Rounding folder spine?

B

Bill1170

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Dec 20, 2007
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I just received a Ritter Mini-Grip for EDC. I won't be using a pocket clip. The blade on the Ritter design sticks out further when folded because it is wider than the standard blades. My concern is that the square corners of the spine will be hard on my pockets and their contents. I'd take just the sharp corner at the sides of the jimping, but go to a full bullnose on the rest of the spine.

Is there any downside to rounding the spine on this knife? I have done this on a Rat 1 folder and really like the looks and feel. This knife, however, cost a lot more money, so I thought I'd ask the BF brain trust before removing any of the precious s30v.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bill
 
no downside other than the fact that metal removed cannot be replaced.

cosmetic issue only, barring some rather unlikely circumstances.
 
Thanks for your reply. Please indulge me and say what those "unlikely circumstances" might be. I'd rather be over- than under-informed.

Bill
 
Well, you won't be able to use the spine of the blade to strike sparks from your fire starter in an emergency. Apart from that, I can't see too many other reasons not to do it. I've ground off a bunch of ZDP-189 from a few knives, and that stuff is way more expensive than S30V. ;)
 
I generally don't like the spine too rounded ... remember that the wider it is, the more comfortable it will be to use when/if you have to do some heavy push-cutting where you'll be using your free hand to push down on the spine.
 
Yablonowitz and Dog of War,

Thank you both for some good points. I won't be starting fires with this knife, so that is not a concern for me. Pushing down on the spine will be more comfortable after the sharp edges are rounded a bit, as the steel won't dig into my flesh as badly. I take your point that a full bullnose may present a less good target to press on than a flat spine with gently rounded corners. It would be interesting to perform a scale test with both profiles to see which one feels best under say, 10 pounds of force.

Bill
 
Don't forget about the blade finish and how what you do may contrast to that.
 
Good point about the finish. It is stone washed, whatever that means, so I guess my mod will have a satin finish that contrasts with the stone washed look. There is no rush on this right now, so I have some time to ponder while doing nothing to the blade.

Bill
 
I was very surprised at how little work it took to take the sharp corner off the back of a blade. A few minutes work with a couple of grades of wet-and-dry paper and it was done. I can hardly see the difference, but it sure makes it easier on the hand and pocket.

Greg
 
I did this in 1/2 hour with a die grinder with 2" discs, 3 grit levels of sandpaper ending with 500, and a light buffing on a hard felt wheel:
Manix4.jpg

Manix1.jpg

Manix10.jpg

Manix6.jpg

Manix8.jpg

I also did this to my full size Ritter Grip and it looks/feels really nice. Doesn't look funny at all with the stone washed finish.
 
Full size Manix. The original, and my favorite Spyderco knife of all time.

It has been carried and used hard for years and is still going strong. It's one of the few knives I actually will hold onto forever.
 
I just did this to my Caly III
I will post a few pics soon, I really like the way mine turned out. You really did a great job on that Manix!!
-Eric
 
michaelmcgo said:
I did this in 1/2 hour with a die grinder with 2" discs, 3 grit levels of sandpaper ending with 500, and a light buffing on a hard felt wheel:
Manix4.jpg

Manix1.jpg

Manix10.jpg

Manix6.jpg

Manix8.jpg

I also did this to my full size Ritter Grip and it looks/feels really nice. Doesn't look funny at all with the stone washed finish.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the post and the pictures. That Manix looks great with the rounded spine. I did this with some Rat-1 folders and it really dresses them up, plus it is easier on the pocket lining of my pants. When I get the time, I will soften the mini Ritter Grip. Your assurance that it looks fine with the stonewashed finish is what I was lacking.

After using the mini Ritter, I am kind of wanting a full-sized one, too. I don't need it at all, just want.

Bill
 
Last edited:
I did it tonight. The mini Grip is rounded on the spine, and I like the change. I also rounded the spine of a couple of Spyderco's for the same reason - comfort in the pocket. The pics of michaelmcgo's Manix were what I needed. That is a very nice knife, and it looks very classy with the rounded spine. Thanks to all who replied.

Bill
 
I have to say, that looks classy as hell. You kept the lines, as best as I can tell, near to perfect. Gives it a subdued but certainly noticeable custom look. I see this in several of my EDC knives' futures' lol. Just need a trip to Wally World, buy a few $9 crap knives to practice on!!
 
yablanowitz said:
Well, you won't be able to use the spine of the blade to strike sparks from your fire starter in an emergency. Apart from that, I can't see too many other reasons not to do it. I've ground off a bunch of ZDP-189 from a few knives, and that stuff is way more expensive than S30V. ;)
Click to expand...

The ritter grips don't have a "sharp" enough spine for good sparks anyway in my experience with my full sized one. I think the only down side would be cosmetic, say if you grind crooked.;)
 
michaelmcgo said:
Full size Manix. The original, and my favorite Spyderco knife of all time.

It has been carried and used hard for years and is still going strong. It's one of the few knives I actually will hold onto forever.
Click to expand...

Michael, that rounded spine on the Manix looks great!:thumbup: Very nice job on that one.
 
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