Sharpening the RC-5

[zatoichi37]

I love my RC-5. I've battoned and split wood with it, used the bow drill divot to start fires, skinned a hog with it, but alas...I just can't get it to the sharpness I desire. I feel that part of the reason has to do with the thickness of the blade (or maybe I'm doing something wrong). I just ordered a new sharpening stone (800/4000 grit jap water stone), so maybe that will help, but does anyone have any advice on sharpening the RC-5?

note:
I've got many knives and can get them all super-sharp...just having a wee bit of trouble with this thick blade.

 

[R.A.T.]

The geometry may not support the fine edge you desire, depending on how fine that it.

 

[shotgunner11]

Yea, it's a bear of a blade.

Tough to get a wicked, shaving sharp edge on it.

Honestly, the 5 isn't the kind of blade I normally carry alone, it normally travels with a smaller, sharper blade for the finer tasks. I reserve the edge in the 5 for building log cabins and cutting my way out of Sherman tanks.

 

[zatoichi37]

Yea, it's a bear of a blade.

Tough to get a wicked, shaving sharp edge on it.

Honestly, the 5 isn't the kind of blade I normally carry alone, it normally travels with a smaller, sharper blade for the finer tasks. I reserve the edge in the 5 for building log cabins and cutting my way out of Sherman tanks.

Yea, I learned to keep my gerber para (it was cheap) in the little pouch of the sheath along with a small thing of oil.

Can you get a wicked sharp edge on the rc-6?

EDIT: I guess you can as I've seen the Izula slice a dude's finger open... 0.0

 

[Jetblack]

I just got my RC-5 today, and it was shaving sharp right out of the box. Im not sure how long it will stay that way, I plan on putting it to work this weekend.

 

[R.A.T.]

The RC-6 is much easier to get a good slicing edge on due to its geometry. That's why I like thin knives. Knives are made to cut. Axes are made to chop

 

[tonym]

My RC-5 came shaving sharp as well, however the shoulders on it prevented it from biting deep and becoming a good slicer. I had a friend with a grinder knock back the shoulders thinning it out quite a bit. Then he convexed the edge. She's a mean cutter now! Don't get me wrong, it's no scandi with a zero edge, but it's alot better suited to the outdoor tasks that I do now.

There are a couple of guys on BF that I know who will do that for you. Drop me a line if you want some contact info for them.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

The RC-6 is much easier to get a good slicing edge on due to its geometry. That's why I like thin knives. Knives are made to cut. Axes are made to chop

And big chopping knives...are called machetes and also work best when thin. How about that? :thumbup:

 

[R.A.T.]

Agreed!!!

 

[SuicideFO]

The RC-6 is much easier to get a good slicing edge on due to its geometry. That's why I like thin knives. Knives are made to cut. Axes are made to chop

I couldn't agree more. I always pack my Gerber sport ax and use my knives for their intended purposes.

Do you strop your knives? I always strop my blades after sharpening. I find I can get a keener edge.

 

[DallasSTB]

The RC-6 is much easier to get a good slicing edge on due to its geometry. That's why I like thin knives. Knives are made to cut. Axes are made to chop

What he said. I've been able to field sharpen my 6 with a simple wetstone to almost new sharpness quite easily. The other RC blades probably have similar qualities, except for the 5. You might consider a "companion" knife that has a thinner grind to accompany your RC-5. Or hey, get the 6 too. It's really an outstanding knife, if only it would fit better in my Maxpedition Versipack. I'm still working on that solution.....

 

[mainewoods]

Forty,
I got a spyderco Tri angle sharpmake off there you work,works great I also carry a small slip stone. do you have any more Info on sharpers? thanks Mainewoods...