RC5 convex grind -would it enhance its performance

J

JCK

Joined
Nov 7, 2009
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645
So as you probably know I recently did a thread on a first ever knife choice for me as a somewhat newbie camper/hiker.

So just to let those that helped know, I am thinknig of the RC4, just seems for my purposes at this current moment in time, it would suit better. Hoever I was also thinking of an Izula for all the smaller things, anyway my main question.

Its about the RC5 (I just really like this knife, no not obessesed, and to quote wayne's world - "it will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine - good movie :D)
Anyways, after reading many BF members opinions of it, I have concluded that, it is a tough as nails, no BS knife that can take one heck of a beating, however when trying to perform batoning, slicing, carving, fuzzsticks and other 'bushcraft', it's thickness kinda lets it down.

So... I wondering, when I get my RC5, if I were to reprofile it and put a convex edge grind instead of the sabre would this enhance its performance. I have done some research and found that the sabre is a strong grind, and so is the convex, and a fair few here on BF prefer the convex edge for bushcraft and the like.

So what are your opinions, would a convex grinded RC5 have any advantage in perofrmance over the standard RC5 or compare performance wise to an RC4 or 6 when doing the same tasks.

thanks

JCK
 
Are you convexing the edge? Or are you going "up" to the primary bevel? If primary bevel...you are going to have to remove a lot.....I mean a lot of steel to do that. And I don't think it would help for as much work as it would be. Just buy a RC6 and be done with it. For the 120.00 dollars of a 6 it will save you from all that work.
TC
 
The RC5 was never intended as a bushcraft knife, it is a tough " get me out of this sh*tty situaion NOW" knife..yeah for sure it can be used for bushcraft, just carry a decent folder or smaller fixed blade with you to do the detail work...ultimately when you get the knife, try to make fuzz sticks and all that before you go and tamper with the edge...due to the RC5's thickness it would be an awesome battoning knife.

the RC5 is a tough survival knife.

But from reading your post i have to ask if you have considered a Fallkniven A1 or S1?

-Gaurdian
 
It would make it work many times better but, How many convex grinds have you applied? Do you feel confident in your abilities to make such a big alteration in your blade?

I ask these questions because a good convex edge will perform great but if you don't grind it right performance gains will be minimal.
 
I agree with many of these replies. The RC-5 wasn't intended for the more precise 'bushcrafy' type chores. If you put a full convex grind on it from the spine down you would definitely be taking off a lot of steel and thinning the blade that much would probably make it better at slicing and such. But then you'd end up with a huge beefy handle and thinner blade. I suspect it would throw the balance off and probably wouldn't be the most comfortable knife to use. The RC-5 is a beast and it's thick but mine is still plenty sharp and it batons thick, hard wood like a champ. I'd suggest bringing along a smaller fixed blade or folder as a companion for the carving.
 
yeah I was really just asking this question out of interest, but I get what your trying to say, the RC5 really is a SHTF knife, not bushcraft and I was just wondering if you could reprofile it somehow to improve performance, anyway thanks for your responses

and like I said, I'm getting a RC4 for camping/hiking for those general camp duties, and maybe an Izula, as I just really want one or two high quality knifes, and for me at this current moment in time, RAT Cutlery is very attractive.

but thanks for your replies

JCK
 
RAT knives are great. I've got a bunch of them. After I first got my RC-4 I sent it Bark River Knives and they put their wicked convex grind on it. If you end up deciding to do a full convex grind on your RC-5 and don't want to do it yourself I highly recommend BRKT. Also be sure to take a few pics and let us know what you think of the performance. I know I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Whichever you decide I'm sure the RC-5 won't disappoint. Here's a couple pics of mine after batoning through a nights worth of seasoned hardwood.

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Some nice scuffing.

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Absolutely no tip damage. The logs were pretty thick and I beat the bejeezes out of the last half inch of the blade.

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Still seemed pretty sharp afterwards :)
 
yeah thanks for the reccommendation
Although those pics won't be coming for a while unfortunately -
being a student=no money for nice things

those pics of your rc5 look good, I think using it adds character to it

but when I get my RC5 or 4 I'll be sure to post some pictures, think it would be interesting

but thanks for your input

JCK

EDIT: oh yeah forgot to add this - you mentioned you got yours redone by BRKT, so do you sharpen your own convex edges - I've just heard that without certain equipment they can be a bit hard?
 
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Convex edges are actually very easy to maintain. With frequent touch ups after normal use you really only need a leather hone/strop loaded with some green compound on one side and black on the other.

Here is the one I use and works great:
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Double-Sided-Leather-Strop-Hone-for-Maintaining-Convex-Grind-Knives

After more serious or prolonged use you may need to lay some wet/dry sandpaper over the hone to get it back to sharp and then finish it off right on the leather.

The great thing about a leather hone is that it even helps normal beveled edges get really sharp. I use mine on all of my knives, convexed or not.

Look around KnivesShipFree.com for their convex sharpening videos. They'll show you how to do it. It takes a little bit of practice to get a feel for it but once you get it I think you'll be pleased with the results. And it doesn't really require a huge investment. The compound bars from KSF will probably last you forever. A little bit goes a long way.:thumbup::thumbup:
 
thanks for that smcclown.
and kniveshipfree.com is a really good site. I even think that when I finally get around to getting my knife, if I order it from them, it will turn out to be cheaper (including shipping) than from an online australian knive shop.

but thanks for your replies

JCK
 
I convexed just the edge bevel of my RC5 and it cuts like the dickens. It was easy to do with a strop and some sandpaper. It did significantly inrease the cutting performance. Though it is still not a bushcraft blade it can do the same chores.

I have also convexed the edge of my RC4 and that little wickedly sharp number is myEDC blade.

RAT PACK #103
 
yeah I have heard really good things about the RC4 (of course) and when people convexed their knifes they said it was scary sharp, realy good cutting performance.

and when you say it increased the cutting performance, was it all areas, or just some
sorry for being so specific, just want as much info as I can get

cheers
JCK
 
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