Swingblade G4

[Leec6.5]

Well after a year or there abouts and a 100 animals or more my G4 needed to meet the lansky for a service, up to now only a few wraps on the steel to keep the edge was required.

No back to razor sharp and rearing to go!

 

[Sheamus]

I recall borrowing a brand new swingblade G4 of a pal of mine to gralloch a large fallow buck some years ago that he'd shot. Razor sharp nearly lost a thumb in the process. All down to user error.
Still prefer my Swibo

 

[roaring_stag]

Out of interest, what angle on the lanky system are you finding get the best result on the G4? Also, have you invested in the round profile hones for dealing with the curved in-zipper blade?

Cheers,

RS

 

[Leec6.5]

Out of interest, what angle on the lanky system are you finding get the best result on the G4? Also, have you invested in the round profile hones for dealing with the curved in-zipper blade?

Cheers,

RS

Second hole down on the blade clamp works for me!

Cant tell you the angle because do t know, but it works for me

 

[FISH BOY]

Second hole down on the blade clamp works for me!

Cant tell you the angle because do t know, but it works for me

That will be 25 deg - sharpen all my knives at that angle as I find it’s all round the best for edge retention vs sharpness. Sticky sharp after a strop.

Must admit my Eka has been relegated to back up for a while, which is a shame really as it’s pretty useful.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

Good knives but I can't see why the unzipping blade needs a curve, would be easier to sharpen if it was straight.

 

[8x57]

I've got the older model of the Swingblade and I really like it. The unzipping blade works just fine for me.
I have no issue with sharpening the main blade but I am not really happy with the result when sharpening the unzipping blade so I emailed EKA some weeks ago to see if there is a recommended method of sharpening but I haven't had a reply yet.

 

[roaring_stag]

I've got the older model of the Swingblade and I really like it. The unzipping blade works just fine for me.
I have no issue with sharpening the main blade but I am not really happy with the result when sharpening the unzipping blade so I emailed EKA some weeks ago to see if there is a recommended method of sharpening but I haven't had a reply yet.

Do you use a curved profile hone to sharpen the unzipper???

RS

 

[Tim.243]

Second hole down on the blade clamp works for me!

Cant tell you the angle because do t know, but it works for me

It is Friday Lee

 

[Tim.243]

Good knives but I can't see why the unzipping blade needs a curve, would be easier to sharpen if it was straight.

I use a F.Dick tripe knife and sheer Fallow ribs no problem so as I come down the sternum the tip and lead of the curve is cutting on a small area. The bigger handle allows both hands to hold it.

 

[8x57]

Do you use a curved profile hone to sharpen the unzipper???

RS

No I don't.
I'm now thinking that perhaps I should.

 

[delta wolf]

Whilst the lansky will work fine on the main blade as it has a secondary bevel, I can't see how it can work properly on the unzipper as it is both curved and a hollow/concave grind.
This is designed for the unzipper;

Dianova Flex Sharpener for EKA G3 - Dual Sided Fine and Coarse - Cyclaire Knives and Tools

Buy Dianova Flex Sharpener for EKA G3 - Dual Sided Fine and Coarse F95G at Cyclaire Knives and Tools - Large range of Dianova Sharpeners products available from Stock

www.cyclaireshop.co.uk

 

[Keith Edmunds]

I use a F.Dick tripe knife and sheer Fallow ribs no problem so as I come down the sternum the tip and lead of the curve is cutting on a small area. The bigger handle allows both hands to hold it.

TBH, I mostly just use an upturned main blade but I've noticed custom builders are just making gutting blades straight now - now curve - and I could never understand the need for a concave curve in the first place.

Not used the F.Dick knife but bought a Caribou 100mm Rabbit knife and must say, those large handles on butchery knives are really nice in the hand - I will give that tripe knife a look.

 

[Overlay]

have a look at Marc zowbroski upside down blade they sharpen up nicely, as well as unzipping it is a very handy little blade when releasing the internals, i guess because you can keep it very sharp without cutting into anything you don’t want to, so easy to sharpen a flat grind blade edge

I like every aspect of the G4 fantastic working blade the curve and grind I have a problem keeping a good edge, ( I have tried) hence I stick with flat grind

 

[Tazz]

I've got the older model of the Swingblade and I really like it. The unzipping blade works just fine for me.
I have no issue with sharpening the main blade but I am not really happy with the result when sharpening the unzipping blade so I emailed EKA some weeks ago to see if there is a recommended method of sharpening but I haven't had a reply yet.

I have the same older Swingblade model and have never attempted to sharpen the curved bull nose end, please post if EKA come back to you

 

[Overlay]

TBH, I mostly just use an upturned main blade but I've noticed custom builders are just making gutting blades straight now - now curve - and I could never understand the need for a concave curve in the first place.

Not used the F.Dick knife but bought a Caribou 100mm Rabbit knife and must say, those large handles on butchery knives are really nice in the hand - I will give that tripe knife a look.

so much easier with a smallish upturned blade I think bernard garland made or still makes a blade with the top edge ground out to fit and stop your finger slipping when un zipping, handy piece of kit

 

[Keith Edmunds]

have a look at Marc zowbroski upside down blade they sharpen up nicely, as well as unzipping it is a very handy little blade when releasing the internals, i guess because you can keep it very sharp without cutting into anything you don’t want to, so easy to sharpen a flat grind blade edge

I like every aspect of the G4 fantastic working blade the curve and grind I have a problem keeping a good edge, ( I have tried) hence I stick with flat grind

I have actually handled the Marc Zowbrowski knives at a training day at Chippenham and they do look and feel great, never used one in anger though, but does look good kit.

 

[Overlay]

so much easier with a smallish upturned blade I think bernard garland made or still makes a blade with the top edge ground out to fit and stop your finger slipping when un zipping, handy piece of kit

just checked, I think he has now stopped making blades which is a shame

 

[Omega]

I'm looking for a knife that is convenient to zip bellies of deer and other animals and have a few questions:
1. Has anyone had experience of using EKA Swingblade G4 against other fixed blade knives to unzip animals, particularly Mora Roeing and Victorinox 6' Gut and Tripe? Wonder what knife is more convenient. I borrow Mora Roeing while hunting and like it, plus see fixed blades are quicker to wash, but G4 can be disassembled and looks cool
2. The main blade - how good is it on G4 in terms of being thin enough for comfortable cutting and how good is edge retention? I have quite a few expensive knives - Randall Bird and Trout, Busse BA3, Chris Reeve Sebenza large - but find Mora 2000 and Roselli knives are more convenient to use because the blade are not too thick. Yes, Mora does not hold the edge as long as others, but still long enough
Thank you

​

 

[Leec6.5]

I'm looking for a knife that is convenient to zip bellies of deer and other animals and have a few questions:
1. Has anyone had experience of using EKA Swingblade G4 against other fixed blade knives to unzip animals, particularly Mora Roeing and Victorinox 6' Gut and Tripe? Wonder what knife is more convenient. I borrow Mora Roeing while hunting and like it, plus see fixed blades are quicker to wash, but G4 can be disassembled and looks cool
2. The main blade - how good is it on G4 in terms of being thin enough for comfortable cutting and how good is edge retention? I have quite a few expensive knives - Randall Bird and Trout, Busse BA3, Chris Reeve Sebenza large - but find Mora 2000 and Roselli knives are more convenient to use because the blade are not too thick. Yes, Mora does not hold the edge as long as others, but still long enough
Thank you

​

Its a good knife, just depends on how much crap you wanna haul around with you really, personally, I have one knife that does one job I don’t take a whole cutlery drawer with me stalking, if it can’t fit in my pocket doesn’t go simple as!

Probably used the G4 on 150 animals so far and used it on the Lansky ones to refresh the blade.

I have used most knifes, but refuse to buy custom expensive jobs because I personally think they’re waste of money.

You can gralloch a deer with a stanley knife so really all comes down to preference!