Reprofiling Expensive Knives?

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
Messages
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Like a lot of people, I am a big Zero Tolernace fan, but I have noticed that even their smaller knives like the 0900 and 0450 are so thick behind the edge. Yesterday, I bought a $36 Kershaw Emerson CQC 10, and I was struck by the fact that it came with a more useable edge that either ZT that ran me between $150-$200, and are made of S35VN. I know some people have their knives edges reprofiled, but spending extra money so my higher end production folder can finallly peel an apple as well as a $40 SAK is just more than I want to do. After I saw Blade HQ do a demo of the new BM 535 slicing an apple, I decided that I need to move in that direction, so I picked up a 535 from my local knife store today. Since I finally got a 3.5" XM-18 Bowie, that is really enough of the super heavy duty tactical style blades. For the foreseeable future, I want light, compact folders with blades that can easily peel fruit or sharpen a pencil.
 
So... You want an Opinel?
Even if you go with a larger one, you can use a file and some sandpaper to thin the handles a bit and still stay under $30 (unless you go with Ebony or some other higher end wood handled version).
 
NJBillK said:
So... You want an Opinel?
Even if you go with a larger one, you can use a file and some sandpaper to thin the handles a bit and still stay under $30 (unless you go with Ebony or some other higher end wood handled version).
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Opinel is a great budget option, but I do like stainless steel, one handlers, and clips.
 
The problem with re-profiling expensive knives is too many of the owners view them like Baseball/Pokemon cards to be used as trade fodder.

If you really like the knife, have no intention of selling it, and plan to use the thing as intended - re-profile it to your desired edge. I did that with an Emerson CQC-12. Gave the knife to Tom Krein to put a standard sabre grind on it. Used it for a couple of years till I got a new shiny and sold it at a loss. Nowadays my day to day cutting involves stuff a slipjoint could accomplish. Most of my daily EDC knives are slim production folders like a FFG Delica 4, or a Benchmade 531 - though my Manix 2 LW has been gaining carry time. Generally if I don't carry a knife for over a year it's time to trade or sell it.
 
anthony cheeseboro said:
Opinel is a great budget option, but I do like stainless steel, one handlers, and clips.
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That's easy to accommodate.

First buy a Stainless Opinel. Then buy two of the three following items.

Get one of these for $4 (Boker kwaiken clip)
boker-kwaiken-pocket-clip-cm-large.jpg

And one of these for $6-$8: (kwik stud or kwik bar, both available in stainless and brass)
31jxNunm51L._SY400_.jpg 31eQpKMpcmL._SY400_.jpg
 
I'll side with Ajack60 on this one. I had all three on hand a few months ago, and for ME, the Stretch is much more ergonomic
than the Delica or Endura, though all three are great knives. IIRC, Sal designed the Stretch for his own use.
 
Anthony, I think the key is to send them to some of the guys on BF that offer that service. It seems to be more in how it's done. I have no problem reprofiling a cheaper edc but not so much a higher priced knife. Some of the guys on the forums offer the service for a very fair price and it can be maintained on a SM.
 
Sonnydaze said:
I'll side with Ajack60 on this one. I had all three on hand a few months ago, and for ME, the Stretch is much more ergonomic
than the Delica or Endura, though all three are great knives. IIRC, Sal designed the Stretch for his own use.
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I wear XL width gloves, and I found the Stretch to be just that, a stretch to make it fit right. The same is to be said about my Endura...

The two knifes that fit me incredibly well have been a Delica (HAP40 is around .025 BTE iirc) and the Mantra series (M4 and built as slicers.
 
The zt's are over built and also for looks to sell. If you want a slicer get a slicer instead or get a regrind. In gonna get my zt0452cf regrind some time in the future for better slicing and probably my zt 801brz
 
Personally, I have a hard time reprofiling inexpensive knives. Last week I bought a Victronix Excelsior in Switzerland with the intention of grinding it down for woodcarving. Something just feels wrong about doing that. LOL. I feel the same way about the $10 Opinals. I need help.
 
Yup! This is the way to do it and there are a few guys here that do a fantastic job!!
If done by the right guy, Josh at REK, you won't lose much at re sale.
Josh did a bunch for me and I was blown away by his edges!! They are immaculate!!
Joe

rick melear said:
Anthony, I think the key is to send them to some of the guys on BF that offer that service. It seems to be more in how it's done. I have no problem reprofiling a cheaper edc but not so much a higher priced knife. Some of the guys on the forums offer the service for a very fair price and it can be maintained on a SM.
Click to expand...
 
I don't know what people mean with that word half the time.

I thought reprofile meant to change the angle/grind of the secondary (I.e., apex) bevel. So you get a knife and it's at 25° per side, and you want to set it to 15° per side.

Then there's a total regrind, which I take to mean changing the primary bevel. I've seen guys like Josh do this. You're either changing the primary grind (full flat or convex or whatever), or changing the depth of the primary grind (leaving it thinner at the shoulder).

If that's true, then I reprofile all the time. Just get a nice coarse diamond stone and go to town. But I never touch the primary grind. I don't have a belt sander or any expertise in it.
 
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The HAP40 Delica which I own is a very impressive slicer. You can always go for the larger Endure version of it, if the Delica is too small for your purposes. I have a few other folder with blade lengths > 3.5" but for slicing, I reach out for the HAP40 Deli.
 
Blues Bender said:
Pick up an Endura or Delica in ZDP-189. Best...Knife...Ever...

That's just my opinion.
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I agree with this . Those knives are tremendous slicers and the steel is great, and somewhat overlooked around here. The Endura with zdp 189 steel is a tremendous bargain knife.
And with your exoerience with outstanding folders, your opnion has more weight than mine. :)
 
Sonnydaze said:
I'll side with Ajack60 on this one. I had all three on hand a few months ago, and for ME, the Stretch is much more ergonomic
than the Delica or Endura, though all three are great knives. IIRC, Sal designed the Stretch for his own use.
Click to expand...
I like the Endura and the Stretch both with zdp189 blades. I do wonder why the Stretch costs more than the Endura as I think they are equivalent, just different. Just my opinion.
Still edc my Endura as a work knife.
 
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