Horn Dog,
how was the feel/balance affected by loosing the ramp? Looks great btw.
Again, I don't mean to jump in on a question directly posted for Vic and I hope Vic provides his two cents as well.
But, I have removed my ramp as well. So, just giving my two cents:
Feel: Subjective - I like and prefer it, but MANY others have stated they like the ramp. Fair enough IMO. I can see why they might. IMO, the ramp was pretty well placed. But, I find I have plenty of control without the ramp and more ability to move my thumb around in many various knife grips without incumberance - which I prefer. So, I removed my ramp.
I used to think I liked ramps. But, I don't have a single knife without a ramp that I think I wish I had a ramp on and while I do have a VERY few knives with ramps that don't bother me, most just don't work for me. I guess I move my thumb around too much and use a lot of different grip positions. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
But, I DO use my thumb on top of the spine a LOT for most knife usage other than chopping.
Balance: Balance was not really affected "noticably" by removal of the ramp (alone) IMO. Technically, yes. There is now less blade weight. But, there is just not enough metal and weight in the ramp and the weight was close to the center/mid-point of the blade. So, while the weight was a "bit" forward of the hand. The ramp removal just doesn't change much that is "noticable". In actuality, I just tried balancing mid-points on my with and without ramp S5's. At best, the balance point moved back "Maybe" 1/16" or so.
If I had to guess, I would throw out a guess of about 3-5 grams for the weight of the ramp = probably about 0.1 - 0.2 ounces at best. I don't have a good enough digital scale to weigh the difference. My digital scale is a postage scale that only weighs to the half ounce. I have a spring scale that only weighs up to 16 ounces (cheap food scale - I never measure food weight. I want a good digital scale, but haven't justified yet. If and when I get one, I will make sure it weighs to the 1/100th ounce and up to 3-5 pounds. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />)
But, the modification to the Res-C guard where I cut away the hump of Res-C forward of the index finger and blended/tapered the index finger groove into the back of the metal guard allows the hand to grip forward about 1/4" closer to the guard. This modification DOES affect balance much more noticably because now your index finger/hand is forward about 1/4" more than it was (4 times more noticable than ramp removal - is definitely noticable!). It also increases grip area for those with VERY large hands. Personally, I have quite a few mudder grips and have never felt the need to modify that part of the Res-C guard on a mudder grip. This mudder handle and all others have been plenty roomy for my XL size hands. But, with the S5, I felt like I always wanted to choke up onto that Res-C nub behind the metal guard. Having removed and tapered that section of Res-C into the metal guard just feels a LOT better over-all to me. Again, feel is subjective and many may not feel any justification for this modification. But, it "Feels" significantly better to my hand and balance does seem improved. But, honestly, balance was not an issue for me on the S5 nor a reason for me making the modifications I am making. But, in comparing my two, I can say I think the modified version not only feels better, but has what I think "feels" like better balance as well.
Once I have made a few more refinements, I will post some pics. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
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