Ontario Gen II SP53

[JimStC]

C:\Users\jimstc\New Folder\2012-07-05\001.JPG

This is a techno leap for me. My 1248

How do I get a full sized pic??

Jim

 

[AStone]

Good job, Jim. You're almost there. (Nice pic.

To post the full image, click on the thumbnail to open it, and copy the URL of the image. ( http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=167628&d=1341521512 ).

Then, click on the little image icon in the menu that looks like this

, and paste the knife image into the dialog box, then click ok. It'll put the image where ever your cursor is.

 

[JimStC]

My technical director is in the pool. I will consult with her when she comes in.
Thanks Nem!

Jim

 

[JimStC]

Nem, you are great teacher!!!

 

[AStone]

Shucks. No prob, Jim.

Nice pic. Good to have it here.

Looks like my 53's big brother.

 

[AStone]

I just discovered something of interest.

While looking at an image of another Ontario Gen II 5160 knife of interest
(to be explored in another thread) with the same powder coat,
I thought, "Sandpaper."

Indeed, some fine grit took the roughness right out of the 53 coat
- smooth, close to glass - leaving the protective coat intact.

How interesting. So easy.

 

[JShirley]

Nem, no, I just go for the generic now. As I understand it, it's basically super glue diluted with antiseptic. Especially useful for field environments...or when shooting hundreds of rounds a day.

 

[AStone]

Laughs. OK, got it. Thanks.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Dave, I looked hard at the SP48 during my research for this acquistion; it got super fine reviews. But went with the saber grind SP53 instead, reasoning - perhaps incorrectly - that saber grind would yield more splitting power for batoning than flat ground. I have no data or models to back that up. Thoughts?

And in general, how do you like the 48? What are you using it for? Part of what I'd like to do in this thread is compare and contrast the 53 with similar blades by both Ontario and other makers (e.g., ESEE Junglas; Kabar Cutlass Machete, etc).

Also, very interesting observation about the powder coating. I hadn't considered that, but it makes sense. That coating is hella rough for a blade.

Can you tell me more about how you would do a bluing or add a patina? I'm not familiar with either technique (though I know what "bluing" is; I've just never done it).

...

Just getting back to this thread.

I don't have enough exprerience to opine whether the saber or flat grind would be better for batoning. I'd think you'd want to take two otherwise identical knives and compare them side by side.

Overall I like the SP48 although I really haven't had the chance to use it much. I got it largely so I'd have a large knife suitable for chopping, to save wear and tear on my Camillus-made Becker BK-7.

I saw on the second page of this thread you've tried sanding the blade coating smoother without completely removing it. I may try that instead of stripping it off entirely. If I do strip it off though, I'll either blue it with some Birchwood Casey cold gun blue or smear it with something like vinegar or mustard, to give it a gray patina.

 

[AStone]

Thanks, Dave. Good info.

I understand about being away from a thread.

If anybody needs me, I'm mostly over here researching another blade.

 

[AStone]

Thought I'd update this thread with a new - as of today - image of the SP 53
along with its two new smaller cousins: an ESEE 3 and Izula 2.

(Please pardon the crummy cell image; it's all I've got right now for a cam.)

With the addition of the latter two, and my SAK, my kit is complete for now.
My hypothesis is that these blades will do everything I need to do.

Of course, it's a testable hypothesis. Time will tell.

But I like the kit. It feels good.

 

[mdauben]

Thanks for the review. I've been thinking about getting one of those as a chopper/camp knife.