Well.... I finally finished the mods to my S5CG.

And I love this knife!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I have mentioned in some previous other posts about some of the modifications I was doing / intending to do.

The modifications include:

- Stripping and SATIN finishing

- Remove thumb ramp

- Remove front bump of Res-C and blend into single larger, smoother transitioning Res-C into metal guard

- Enlarge and round out choil

- Dropped the point

- Slightly flattened the edge belly curve

- Convexed edge and most of blade - while retaining a sabre grind

- Slightly rounded and polished spine

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Here is the best pic I could get so far:



Modified Res-C and Choil:





Rounded and polished spine:




Blade pic:




Compared to non-modified S5CG:



The above picture should have the choils lined up at the front of the choils - as I made sure NOT to grind the choil forward into the blade edge.
So, the above pic makes the guard look possibly ground from the back/handle side. It was not. It was ground from the choil side and enlarged into the guard.

The above pic should have been aligned like this:




Another close up comparing choils and modified Res-C (not a good angle, but I kept getting glare <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ):





Some in process pics:


Coating removed, still with decarb gray layer (hard to see pits under decarb layer, but they are there... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ):







Pic of first step of modification to Res-C. I used a thin and narrow sharp blade to shape it. I think this modification made HUGE improvements to the feel of the knife. But, if anyone else attempts, make sure to be careful to NOT CUT TOO DEEP. If you cut too much Res-C, you get to the tang and will have too thin a layer of Res-C.

[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/ScrapYard-S5CGMudderhandleaftercuts.jpg[/img]

Then with some sandpaper, I just smoother out the cut marks. Res-C sands just fine. It rolls up little rubber balls, but the end result is nice:

[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/ScrapYard-S5CGsatinfinishedthumbram.jpg[/img]

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Here are a couple of pics taken shortly after just starting to grind.

Notice how VERY quickly SR-101 will rust. That rust develops within a few minutes while I dunk during grinding. And that was with wiping off most of the excess water. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/ScrapYard-S5CGsatinfinishinginpr-1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/ScrapYard-S5CGsatinfinishinginproce.jpg[/img]




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I like the blade shape so much, I have started to modify my RMD into my concept Bog Dog II shape:

[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/SwampRat-RMDwithmodified-dropped-1.jpg[/img]

I still have a few mods I want to do to my RMD. The above pic isn't the final satin finish, convexed completely, sharpened or one other significant mod I am looking to do. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />



.

Nice, KG. I'm a huge fan of both your S5 and RMD. I really like what you did with the choil. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

It looks like you mod'd the rear of the guard as well. How much did you take off it?

I like the idea of shifting the finger closer to the guard, with the res c mod,the choil I don't. It looks like it's starting to take on a "rat" appearance vs a "dog"

Excellent work! Can I send you my knives for a fix up job?

Sweet looking blade !

very nice job on the mods!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thanks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />


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No. Not really. Other than stripping the coating and satin polishing. But, that is a very small amount of material removal - relatively speaking anyway. I actually just lined them up wrong in the face off pic. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />



I actually "Did" enlarge the the choil (from the choil side) and I did enlarge it back into the guard.

I put the string in the pic to serve as a line-up line. ... And then lined them up wrong. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

The satin blade should be moved back to line up the back of the guards.

In the pic, I have the satin one forward of where it should be like this:



But, I should have aligned the front of the choils - as I made sure NOT to grind forward into the edge.

The alignement should be like this:



<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

Nice mods..

The first pic...it looks real sleek..

The shifting of the finger closer to the guard by removing and re-shaping that Res-C bump/guard is a VERY nice improvement to feel. And a pretty easy modification. So, long as you don't remove too much Res-C and get into the knife tang.

However, for those aiming to keep the thumb ramp, keep in mind, modifying the Res-C like I did will change the thumb alignment on the ramp.




I am not that loyal to a design feature. Especially if I don't think the "dog/square" design fits, feels and works as I would prefer.

I prefer a choil that fits, feels and works better. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> - If it be a "Rat" choil, then so be it. I have NO problem with that.

Sorry if that somehow offends dedicated Loyal SY "Dogs". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> But, for the record, "MOST" SY designs to date have had a "round" choil. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> - Including: SS4, DM series, S6, Yard Guard/Hook....

The Muk and MPLE have had their own unique choil designs.

The Yard Keeper had the non-functioning over-sized Busse-like choil - Which I do NOT like. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" />

Only the DF, SOD and the S5 have the square choil. So, a small percentage.

I am happy with and prefer my modified S5 choil.
You are welcome to keep yours square if you like it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

.

I love mine as is but I have to say that you did a fine job with the mod. Very nice. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />