is the edge on the s5 a convex edge?

Nope.

thanks P-easy.
Does anyone have any recomendations toward sharpening an s5le without the use of a belt sander, and is convexing an edge best if you dont plan on doing heavy chopping?

You can try the mousepad way of making a convex edge. It takes longer but its fun!

I would expect that the knives would get sharper on average as the production numbers increase at least up to a certain point.

They don't call it a learning curve for nothin'. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />