Spear point rc-4 ??

S

scotsmanspride

Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
639
Well right now I am in the process of modding out my izula. Stripped her down and going to start on custom scales this weekend. This got me thinking that I am going to do some custom matching scales on my rc-4 however I have had an itching want to change the tip to a spear point. What are everyones thoughts on this. Good bad and all the in betweens.
 
I like the idea of a spear point for the purpose of using the 2nd edge to strike a firesteel. It might not be the best for batoning though. I guess it all depends on what you are going to use it for.
 
I find myself transitioning over more and more to bushcraft type knife use. I can say that I finished filing a very squared off spine onto my izula and it now throws sparks like crazy!
 
if you modify the existing 4 to a spear point the tip, which is currently on the centerline of the grip will end up probably about 3/8" below the centerline and i would not expect that to be as good for thrusting, penetrating ir drilling.

so you may actually REDUCE the effectiveness for bushcraft, at least when it comes to drilling.

if you want a bushcrafter, you can get a Condor bushlore for about $30, or a custom bushcrafter for between $150 and $200 from JK, Off The Map or (slightly more expensive) Fiddleback.

then there's the Blind Horse Knives bushcrafter, they have the standard grind in their website and some of their vendors have the scandi grind. about $135 for that and no waiting in line, just order it and have it shipped.

if you modify the 4, i'd expect the resale value to take a BIG hit. you'd turn a knife that's $100 new to one that's maybe worth $40 used.

just my opinion, not my knife. but i don't have any complaints about the shape of the 4... and i can be a picky bitch at times.

but if you want a dedicated bushcrafter, but one. even a custom knife is reasonably priced and starts at only about $50 more than the typical price of a new 4.
 
I wouldn't for the reasons mentioned above - it you want a boot knife, just get one of them. Your Izzy could be a companion knife or if you want a thinner blade for bushcrafting, pick up a $20 Mora. You could make it a clip point too, if that's what you want.
 
The ESEE 4 is my main woods knife. It most likely gets the most use out of any knife I own.

I have done just about everything with it including drilling, and I think that the knife is

just about perfect the way it is!

To each his own!
 
Doesn't adding a clip point ruin the heat treat? I was thinking of sending my RC4 to be customized... I have two, so no worries about resale or 'ruining' the blade.
 
My brother eventually requested me to grind his Izula into a clip point blade. He is a great deal happier with the second grind which I keep at about 15* each side with the primary edge staying at a stouter 20*-30# some where in that range. I do it by hand so I can’t give an exact measurement. It always leaves me hair popping and returns beat up in about one month durations. His job demands and life style in general is hard use and rather demanding when it comes to his tools.
My point is just a testimonial of sorts; his Izzy functions fine as a clip point, he uses it everyday for some thing whether it be cleaning a hoof out or cutting hard shipping create bands and prying on the wood creates (yes I know. lol, its not a pro-bar.) All this including such chores as field dressing at least 3 deer, squirrels and a Flemish giant rabbit (just a few that we did). The blade has not failed. If you want/need a clip point, mod it; do take into careful consideration ESEE terms in regards to your warrantee, but make your tools what you want/need them to be. They are intended to serve you so adjust their form accordingly.
 
scotsmanspride said:
Good point. I just thought of this before looking at the centerline. Prolly shoulda done that before posting.
Click to expand...

ehh,\... no problem asking. i've seen people post AFTER they've bought junk or made some mod that can't be reversed. your thought process seems logical, but imho doesn't work with the design of the knife you're asking about. might work very well on some other blades tho.
 
Miasma said:
Doesn't adding a clip point ruin the heat treat? I was thinking of sending my RC4 to be customized... I have two, so no worries about resale or 'ruining' the blade.
Click to expand...

IF you do it slowly and keep the blade cool, it shouldn't be a problem. i used to sharpen drill bits by hand on a bench grinder all the time. but i've seen people try to drill thru thick steel without taking a break or using any coolant, they heat a 10mm bit up until it's glowing red and then ask why it's not working any more. :rolleyes:

the same people will read a torque spec for a 5mm bolt in an aluminum engine case, the spec is 69 inch pounds. they crank on it to 69 foot pounds and them complain when they strip the threads.
 
Spear points are great. You're sacrificing belly for a centered tip, but the design makes perfect sense. If you're confident in your grinding abilities, then go for it. Check out Fiddleback's Bushboot!
 
PayetteRucker said:
Spear points are great. You're sacrificing belly for a centered tip, but the design makes perfect sense. If you're confident in your grinding abilities, then go for it. Check out Fiddleback's Bushboot!
Click to expand...

unless i'm mistaken, the 4 already has a centered tip, so he'd be giving up belly for an OFFcenter tip.
 
I laid it out last night while I Was working on the izula scales. It depends on which angle you take. If you line up the screws with a straight edge then the tip it pretty close to center. But if you make a straight line down the blade from the closest screw a spear point would be more centered from what I could tell. It seems like it would be similar to the way brkt does a gunny in spear point.
 
Miasma said:
Doesn't adding a clip point ruin the heat treat? I was thinking of sending my RC4 to be customized... I have two, so no worries about resale or 'ruining' the blade.
Click to expand...

It shouldn't hurt the heat treatment one bit if done properly.
 
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