Convexing my Manix 2

tautisg1 · #1

Hi everyone, After lurking on the forums for a couple of months, I have finally decided to join up. Its an awesome community you guys (and gals) have here.

Anyway, back to the topic. This might sound very weird to many of you guys, but after using my manix 2 for awhile, I decided to put a convex edge on it. Now, I really love convex edges on my fixed blades, but I had no idea what a convex edge would do to a folding knife. Also, let's not forget that I have the standard manix with the saber/hollow grind blade. It took around 1 1/2 hours with a 400 grit sand paper. After that, I put on a really nice shiny edge with a 1000, and then 2000 grit sandpaper. After I was finished, I went out and cut a thin branch (around 1 centimeter in diameter). It went right through, without much resistance. It was a much easiee cut than with the V edge. After cutting up a load of brances and twigs, the 154cm was still sharp enough to cleanly slice paper. I was seriously impressed with the performance. I really want to hear everyone's opinions on convexing folders.
Also, it is really nice to join the community. :) Long live :spyder:

Clip · #2

Welcome! And interesting, any pictures? I love my Manix2s.

ChapmanPreferred · #3

Welcome to the forum.

Excellent first post, by the way. When you say you convexed the the edge do you mean that you changed the grind on the blade from a saber hollow to a thin convex or did you convex the edge bevel itself which removes the shoulder of the typical "V" sharpening grind? I have had a Native Lightweight C41PBK in G2 steel reground by Tom Krein to be a convex "blade grind" with a convex micro bevel (small secondary sharpening bevel) which performs very well and is a very easy to sharpen. I have also personally applied a convex edge to a Dragonfly C28PBK in VG-10 steel. I typically, however, stick with the standard "V" sharpening bevel due to the ease of sharpening on the Sharpmaker.

Anyway, please post a pic or a link to a pic, so we can all behold your blade.

Cheers.
Doug

Pockets · #4

Welcome.
I think he means convex edge, I doubt anyone could do a regrind by hand with 400 grit sandpaper in 1 1/2 hours. It's a good idea if you don't have/can't afford more complex sharpening set-ups, or if you want to try something new. I did it to my saber ground Delica, and it works magnificently.
Enjoy the blade!

tautisg1 · #5

Thanks to all for a warm welcome. To answer some questions. I only convexed the edge (the actual v cutting edge), as it would of have taken WAY too long as Pockets said to convex the entire blade and remove the saber grind. I may one day try to grind a full convex edge and see how that cuts :D My camera kinda sucks so hopefully I can take a few descent pictures with the phone.

MachSchnell · #6

I actually prefer convex edges on most of my knives, and it's easy to do with a 1x30 belt sander/grinder. But I have yet to do so on any of my sprint runs for fear of those "oops" moments. If I had a quality sander other than a harbor freight unit than I could manage to get some seriously scary edges. The HF sander has poor belt tracking, only a single speed, low belt tension; and the idler, tracking/guide and power pulleys are all rounded/domed so the belt tension is weird across the face of the working surface. Because of these flaws and the way the belt flaps around it is too easy to round a tip really fast, I'm glad this has only happened on my junk/beater/cheapo knives.

Back to the topic of convex edges; at lower angles they seem offer greater edge stability and glide through material much easier than the conventional flat bevel.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #7

Very nice. I am a fan of the convex edge too. I have done that to a cheap 8Cr13MoV Bee knife, and I have done that to my ZDP Stretch as well.

tautisg1 · #8

Well, you guys asked for a picture, so today, using my Samsung Galaxy S2 Camera I snapped a couple of pictures. It isnt the best, but it is fairly good. I hope you guys like it.

(Hope this works :D )

tautisg1 · #9

Also, another one just for one. Really love the manix. Just the fact that it is made in golden makes me happy. The convex adds to that :)

dbcad · #10

I know what a convex edge is, but have never attempted one. The edges on your Manix look quite nice to me :) I'll bet the Manix makes for a friendly, tough, and sharp blade :) Also enjoyed the pics of the edge. 154CM shines up really nicely :)

tautisg1 · #11

Thanks :) , and yes, you are right about 154cm shining easily. After a fair bit of use, of the knife has dulled and the polish went away, all it takes is 2 minutes on a strop and the shine and edge is back. And yes, the manix is certainly a great blade, and gets ridiculously sharp fairly easily. In my opinion, its a bit of an underrated steel. Glad you liked the pics. :)

dbcad · #12

I totally agree that "plain old 154CM" is underrated. I believe the concensus is that it has many of the same properties as VG-10, which is the standard material for Japanese made Spydies :) It would be neat if some lower cost knives had blades of 154CM.

Belated welcome to the forum

Enjoy your knives and keep 'em sharp :D

Art_vandeley · #13

I love 154CM, not to be confused with CPM154, it`s a great edc steel. And convexed blades are oh so sweet! I convexed my Delica 4, and it is easily the sharpest knife of mine.

ChapmanPreferred · #14

Brilliant job. That looks like a fine edge that should last well and be durable. Thank you for the pics!

defenestrate · #15

Looks and sounds good. Thanks for sharing. Might try this on my Manix2 (the std 154CM one - I think I'll leave the XHP and M$ ones be)

Melektau · #16

I convexed the endura 4 the exact same way you did starting at 400 and ending at 2000 grit sandpaper thinking of doing the zdp dragonfly just got it today and it was beyond razor sharp I dont know how because it had the worst edge ive honestly ever seen on a new knife looked like it had been drug across the pavement a few times chipped to **** im honestly very dissatisfied