sharpening the John Ek 44

N

noviomagus

Joined
Dec 25, 2007
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How does one sharpen the Ka-bar John Ek44.

It looks like it has the scandi grind, like a Mora Companion.

Is this the right way to sharpen it, like a scandi type of edge.
 
I sincerely doubt it has a scandi grind -- sharpen it like any other knife with a secondary bevel.
 
If only sharpening the very edge, or is it called the microbevel, the edge would soon be too thick to be useful I would say.
 
That is the question isn't it?

Of what use, is the blade? My Ek-bar is quite pointy as it was intended. Balances a few ounces to the butt of the knife, and it is sharp.

Not the knife to make fuzz sticks and trim line with.
 
I understand it is a dagger.
It still can cut.
So how do you sharpen it optimal.
Sharper edges at the sides are a plus.
Think of the Cold Steel Shanghai Shadow.
Even for a dagger it is good to have very sharp edges at the sides in my opinion.
Not only the tip.
 
1066vik said:
I sincerely doubt it has a scandi grind -- sharpen it like any other knife with a secondary bevel.
Click to expand...

The original Ek's I've handled (ww2-korean war) and worked on (80's-90's) were all convexed-sort of a convexed scandi, if you will. That will play merry heck with the coating, so unless one knows a cerakote guy, or is going to strip it anyway that's not much help. I'd strip it and convex it.
 
That makes sense.Convex.
I have seen pics of the older,original, Ek knives and the edges were looking convexed yes.
That's how I sharpen some of my Mora's too, on a sandpaper and soft mousepad underground.
The Ek44 is 4mm(0.16 inch) of thickness, that is 0.8 mm thicker than the Mora Heavy Duty (3.2mm).

By the way, Ka-bar has the edges of the new out of the box Ek44 pretty sharp. Paper slicing is easy.
 
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I have left my edge alone. Not having a use for the blade.

That being said, I will more than likely leave it "scan dish" as you noted. If you try to convex it the edge will go blunt right?
 
Have you looked at the ek-45? I bet that edge would have the keen geometry you are seeking. I would love to see a review on that one. I haven't seen it yet.
 
For me the John Ek45 is a different knife.
More like the Ka-bar USMC.
Interesting as well though , but different.
I like it and don't own one yet...yet.

I really appreciate the slim/narrow handles of these knives a lot ( as I like the slim handle of the CS Shanghai Warrior and Shadow). And the choice for the durable glass filled nylon.

A bit of tacky racket grip and the handle is as if a part of the body.
For me a too thick handle as on a CS Smatchet is a real turn off , so much that I sell or give away such a knife only for that reason.


For pure (wood) cutting etc. I have the Mora Companion.
Works fine for must cutting tasks.
It's just about the 'how do you sharpen this John Ek dagger'.

Why would it go blunt when convexing it?

I haven't done it though.
But assume sharpening it the with sandpaper mousepad won't be a problem.
 
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Mmm. yes, you've got a point there. And not a little material either.
And the scandi-like grind out of the box, is plenty of sharp , so keeping that angle is not a bad thing to do .
 
ron_m80 said:
Have you looked at the ek-45? I bet that edge would have the keen geometry you are seeking. I would love to see a review on that one. I haven't seen it yet.
Click to expand...

Update.
I have two of them now.
The John Ek 45 is a great knife.
The penetration power is at least as good as that of the John Ek 44.I did a stabbing test on a telephonebook with them.
And it has the edge more suitable for slicing/cutting tasks.

Just wanted to mention this.

They are all great , these John Ek knives.
 
I was thinking about this thread the other day as well. I sharpened my EK 44 keeping the factory grind the same. Its pretty sharp the way it is despite not looking very keen.

Good feedback on the EK 45. I have that on my list of knives for the future.

-Ron
 
Yes, that's what I do also, keep it scandi.
And it is indeed pretty sharp although you wouldn't expect it much.

The John Ek 45 is a really nice one.
I like the somewhat slender handle on these knives as well.
Having more grip options.
And the grip is more secure for stabbing purpose.More tight.
Well to me anyway.
 
ron_m80 said:
I have left my edge alone. Not having a use for the blade.

That being said, I will more than likely leave it "scan dish" as you noted. If you try to convex it the edge will go blunt right?
Click to expand...

THIS.

I sold them all.

I'm steering away from the 'combat' and large knives in general, except for cutting food in the kitchen...
And going into max 4 inch blade knives only, whether fixed or folder.

I never , ever, have any use for the larger knives.
I live in a city...No zombies to defend myself against either.

I also read so many accounts of people going into the bush having only a need for a smaller knife, when hiking .
When being in the jungle a machete is a needed item I assume.
But as Jeff Randall said,I read it somewhere

Randall - "In all honesty, the knife industry is about 99 percent bullshit. We sell knives every day to people who will never use them. Knife buying is more of a want than a need."
And also:
a low-cost carbon steel machete is probably the real "survival knife".a low-cost carbon steel machete is probably the real "survival knife".

I find a lot of truth in these words.
And even if one needed a knife for self defense.
A small knife can be pretty nasty as well.
If needed.
Probably and hopefully, never.
 
Yeah...OK
I'll keep carrying my big and small combo.

Ka-Bars probably 90% users
 
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Agreed on them being expensive, though the John Ek are 125 euro to 155 euro here in the Netherlands.
Can't say these are very nice priced either.
ESEE has many knives with horrible handle ergonomics.
ESEE-3 , 4 , 5, 6.. had them all. Sold them all, also the Junglas and the Izula-II.
The Mora I like much, much better.
Low price doesn't mean less worth.


I think that many guys have large blades just for the kicks to have/own them (nothing wrong with that though).
Most large tasks are better off done with an axe, or in jungle/rainforest with a machete.
A 15 dollar/euro machete does fine.
Still, most of us don't need those large blades at all in their lives.
It is a want, not a need.
Most of them batoning guys, love the batoning, to use their large blades.
But I have spoken a 'few' who also went out in the woods, for months, but never batoned a single piece of wood.
They just carried a smaller fixed blade.
The most important tool is between the ears.
 
NCSlice said:
Yeah...OK
I'll keep carrying my big and small combo.

Ka-Bars probably 90% users
Click to expand...

Aaah.
You edited your post !!
My post is in reaction to your unedited post.
Haha.
I will not change mine.
What you said was for a part true.
Not agreed on the users by ESEE vs Ka-bar though.
:D
I have seen too many pictures on forums by people telling how great their knives are.
And all you see is an unused blade,with a coating that has been unscratched.
But the knife performs excellent !!
:p
 
noviomagus said:
Aaah.
You edited your post !!
My post is in reaction to your unedited post.
Haha.
I will not change mine.
What you said was for a part true.
Not agreed on the users by ESEE vs Ka-bar though.
:D
I have seen too many pictures on forums by people telling how great their knives are.
And all you see is an unused blade,with a coating that has been unscratched.
But the knife performs excellent !!
:p
Click to expand...

Yeah, I wasn't really paying attention and just talking out of my ass and a friend pointed it out.
Anywho...
Nothing bad to say about ESEE besides the handle you already pointed out. Definitely tons of users.

My deleted comment was about Randall knives and totally off point.

There is a big movement of ultralight backpackers and all that but I don't see them as knife folks so much anyway.

My woods time isn't much about travel or hiking. It's hanging out. Chillin. Find a spot and squat. I have no problem carrying a large knife and I know many who are the same. I definitely use the smaller stuff more but I'd never discount the purpose or popularity of carrying and using a big blade.

ETA: I don't understand why a machete is ok but one "wants" a big knife but doesn't "need" it when a machete will do!? That makes no sense to me...
A machete IS a large knife. Using something more substantial and more multipurpose than a big ol machete just makes sense. It's not a want...
It's like...I need boots...why get crappy Walmart boots when I really need some rugged waterproof lightweight durable work boots.

That 90% comment...I wouldn't be surprised if it holds true in the folder world.
 
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