, but from what I have seen in pictures, the upper "false edge" is exposed when the knife is folded. Therefore you really cannot sharpen it, and safely carry it.

However, the Covert sharpened up 100% in about 2 hours of work. As The Magician stated earlier, it looks like the Covert double bevel was designed for a consumer to purchase and easily create a double edged folder, of his own, if desired.

I can honestly say that now it is my only double edge folder I own. That alone makes me want to start carrying it more.

In the past, the Covert has always taken a far back seat to my various Emersons, Maxx 5.5, SERE 2000, BM 710, REKAT Sifu, CS Voyagers, Kershaw Boa, etc, etc, etc. Now it really is unique, and stands alone.
 
A lot of knife companies do that. They thin the false edge just enough so that the buyer can get a workable double edge with a bit of work. It releaves the Mfc. of any legal concerns. I do believe that when the very first Gerber folding A/F models came out, they did have real double edges, but it was quickly changed to the thinned false edged model. I think a couple of people also had mishap's with the original double edged models.

As to other double edged folders, well the Spyderco Chinook, and Police models could have the extreme tip of their swedge sharpened. Also various Balisongs have double edges, or could be converted to double edge with little work. The Cold Steel Triple Action is offered in a double edge format.


HTH:D:).
 
Aside from the A-F Gerber you mentioned, these two are the only dagger/spear point type folders I can think of that might make it easy to sharpen the false edge. I know there's probably a lot more but these are the only ones that came to mind...(I just woke up)

SOG Pentagon Elite
pentelite2.gif

Benchmade model 46 (not your typical folder but a folder nonetheless)
bm46.jpg
 
ZENGHOST: On the SOG, I believe that the newly sharpened edge would be exposed when the knife is folded. That would make the SOG not workable in a double edged situation. Correct me if I am wrong.

I am asking so many questions because I am interested in purchasing another knife which can be made into a genuine double edged folder that can be safely folded.
 
Originally posted by jayharley
ZENGHOST: On the SOG, I believe that the newly sharpened edge would be exposed when the knife is folded. That would make the SOG not workable in a double edged situation. Correct me if I am wrong.

I am asking so many questions because I am interested in purchasing another knife which can be made into a genuine double edged folder that can be safely folded.
Click to expand...
Yup, you're right--my bad, I missed that.
 
The Chinook can have almost a 1/2" of the tip sharpened. The trailing point L'il Temperance can have 2" of it's 3" blade sharpened. Beware however that both models will require alot of grinding!
 
Originally posted by jayharley
ZENGHOST: On the SOG, I believe that the newly sharpened edge would be exposed when the knife is folded. That would make the SOG not workable in a double edged situation. Correct me if I am wrong.
Click to expand...
On the Pentagon Elite II (5" blade), the spine is exposed, thus creating problems in this scenario.

But on the Pentagon Elite I (3.9" blade), the blade is completely inside the handle when closed.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer does not endorse this kind of modification. [Do you blame us?] :)
 
Hey Ron,

not to get too off the subject, but you of all people should be able to tell me.
Is the reason so many SOGs come comboedge only because comboedge sells better than plainedge?
Yknow, if you guys started putting out plainedge versions of certain designs like the Tsunami, Pentagon Elite II, and Recondo into regular circulation (that is to say, dealers and everything) i'd probably go broke overnight :P
 
Hey YoungCutter,
Originally posted by YoungCutter
Is the reason so many SOGs come comboedge only because comboedge sells better than plainedge?
Click to expand...
You're right, this is an off-topic question. Let me answer quickly, then return the thread to the original topic.

Our decision to focus on partially serrated blades is sales related. For SOG, a partially serrated edge outsells straight blades quite dramatically.

If you have further questions, either email me, or bring this question up in the SOG Forum (or start a new thread here).
 
I have one of those Paul Chen Starship knives made by CAS Iberia, with a dagger shaped blade. It, too, is double beveled, and would take little work to sharpen up the top edge. Opening and closing is accomplished without touching the blade edges, so this would work very well. As far as making the knife into a practical dagger, that depends on what you think of the "nature lock";) Very cool knife in design, and looks, but practicality is not part of the design, IMHO.

DD
 
I sharpened the top of my AF as soon as I got it. Be very careful though: the lock is a p.o.s and will not hold against even slight shocks. The BM Elishewitzs based on the Phantom [I forgot the BM designation] would do, and the locks are better. What about some of the REKATs?
 
The Sentinel, anyway. Any design based on or similar to the [custom] Phantom, which is perfect as double edged blade [like mine :)]
 
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