In all fairness, choils and thumb ramps are two common knife features that are hard to get any sort of unanimous preference for a given design.
*** Yet another reason why I feel satin is "Better" and personally prefer satin: I can make certain modifications without spoiling the paint. Satin mods on satin finish blend in a LOT better than satin mods on paint.
Luckily, I just received my two S5Cg’s (literally – as I was writing this. – So, I have changed a bit of my post before even posting)
I think thumb ramps especially are just one of those knife features that polarize many users because of different hand sizes and different preferences. Some will like and others won't.
You can try moving a ramp a bit this way or that ….. and still: some will like and others won't.
Personally, I have modified many Busse and kin ramps over the years. The RMD is one of the VERY few ramps that works decent for me. And I don't know if it is just me, but for me the ramp actually fits with my thumb on the front side of the ramp in the normal grip. Even the RMD's ramp could be a bit more refined for my preferences - slightly rounded at the edges and slightly reduced in size by grinding "backwards".
The Busse Hell Razor might be the only other Busse and kin ramp that doesn't bother me.
My list of ramps that I have slightly to significantly modified or just completely removed over the years is quite long.
.... and for the record, the Bark River Bravo1's ramp bothers me as well. – Maybe I just have LONG thumbs along with big hands and long fingers. But, SAME problem: The peak of the Bravo1's ramp is RIGHT smack in the middle of my thumb. I can pull (cramp) my thumb back, but it doesn't feel natural. It feels cramped and pulled back.
I can reach my thumb forward of the ramp, but from the natural grip, reaching that far forward changes the dynamics of the knife a LOT and the ramp still pokes my thumb as opposed to feeling like it fits comfortably. I have heard Mike say the jimping is there for the fire-sticks - not for the thumb. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> - ... whatever. The seems silly to me. I actually like the jimping "FOR" my thumb and NOT for fire-sticks, but to each their own.
As with MANY Busse and kin knives and even on the Bark River, I sort of wish the ramp were forward more and a bit lower.
***** HOWEVER, I received my S5CG’s today and I am HAPPY to say the ramp is pretty decent for me!!!!
Over-all, I think the S5CG has a LOT of GREAT potential. But, I am seeing a couple of minor “tweaks” that might make it VERY highly suited for being one of my favorite knives of it’s size.
I have been seriously considering modifying my RMD to make the RMD’s blade shaped more like the S5CG’s. I had designed a concept a long time ago combining the RMD’s handle with a smaller blade shaped like the SJTAC’s blade. For my RMD, I also had wanted to remove the handle and drill out some holes in the tang to lighten the handle and over-all weight of my RMD.
But, then Dan came out with the S5CG and I had not yet made my RMD mods.
I had seen where sumoj275 mentioned he felt the S5CG to be a tad blade heavy. I actually have to concur, but only by being VERY picky.
In the natural grip, I find the thumb ramp well placed and well angled. But, there is something about the balance that makes me want to choke up about ¼” – 3/8” and wrap my index finger around the forward nub of Res-C behind the guard. The S5CG seems to fit my large hands and balance very nicely there, but the nub is more wide and square than it needs to be to fit comfortably. So, I am seriously considering doing a Res-C modification to that front nub.
Anyway, here is how I modified some of my Scrap Yard ramps to feel better for me and still allow a bit of a ramp - when the peak of the ramp from the factory falls right under the middle of my thumb - which it seems to VERY often do. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
If I keep some of the ramp vs. just completely removing it, I have ground the ramp "Forward" which lowers the ramp a bit, increases room for my thumb in the normal grip behind the ramp - while still allowing for a bit of an index on the forward side of the ramp when choked up.
I had already started making mods to Blan's pic as I didn’t really expect my S5CG’s to show up today and Blan’s pic was a good pic for showing mods:
Ultimately, there is a pretty reasonable chance, I will just prefer the ramp completely ground off of mine. We'll see. So, I showed the ramp completely ground off on the bottom pic.
The above is just to show some ideas of what “Could” be done and some possible options to consider trying before just completely grinding off the ramp. Some might want a ramp still.
To be conservative, in some cases, I like to try to save the ramp first by grinding it forward to see if I can salvage the ramp. If it works, great. If not, I can "Then" just completely remove it. But, by trying save it, I allow myself more options to consider. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
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But, then I received my S5CG today. As I mentioned, I find the ramp works very well for me in the natural grip. But, I also find myself wanting to choke up that extra ¼” – 3/8” behind the guard.
The Res-C feel just fine and near perfection on my SS4, Bog Dog and others. But, I think the S5's more foward blade, blade balance and guard/choil layout seems to make me want to hold the handle a bit more forward and have a bit more handle room. So, I am considering modding the Res-C.
I was planning on waiting for the LE. But, I doubt I can. I want to see this dude satin and how good it can be. So,....:
First, I might shave the Res-C forward a bit, then because of the boxy width of that part of the Res-C, I “MIGHT” trim the width of the Res-C Guard down just a bit. But, I will check feel as I go and go slowly. That width feels fine if holding behind the handle normally, but it might need narrowed a tad if I grind the Res-C guard forward a bit. We’ll see.
To compare what I envision the handle mod to be more like, I overlaid my RMD on the S5CG’s Res-C handle.
You have to be careful when cutting the Res-C forward. You don’t want to make the Res-C too thin.
**** And the reality is that I doubt Busse ever intended for the Res-C to be made thinner there at the belly of the handle behind the guard. It isn't very thick as is. So, CARE and consideration should be taken for such mods.
I have overlaid an old X-ray of the SS4’s tang over the Res-C mudder grip to compare curvature of the tang and know where it is. The tang tapers slowly and there isn’t much Res-C that can be removed.:
**** So, I hereby post my: WARNING and DISCLAIMER against others screwing up your Res-C and I can’t be responsible for anyone screwing up their handles if they try to make mods. I am only suggesting this as what I think and will probably try. But, such mods might not be for everyone and if you do something wrong, you could ruin your knife or handle. Care should be taken.
Further, I am sure such mods void “Handle” related warranty from Busse. – Or at least, "I" think they should void the "Handle" warranty. I don't think these mods should void the knife's warranty against failure. But, that's not my call and just my opinion. So, consider.
After I cut the Res-C forward a bit, I think the ramp won’t be quite right anymore. So, I will likely have to grind it a bit more forward.
In regards to round vs. flat choil. I am sure I prefer a bit more round. And I also prefer the choil cut up into the ricasso just a bit more.
So, here are the changes I am considering:
From this:
To this:
.... and as I mentioned, I might just completely remove the ramp like the SS4. We'll see.
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As is, I think the S5CG is AWESOME. And I really believe most people will be VERY good with it as is. But, I am being picky. Because I really see this S5CG as being VERY worthy for serious use and carry. And for me, I likely prefer some minor mods to better suit my hand and preferences. YMMV.
Most people don't want to change a knife. I like to personalize my users to fit my preferences as close as possible.
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The S5 has my FAVORITE all-round use blade shape!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
For the record, I weighed my S5CG at 6.75 ounces. What a LOT of knife for the weight!!!
For comparison:
SS4................. = 5.5 ounces; .200" thick ; 4.25" blade; 9" oal
S5CG................. = 6.75 ounces; .185” thick; 5.125” blade; 10.125” oal
Ratmandu (micarta)....= 10.0 ounces; .189" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
Picking a favorite is getting SO HARD!!!
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