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That S5 looks really nice...great job.

SWEEEEEET- am really liking the mods <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. How sharp is it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />? Looks great- but let's see it CUT <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />-Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Recon1,

The S5 is an AWESOME knife that will go down as a CLASSIC for sure!

There isn't much wrong with the S5 as it was. Most of my mods were pretty minor tweaks except for satin finishing. Personally, I will ALWAYS prefer satin. Even on highly prone to rust SR-101.

I prefer both the looks and function of satin.

I would love the INFI version, but I can't justify the INFI price right now. I had hoped for satin INFI closer to $150. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I actually started stripping my SR-101 before the INFI LE price was posted.

But, for those who can afford it, satin INFI is HARD to beat! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

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My thoughts on my modifications:

- Stripping and SATIN finishing - looks WAY nicer and cuts better in "some" cases

- Remove thumb ramp - feels better "to me" and offers more versatility "for me" - Some like the ramp though. Which I can appreciate. As far as ramps go, it is pretty good.)

- Remove front bump of Res-C and blend into single larger, smoother transitioning Res-C into metal guard - To me, all other Res-C handles felt fine. But, for me, somehow the S5's double-bump guard didn't feel quite right. I REALLY like the subtle improvement of this mod. But, others might not. (????). However, I would bet in a blind handling test, most would prefer my Res-C mod on the S5. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

- Enlarge and round out choil - To each their own. I like the rounded choil. It is more secure, more comfortable and less prone to blade edge corner nicks on index finger.

- Dropped the point - Just a personal preference for my uses. Works better for most of what I do. But, the factory blade shape is VERY good. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

- Slightly flattened the edge belly curve - Same as above.

- Convexed edge and most of blade - while retaining a sabre grind - I prefer my re-profiled edges..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> I will leave it at that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

- Slightly rounded and polished spine - Slight aesthetic improvement IMO and slight improvement in feel. I like just a slight rounded spine vs. a full half round radius. I also sometimes do a flat grind with 45 degree bevels. That can look nice as well. I actually beveled my choil with 45 degree bevels, but the bevels don't show well in the pic. 45 degree bevels are a bit easier. Slightly rounded looks and feels a bit nicer IMO. But, just a personal preference and not a huge issue for function for most.


In the end, outside of satin, the other tweaks are just minor tweaks that work a bit better for me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

The S5 is still a GREAT knife as it comes from the factory. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

It is sharp! and PLENTY sharp for most <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ... and I haven't even put my final sharpening strop touches on it yet. I like that little extra crazy edge. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I just finished it from the belt sharpening a while ago. I don't have a leather belt for my sander yet and have to leather strop by hand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
But, I keep some of my old belts and flip them over. I put compound on the back of those belts to get edges pretty darn sharp and pretty well polished that way. But, the belt backs aren't quite as smooth as I prefer and the leather strop still gets a bit better.

From finishing with the belts, all I have cut has been some test magazine paper and a couple of paper receipts I had nearby while sharpening.

It currently makes NICE SMOOTH slivers in fine magazine paper and thin receipts.

And with the re-profiled convex edge, it will cut everything "I" prefer to cut better than it did. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Maybe tomorrow I can polish it a bit more on my strop and make a feather stick or something?


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It "Feels" nice in the hand while cutting. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />


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I'll take it!!!!!

And-I'll take the RMD <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't have your ambition for wholesale modding, but I did remove front bump of Res-C for a smoother transition to the metal guard on one of my S5s. Sanding the handle abraded a bit of Moss blade coating off the back of the guard, but not much, and I agree that it really does improve the handle ergonomics. It also loosened the (kydex) sheath retention, but I believe the knife is still held adequately.

Can't have either. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


I have to admit.... As much as I LOVE the S5, after modding both, about the only thing the S5 has over the RMD is mega-light-weight.

I love mudders. But, the RMD's handle is VERY nice to me. I have done some VERY minor re-shaping of my RMD's handle to fit my hand a bit better and will probably do just a bit more. But, it is a VERY good handle design. And as much as I love Mudders and like Res-C for many things. I honestly think micarta is nicer in many cases.

The RMD now balances perfectly on my index finger and feels very good. But, I still want to take about 1 to 1.5 ounces of weight out of the handle.
I am looking into water jet cutting to skeletonize my RMD and HRLM's tangs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
I found someone who will do it, but they have a minimum charge that would probably cut 6-10 knives or so. I don't have that many knives to cut and don't want to pay the minimum. So, I will see if I can find somebody to cut 2 (my RMD and HRLM) for a better price. We'll see.

I also have to pick up some hollow tubing and gear up to flare some tubing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I prefered the S5's original blade shape compared to the RMD's original blade shape. And obviously I didn't change the S5's blade shape as much as I modified the RMD's blade. But, now, the two have almost identical blades. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I came up with a concept Bog Dog II based on the RMD's handle a long time ago. My Bog Dog II's blade shape is essentially like the S5's or a mini SJTAC's blade. I actually photo-chopped and scaled down my SJTAC's blade onto the RMD's handle.

I don't know WHY I never thought to just modify my RMD's handle. Again, just a personal preference. For MANY applications, the RMD's blade is VERY good.

I had mostly satin finished my RMD a long time ago and just now modified the blade shape.

I dropped the point on S5 and shallowed it's belly just a hair.

Then I reshaped the RMD into what I wanted. The two are VERY close in blade shape and size right now. And I like them both a LOT.

I weigh my coated S5CG at about 6.5 ounces.
My stripped, satin, modified S5CG is about 6.25 ounces (I don't have a digital gram scale, but, a cheap spring scale. So, best estimate.

My modified RMD weighs about 9.5 ounces. My micarta RMD was about 10.0 ounces before modifications. I hope to get my RMD down to 8 - 8.5 ounces while maintaining it's current shape by skeletonizing the tang. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Either way, as is or lighter, the RMD is just AWESOME right now for me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

But, so is the S5.

They are BOTH awesome to me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

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





Yeah, many mods affect standardized fitted kydex sheaths. You need to have a more generic leather fitted sheath or have a custom fitted leather or kydex sheath after making mods.

I modify so much that I rarely buy kydex. Plus, over time with sharpening, re-profiling and such, the blades often get loose in kydex. But, most don't get as carried away as I do. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

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Marvelous work KG. Just stunning. I want my S5 to look EXACTLY like that.

Excellent design choices. I'm glad Dan built a knife with so many possibilities.

KG, very nice work on your S5! I knew from your plans that it would turn out great and it looks fantastic! I really like what you did with the ResC and the choil. A+ mods.