Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
-
- Member
- Posts: 5858
- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:01 pm
- Location: Missouri, USA
Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
A few months ago I got in on a BOGO deal on the Spyderco Rescue 3 FFG.
It's a nice knife. Very sharp, and the combination of FFG and sheepsfoot blade make for an impressive cutter. One of the first times I used it was for cutting brush and branches while cleaning up after a local tornado.
If I had one complaint, it would be that the overall profile in the pocket is rather large. IMO the blade seemed wider than it really needed to be, causing it to take up a lot of room in my pocket.
I've been thinking of modifying the blade shape a bit to make it more pocket friendly as well as look better:
We have a 6×48 belt sander at work, for which (once upon a time) I had personally gotten some belts, ranging from 40 grit to 600 grit. Using the 40 grit, and dipping the knife in a bucket of ice water every second or two, I soon had the rough shape I desired:
I switched to a 120 grit belt to smooth out the rougher scratches. Turned out nicely.
The other thing I wanted to try was thinning down the edge a bit. For this I put on an 80 grit belt and proceeded with extreme caution. I never let the knife blade get even warm but kept it ice cold throughout. Even so after a few passes I decided to stop, turn off the sander, and do it by hand. The sander was just too fast and would've only taken a split second to ruin something.
I finished with the 80 grit and put on the 120 grit, still sanding by hand. After the 120 I finished with a 320 grit.
In progress:
My re-grind job isn't perfect - there's some slight convexing as well as a few scratches left - but it turned out better than I though it would for a first try.
Finished product:
It's my first ever mod job and was a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to carrying and using the knife and seeing how it performs.
It's a nice knife. Very sharp, and the combination of FFG and sheepsfoot blade make for an impressive cutter. One of the first times I used it was for cutting brush and branches while cleaning up after a local tornado.
If I had one complaint, it would be that the overall profile in the pocket is rather large. IMO the blade seemed wider than it really needed to be, causing it to take up a lot of room in my pocket.
I've been thinking of modifying the blade shape a bit to make it more pocket friendly as well as look better:
We have a 6×48 belt sander at work, for which (once upon a time) I had personally gotten some belts, ranging from 40 grit to 600 grit. Using the 40 grit, and dipping the knife in a bucket of ice water every second or two, I soon had the rough shape I desired:
I switched to a 120 grit belt to smooth out the rougher scratches. Turned out nicely.
The other thing I wanted to try was thinning down the edge a bit. For this I put on an 80 grit belt and proceeded with extreme caution. I never let the knife blade get even warm but kept it ice cold throughout. Even so after a few passes I decided to stop, turn off the sander, and do it by hand. The sander was just too fast and would've only taken a split second to ruin something.
I finished with the 80 grit and put on the 120 grit, still sanding by hand. After the 120 I finished with a 320 grit.
In progress:
My re-grind job isn't perfect - there's some slight convexing as well as a few scratches left - but it turned out better than I though it would for a first try.
Finished product:
It's my first ever mod job and was a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to carrying and using the knife and seeing how it performs.
- Connor
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Great job! Looks really nice. I'd much prefer your modded knife over the production version, no doubt.
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Very nice work. I know the original is built for strength in emergencies, but that looks real nice. Thanks for sharing. :cool:
- best wishes, Jazz.
-
- Member
- Posts: 5858
- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:01 pm
- Location: Missouri, USA
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Thanks both of you for the kind words!
Yeah that makes sense; being an "emergency" knife, the more strength the better.
- Connor
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Very nice! Looks like the mod made it more functional for you.
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Nice job! You could have also ground it to the ‘03/‘04 spec.
- Attachments
-
- D9843B96-5BA1-4B0C-B049-38CC5370CEB2.jpeg (42.86 KiB) Viewed 1215 times
Last edited by Dodge on Mon Oct 14, 2019 10:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
Flash Batch request: Flat Iron Salt (CE w/ yellow FRN)
New knife request: Police 4 Salt!!!
“Don’t be so open minded that your brain falls out”
New knife request: Police 4 Salt!!!
“Don’t be so open minded that your brain falls out”
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
I really don't know why but I've always liked that Spyderco RESCUE models and the blade just the way it is. For some strange reason I've always been intrigued with blades with a thick, heavy spine. Maybe it's just a psychological quirk on my part but I do like those RESCUE blades just like they are. And I'm not a super big Wharncliffe fan per se either. Even though Michael Janich has convinced me that PE Wharnies have true tactical value.
The old Stainless handled RESCUE models out of the ATS-55 era are without a doubt my favorite sheepsfoot /RESCUE type blades that Spyderco has ever put out. I still EDC a stainless RESCUE model on a frequent basis and it would take a super tank of a folder to replace it in my EDC rotation too. But I guess I'm weird by Spyderville standards because the really "heavy" folders don't bother me either. OK I'll go make an appointment to see my shrink now :o :D
The old Stainless handled RESCUE models out of the ATS-55 era are without a doubt my favorite sheepsfoot /RESCUE type blades that Spyderco has ever put out. I still EDC a stainless RESCUE model on a frequent basis and it would take a super tank of a folder to replace it in my EDC rotation too. But I guess I'm weird by Spyderville standards because the really "heavy" folders don't bother me either. OK I'll go make an appointment to see my shrink now :o :D
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Am I the only one who is deeply bothered when the serration pattern doesn't start and end with a large scallop? Man that absolutely drives me crazy.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
~David
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Is there a purpose for that shape? It looks very intentional.
Likes FRN
:spyder: MEMBER OF THE CRUWEAR NATION :spyder:
:spyder: MEMBER OF THE CRUWEAR NATION :spyder:
-
- Member
- Posts: 5858
- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:01 pm
- Location: Missouri, USA
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Thanks everyone!
- Connor
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
I think the cut out in the blade is for your index finger. Helps control the knife a little better when slipping it under a seat belt or clothing.
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Yes that is correct it was an index finger rest.
Flash Batch request: Flat Iron Salt (CE w/ yellow FRN)
New knife request: Police 4 Salt!!!
“Don’t be so open minded that your brain falls out”
New knife request: Police 4 Salt!!!
“Don’t be so open minded that your brain falls out”
- DutchBlades
- Member
- Posts: 1717
- Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:23 pm
- Location: Netherlands
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Nice one!
Reminds me of the SpyderSaw in a way :p
Reminds me of the SpyderSaw in a way :p
A tiger has claws.
A wolf has teeth.
An eagle has talons.
We, have Spyderco.
Grails: Abalone Mini Mariner, Ti ATR, WTC, Ti Lum Tanto
A wolf has teeth.
An eagle has talons.
We, have Spyderco.
Grails: Abalone Mini Mariner, Ti ATR, WTC, Ti Lum Tanto
-
- Member
- Posts: 5858
- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:01 pm
- Location: Missouri, USA
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
On this knife it's actually worse than that; the edge ends only halfway on a small scallop. If you want to cut with the very tip you can push or pull.
- Connor
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
I’m with you! I also like the 1/2” or so of PE at the tip like the pac salt or salt 2.The Meat man wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2019 5:35 pmOn this knife it's actually worse than that; the edge ends only halfway on a small scallop. If you want to cut with the very tip you can push or pull.
- JacksonKnives
- Member
- Posts: 837
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:28 pm
- Location: Alberta, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Could be worse; they could start with a full scallop at both ends and wind up with a half-scallop in the middle...The Meat man wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2019 5:35 pmOn this knife it's actually worse than that; the edge ends only halfway on a small scallop. If you want to cut with the very tip you can push or pull.
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Very nice. Much more attractive shape.The Meat man wrote: ↑Sat Oct 12, 2019 1:41 pmI've been thinking of modifying the blade shape a bit to make it more pocket friendly as well as look better:
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
Very nice, neat mod Connor. :cool:
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
Re: Spyderco Rescue 3 mod
I prefer that as well.