Benefits of the regrind

[Muad'Dib]

I've read mention of the Krein regrind, and I believe at least one other. Is this pretty much just thinning the existing spyderco ffg or creating one on a knife that spyderco designed without one? It seems to me that this should void spyderco's warranty as well as weakening the blade. So what are the benefits? Especially on knives that already had a ffg?

[Evil D]

Most of what you see are regrinds on flat saber grind or hollow grind blades. People who grind down an already FFG blade just want an even thinner blade for delicate slicing tasks.

[Muad'Dib]

I see. Does it void the warranty?

[Handwrecker]

Here's their warranty info:

http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=10

It says that repairs done by anyone other than Spyderco voids the warranty, and if the knife is used in a way it is not intended for (and it breaks) than that also voids the warranty. So, if you have a thinned out blade from another knife maker and it breaks from prying, then it would not be covered by warranty.

[Muad'Dib]

Thanks for the info. I think I won't be regrinding any of my knives, I seem to like them how spyderco made them.

[SQSAR]

Is it just me, or does it seem like FFG is all the buzz lately? Personal preferences aside (as much as they can be for this question) with the exception of offering better slicing ability, are there any other appreciable benefits to this grind, especially when it leaves you with a very thin blade (particularly up towards the tip)? For EDC I like a lightweight blade, but not when it comes at the cost of severely weakening the blade as a whole. :confused:

[feed_the_animals]

I think "appreciable benefits" varies. FFG seems to increase the appeal of Spyders as lovely-looking fetish objects. Colored FFG Delica 4's as a case in point. Aside from Persians, I know that for me FFG is more aesthetically pleasing on most knives.

[.357 mag]

I don't know what everyone uses there knife for but all my saber grounds blade cut thing just fine. I do feel I can push a bit harder than a FFG with my sabers ground blades.

[SQSAR]

My thoughts exactly.

[TooSharp]

If your cutting up apples or oranges at lunch then a FFG is what you want. Otherwise a Saber grind is much more robust.

[Blerv]

Think of blades aerodynamically. Thin them out and they slice better but they can get weaker.

There are few golden fleeces of performance out there. Mod at your own risk and enjoy the new classification.

[chuck_roxas45]

Unless you really need to cut a lot of thick materials that bind up a thicker grind, you probably won't absolutely "need" an FFG. If you just occasionally cut thick material, then I don't think a thick grind will be much of a disadvantage cutting performance wise.

Your intended use should probably dictate the kind of grind your knife should have.

[Antonio_Luiz]

Is it just me, or does it seem like FFG is all the buzz lately? Personal preferences aside (as much as they can be for this question) with the exception of offering better slicing ability, are there any other appreciable benefits to this grind, especially when it leaves you with a very thin blade (particularly up towards the tip)? For EDC I like a lightweight blade, but not when it comes at the cost of severely weakening the blade as a whole. :confused:

My Endura 3's came with hollow ground edges with a sabre grind. 2 are USN safequeens, one of which is Tom Krein modified and he's thinned out the hollow grind even more. Being safequeens I have no idea if it is an improvement over the regular USN but it certainly looks more vicious. The third Endura works just fine on thin material but since I rarely use them on anything thick it hasn't been at a disadvantage versus the other knives in my carry rotatation. However, my personal preference is for FFG and a convexed edge.

Sabre grind strength isn't an issue since I swore never to use a knife for prying after I broke the tip of a Kai 25 years ago - it was my favourite kitchen knife at the time.

[Joshua J.]

A knife is made to cut.
If you use yours for other things that's your choice, and most manufacturers produce knives that are durable enough to take a little misuse.
If you use a knife for its intended purpose and want it to work as well as it possibly can, then thinning out the edge, or the entire blade, is the only way to go.
It's the same as the difference between a $500,000 racing car and a $14,995 econo-box. The race car does what it was made to do incredibly well, but will break down if you treat it with anything but the utmost care and respect.
The econo-box was made to be used clumsily and crudely, to do the job despite the deficiencies of the user.

[The Deacon]

People have blades reground for purely cosmetic reasons, or to increase slicing performance, or both. For me, it's been both. Spyderco tends to "play it safe", and grinds their knives to withstand use by folk more familiar with brute force than finesse. I've been using pocket knives for nearly sixty years and have gotten pretty good at finesse. So, when I decided the Schempp Persian might look even better and slice better with a full flat ground blade and thinner edge, I was willing to trade off a bit of blade strength to get them. Same with the Kiwi, wondered how one would look and perform with a super thin FFG blade. Tom Krein regrinds answered those questions for me, and I've been very pleased with the answers. FWIW, the other day I gently "batonned" my Krein Kiwi through 100 aspirin tablets without damage. :D

It's kind of like cars, where people do all sorts of things to increase performance or make it look prettier to them. And, like cars, increasing performance in one area generally will have a negative impact on performance in at least one other area, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Only difference is a Krein regrind costs a lot less than having an engine bored and stroked or slapping a huge spoiler on the deck lid of a car that will never be driven over 80mph.

As for the warranty, I never gave it a thought. Probably because the only warranty issues I've ever encountered were obvious within 30 seconds the first time I opened the box. IMHO, nearly every thread I've ever read where someone claimed to have a warranty problem with a knife they'd owned for more than a week or two, the "defect" appeared to be the result of abuse, neglect, accident, or ham-fisted attempts at maintenance.

[marknett]

Do you wanna look Cool or KEWL ... The ffg just looks cooler to me . Both grinds have their own advantages. Its just a "cool Thang" choice for me .. Fixing to order an Endura ffg Soon

[araneae]

Its pretty user (and task) specific as to which grind works best for them. I like FFG for most mundane around the house tasks. Slicing cardboard, trimming plants in the garden, opening packages, etc. If I am likely to use the knife harder at work, I may choose to compliment a FFG knife with something in a bit more robust grind. All good, just different. Both will get the job done, but one will do it more easily.

[Javascript]

Do you wanna look Cool or KEWL ...

I look the same regardless of what knife is clipped to my pocket.

The ffg just looks cooler to me .

Heretic. Down right inapropriate for some knives. Gaze upon a :spyder: Gayle Bradley FFG with thine eyes? No Sir! That way madness lies...

Indeed, a FFG blade lacks character. It's so...indistinct.

[Teddy Thompson]

Heretic. Down right inapropriate for some knives. Gaze upon a :spyder: Gayle Bradley FFG with thine eyes? No Sir! That way madness lies...

Indeed, a FFG blade lacks character. It's so...indistinct.

IDK, to me the Bradley blade looks like a tarted up version of the Stretch's.

[HotSoup]

Slices better.
Easier to resharpen.
Reduces weight.

I find the saber grind on the Enduras and Delicas to be too thick for food prep IMO.

You can always increase strength by using a thicker blade stock. Chinook 3 is FFG, but has a 4mm blade if I'm not mistaken.