Question: Condor Rodan

T

timbit

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Jul 21, 2011
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Just received my condor rodan in the mail, seems like it is built like a tank. The handle looks like it is indestructible. I have two questions

1) Did anyone else receive a blade that was as dull as crap? The edge was just over 0.5mm wide. I have had to spend a good long while grinding it down on my stones to get a nice sharp edge on it. Also, parts of the hollow ground edge were nearly convex, which was bizarre.

2) What is the best way to remove the black coating? I want to replace it with a natural patina. I don't like black blades, they look to tactical and threatening.

Tim
 
timbit said:
Just received my condor rodan in the mail, seems like it is built like a tank. The handle looks like it is indestructible. I have two questions

1) Did anyone else receive a blade that was as dull as crap? The edge was just over 0.5mm wide. I have had to spend a good long while grinding it down on my stones to get a nice sharp edge on it. Also, parts of the hollow ground edge were nearly convex, which was bizarre.

2) What is the best way to remove the black coating? I want to replace it with a natural patina. I don't like black blades, they look to tactical and threatening.

Tim
Click to expand...

To your question #2: If it is the usual Condor powder coat, the gasket remover which comes in a spray-can should do the trick.
 
gomipile said:
To your question #2: If it is the usual Condor powder coat, the gasket remover which comes in a spray-can should do the trick.
Click to expand...

What about the solvent that takes the coating off of new car brake disks? BrakeCleen or somethin like that.
 
Condor lists it as "epoxy black powder coating", I would go to the home center and get some strong paint remover.
 
Just use some spray-on paint remover and wrap the blade up in cling wrap over night. It should bubble up as a soft layer that practically falls off the knife. As far as the dullness issue, I received a few Boar Daggers in my very first Condor shipment that had "edges" like that. Haven't seen such a thing since though.

You'll love that beast once you get it out in the field. Mine is my favorite woods knife, in spite of owning plenty of more expensive blades. :thumbup:
 
1: Mine was very dull out of the box.
2: I haven't done it, but paint stripper should work.

If you strip it make sure to post pics!

Erdbeereis
 
Most latin american made work knives are made with the expectation that the end consumer will sharpen it to their individual liking. Most of consumers buying their knives know and understand this and also know how to sharpen a knife edge.
 
However, these are supposed to be sharp out of the box and ready to go. It's been a push-pull thing with QC there, and they ARE getting better, at least! Just got a bunch of product in from Condor for the shop and there's a REASON why I hand inspect each one. Just check out how many "Grade B" items I just posted from this latest batch. :D
 
Oh, I imagine requesting deviations from the norm in regards to third world merchandise must be frustrating, to say the least. I'd buy one, sharp or not, as long as the grind was decent, as I know they make good work knives. However, I also know what I'd expect in the way of "finishing" as things usually are what they are.
 
Exactly. You can't expect them all to be carbon copies of each other due to how many parts of the process are done by hand. I merely mention it to mean that the edge should at least be an edge, and not .5mm thick, as that's actually pretty far from sharpened! The minimum I accept out of the edges I inspect is being able to slice paper cleanly. Often the edges are already shaving sharp out of the box, but now and then you'll find one that wasn't held to the grinder quite long enough. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
However, these are supposed to be sharp out of the box and ready to go. It's been a push-pull thing with QC there, and they ARE getting better, at least! Just got a bunch of product in from Condor for the shop and there's a REASON why I hand inspect each one. Just check out how many "Grade B" items I just posted from this latest batch. :D
Click to expand...

If I had the cash, I'd buy every one of them too! Sheesh.
 
FortyTwo, what do you think of the Condor Nessmucks that have come through your shop? Seemed relevant to the latter part of the thread so didn't want to start a new thread, if OP objects let me know and I'll start up a new one. Thanks!
 
I like them a lot! Nicely contoured handle that's long enough for a wide range of grips, nice thin stock for slicing, and a great leather sheath. Not much NOT to like, really! A fantastic piece for food/game prep.
 
sven56 said:
Most latin american made work knives are made with the expectation that the end consumer will sharpen it to their individual liking. Most of consumers buying their knives know and understand this and also know how to sharpen a knife edge.
Click to expand...

I am always happy to sharpen a blade, as I find it relaxing. 0.5mm though is a bit ridiculous. This was my first purchase from a Latin American company, I wasn't expecting a perfect blade, but I would have had troubles cutting myself with the edge it shipped with. That was really my only issue, and since I know how to fix it, and don't mind fixing it...it isn't worth shipping it back! I was just wondering if anyone else had the same experience.

cramsey3006 said:
You mean a Kabar Becker!


Regarding the edge, as far as I am aware, it should be a convex edge profile, not hollow ground.
Click to expand...

I've never heard/seen a convex edge. Are they that common? I wouldn't think they are great workers, as a convex edge is often what you get if you are sloppy with your angles.
sven56 said:
Oh, I imagine requesting deviations from the norm in regards to third world merchandise must be frustrating, to say the least. I'd buy one, sharp or not, as long as the grind was decent, as I know they make good work knives. However, I also know what I'd expect in the way of "finishing" as things usually are what they are.
Click to expand...
For the money, the blade is excellent quality and very rugged. I will enjoy it once I get it up to sharp!
FortyTwoBlades said:
Exactly. You can't expect them all to be carbon copies of each other due to how many parts of the process are done by hand. I merely mention it to mean that the edge should at least be an edge, and not .5mm thick, as that's actually pretty far from sharpened! The minimum I accept out of the edges I inspect is being able to slice paper cleanly. Often the edges are already shaving sharp out of the box, but now and then you'll find one that wasn't held to the grinder quite long enough. :)
Click to expand...
I guess I must have just gotten a dud then. Oh well, I'll still order other knives from Condor as they do look of decent quality for the price paid! If it had been a BK2 and shipped with a 0.5mm edge...I would have been singing a different song.

beestokk said:
FortyTwo, what do you think of the Condor Nessmucks that have come through your shop? Seemed relevant to the latter part of the thread so didn't want to start a new thread, if OP objects let me know and I'll start up a new one. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I don't object at all. It might make searching for the answer more difficult later on though, but I don't mind the questions in my threads.
 
timbit said:
I've never heard/seen a convex edge. Are they that common? I wouldn't think they are great workers, as a convex edge is often what you get if you are sloppy with your angles.
Click to expand...

Do a search on here for convex edge. You'll be amazed at the posts you'll find. It's the best edge profile, IMO. Easy to sharpen, much improved cutting ability and a more durable edge for hard work.
 
There are good convexes and bad convexes--you can still end up with obtuse edges when sharpening a convex. I love the thin convex edge they put on the Rodan (ok--maybe not in your case, Timbit!) but combined with the full flat grind, the cutting results are incredible! :thumbup:
 
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