Sacrilege: A re-profiled 0350…

Peroni1973

Peroni1973

Joined
Mar 25, 2010
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707
So whilst I love my ZT’s, especially my 0350 I always struggled with the recurve (which is still there but now significantly smaller) and wondered what a slimmed down profile might be like. I know some of you will throw your hands up at this stage but bear with me…

I did this in stages entirely by hand so it took a while but it allowed me review the stages of re-profiling step by step. I also took the opportunity to put a solid convex edge on this knife as it is intended for ‘heavy’ use (for a folder anyway).

Peroni1973
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Peroni1973
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I used my standard 0350 quite a lot and have subsequently been using this adjusted version and I’m very happy. I may well get another 0350 to leave as standard but the slimmer profile works for me…

Comments and criticisms welcomed…

Ben
 
I like it, quite a bit actually. Even a great knife can use some personalization.. :D
 
Cool! I actually like that blade profile more than the regular 0350 (although I'd like it even more if the recurve was gone altogether :D).
 
Wow - ono724, Neuron and BladeBertt, thanks all for your positive comments.

I agree with you about the recurve Neuron but I can now touch up the edge on a flat stone far more easily (althought with the convexed edge, I typically use a strop and/or mousemat with wet&dry paper).

I love the looks of the new Hinderer collaboration and whilst this reprofile is not the same I think it takes the 0350 slightly closer to that sort of profile. My only concern about the 0550 is it's relative size. I rarely cary my 0200 due to it's size - if I need a blade that big I tend toward a fixed blade so I kind of prefer my folders somewhere in the 3-3.5 inch range, even though the 0550 is smaller than the 0200 it is still bigger and beefier than the 0350. I guess I'll still end up getting one :) ...

Thanks again for your comments guys!

Ben
 
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I like my 0350 alot. I kinda like the Recurve. But you did a great job and it looks FANTASTIC. John
 
Thanks John,

I mean it - I too love the standard 0350 and as mentioned I'm pretty sure that I'll get another standard one. That said it was fun to tinker with this to make it slightly different. I honestly thought some folks here would hate it (and I'm sure they'll say so now - and that's just fine) because the standard one is a terrific knife.

I should add that I really like the KnifeWorks satin blade. I don't need a black blade as my service is long since done and I reckcon I can maintain the looks of a satin blade more easily. That said you can see a bunch of scratches on the blade in one of the shots - it is a user after all(!).

I really appreciate the comments John - thanks!

Ben
 
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I've wanted to do that to my 0200 for a while now. It's just so pretty that I can't bring myself to do it though.

On a side note, yesterday I realized that you actually can't just slap a different blade on the 0200 handle to get rid of the re-curve. Where the blade stops in the handle the edge runs right beside every one of the standoffs, if you straighten the blade you would have to significantly alter the handle design. I wouldn't be surprised if the 0350 is designed similarly.
 
BJBlade and Joshua J,

Basically, Joshua you're right - there is only so far you can grind down the blade before you start altering handle to blade fit - that said with the level of changes to mine it fits fine and there is no play/rattle anywhere on the blade/handle.

BJBlade, I did it by hand on an old dual sided chisel stone for the really rough reshaping. To refine and convex the edge, ontop of a firm mousemat I used a variety of different grit wet and dry paper from 400 to 2000 in the end for a reasonably polished edge. There are several good videos on-line about how to sharpen a convex edge - google the KnivesShipFree web site and click on their videos for some of the best. Basically, you can do this to any edge and it will (eventually) end up convexed. They are usually a more robust edge, typically lasting longer as there is more steel behind the edge.

I then stropped the blade using Bark River black, then green compounds on a leather strop (which you can see in the background of the photos). I would recommend you practice on a cheap(er) blade and then try it on your favourite blades. I'm okay sharpening both regular and convex edges but certainly find that once an edge is convexed it is easy and quick to touch-up the edge. My one lesson learned is NOT to push on the blade as you strop - try to use the same pressure that you use when shaving your face as a maximum. I usually try to let the weight of the blade be the only pressure applied - otherwise the paper or compound curls back over the edge and stops it getting really sharp.

It does take a while with a tough/hard steel like S30V and I have since further refined the convex edge to a slightly thinner profile for an even sharper edge. This basically means holding the blade flatter to the stropping compound or paper.

I hope this helps...

Ben
 
My comment was more on why Kershaw doesn't put a different blade on the knife, not so much on modification. Your grind job looks great. My 0200 is black so modding it probably wouldn't turn out so well (it would be great on a knifeworks model though).
 
Cool.

As I just said elsewhere, the recurve is the main reason I never paid much attention to ZT before the 0551 came out (in my pocket as I type this). Guess I'm not alone in that. Doubt that I'm ambitious enough to have attempted re-profiling.

>>I should add that I really like the KnifeWorks satin blade. I don't need a black blade as my service is long since done and I reckcon I can maintain the looks of a satin blade more easily. That said you can see a bunch of scratches on the blade in one of the shots - it is a user after all(!).<<

And that's the OTHER reason I never paid much attention to ZT. Twice in my life I've had the presence of a flashy (or at least visible) blade solve the problem all by itself. If I'd had a darkened one in either instance I probably would have had to use it. Admittedly a tricky judgment call, depending on circumstances, but having the capability of flashing a blade is worth more to me in an EDC than absolute stealth. Others have different priorities for different reasons, I don't own a ghillie suit, YMMV.

I'm very glad ZT is starting to offer some things for the rest of us.
 
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I agree with you on those two key counts Presumed_Lost,

1) It is great that the Hinderer collaboration has begun and offers us mere (financial) mortals a chance to own similarly designed blades which don't have a recurve

2) Satin blades are less 'stealthy' and sometimes that is an advantage - the actual advantage for me is that it appears less 'covert'/'tactical'. I've never had to use any knife as a weapon (thank goodness) - for me that is what firearms are for(!) That said, I simply feel underprepared without a decent knife handy. ZT more than meets the 'decent' standard!!

Cheers,

Ben
 
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