Aesthetics are subjective. So, I am in no way criticizing your preference. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

But, personally, I honestly think it "looks" nicer without as much as I prefer the function, versatility and feel of no ramp. Just my opinion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

I like the thumbramp too.

I like the ramp and wouldn't Mod it but if the S5 came without one I wouldn't complain either.

I got out with my S5 today for only the second time. I am liking it more and more. It is a worker at a light weight.

I have wondered this as well, as the squarish choil compared to the rounded choil on the S6 & DM. But I see things from a different point of view(hunter first & foremost!). So the square choil & thumb ramps just do not work for me in a 'practical' sense. But saying that. Used for stabbing, batoning, prying situation, I can see how it could be useful. Still, I think it's still not needed. Just MO though.

Our SOD has the same sort of thumb ramp & square choil. Choking up on that knife is just not comfortable for what I do. And some here might say what do you mean?
I choke up to a knife different to most men. Most I see use their index finger. I do not. I use my middle finger with my index on the spine to guide my strokes with skinning/boning-out. But like I said, that's how I use all my knives.
Plus the ramp gets in the way when performing 'gutting & down the leg' strokes.
It's hard to explain in words but the hunters here will know what I mean
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thumb ramp on the S5 works great for me. I like it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And hey, it's easier to get rid of the ramp if you don't like it than it would be to add one if it didn't have one and you wanted it...right? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I debated for a while and then chose to remove the thumb ramp. Also removed the guard. I liked this configuration so much that my SOD received the exact same mods. I fell in love with my SOD all over again and far prefer it in the modified state than the original. As knifeguy says, everybody has their own preferences.

kgd ! can we get some pics of your mods?

+1

Thanks for the interest guys. Admittedly my mods are kind of a hack job compared to knifeguy's but here they are.



Why I like the SOD-MOD so much is it really lets me choke up on the knife in a way I couldn't do with the combined ramp and guard. You can see here where I can get both my index finger in the choil and my second finger holding onto what used to be the guard. Using the knife like this really lets me work the tip in a detailed way that I couldn't do previously.



And this is the natural position I had, where my thumb used to kind of land on the ramp.



The SOD is More attractive with the ramp and finger guard. I'm the first one to admit that, but as you can see with all the coating rubbing on mine, its love comes from its use more than its looks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

In hand shot of the modded S5. I didn't touch the choil like Knifeguy did.





A close up of the convex that both knives sport



I did take the S5 out camping two weeks ago. Its a hell of a belt knife!



Used an old pouch sheath from another knife.