Anyone care to define "abuse"

unit

unit

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Nov 22, 2009
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Hi, I am new here. Never introduced myself (sorry to be rude). Great forum and thanks for all the good advice I have received, and will likely continue to receive.

I got to thinking after reading some threads. There is a fair amount of diversity here, and I wonder how some of you define abuse?

What is the hardest use(s) you have put your knives to that you would not classify as "abuse"?

As a follow up, would the manufacturer (of the blade) likely agree that your "hard use" was not "abuse"?

Photos are always fun!
 
You have to keep in mind that the level of "abuse" or "use" varies according to the knife. What would be abuse to a say, simple Buck sheath knife, would just be use to a Busse.
 
I would define abuse as anything done to a blade that requires more than just a sharpening to restore a blade.
 
Abuse of a knife is anything that causes excessive damage along will the possibility of catastrophic failure. If you think your going to break it then its abuse.
 
I believe folders should be used for cutting/slicing. Skinning/hunting knives are used for skinning.
Machetes and large fixed blades are used for chopping/clearing.
If you use a knife for a purpose it is not intended then that is abuse. Prying, hammering through wood etc..
 
I did a feed job on a Sterling pistol with a no name pocket knife. Knife was hard and sharp enough to smooth and widen the ramp, remove the burrs, and radius the sharp edges. Must not have been abuse 'cause it did not hurt the knife, but I don't think the knife was intended to shave steel, even real cheap steel.
 
Bufford said:
I would define abuse as anything done to a blade that requires more than just a sharpening to restore a blade.
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+1 Absolutely. As mentioned earlier, it also depends on the knife. Perhaps tell us which knife you were thinking of?
 
Depends on the knife in question as all knives are not the same.
 
Blais said:
+1 Absolutely. As mentioned earlier, it also depends on the knife. Perhaps tell us which knife you were thinking of?
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It really is a matter of trivia and entertainment. I was not thinking of any knife in particular.

I suspect that most people are most abusive to cheaper knives and less abusive to more expensive knives...which is entertaining in and of itself because often times a reason cited for a more expensive knife is that it is more able to withstand hard use/abuse.

I agree with a lot of what has been said, but seldom does any manufacturer actually state a definition for what the knife was intended for (at least that I have seen). And what a silly list it would be to attempt to list either what a (any) knife can or can not do (comprehensively).

May be it was a stupid request/question on my part. I just figured that there were probably some good stories out there. After all, the reason I carry a blade is to take care of some of the tasks that I do not want to go get the "proper" tool for the job...in fact I can not think of anything I do with my EDC that there is not a more "proper" tool for. I mean let's face it, the most ridiculously light task I use my EDC for is opening mail, and yet a "letter opener" would be considered the proper tool for that job by most.

That sort of brings us to my point...we all draw that line somewhere between EDC use and going and getting the "proper tool" for the job. For those that think they draw the line pretty close to what the knife manufacturer calls "abuse" I would love to hear your stories.

I did not really want to limit it to EDC knives, but I suppose it is a place to start.

Thanks for those of you that choose to share.

Historically, I have abused some folders pretty badly acting like a stupid kid that must have watched some silly ninja movies (mall ninjary). More recently I have moved to MUCH nicer blades to which I offer a much greater respect. I can not think of anything I do (currently) that the manufacturer would call abuse, and I suspect that I baby my blades more than the manufacture probably would like.

May be this is my attempt to make up for all the prying, throwing, and piercing tasks I needlessly attempted as a younger man?
 
We all like to know that our lastest top of the line expensively purchased knife can cut through Darth Vaders Light Sabre, and easily beat X-Caliber in a fair fight. But in my opinion, to use a tool for a purpose it was not intended for is just plain foolish, and it can be right down dangerous if your not prepared for the failure. Why would anyone take only a skinning knife with them if they know their going to shop fire wood / kindlling. Just to prove the knife can do it. To me that's just foolish and a good way to get hurt.

I hate to be cliche, (or old) but sometimes these sayings are around for a reason.

The right tool for the right job.
Take care of your tool and it will take care of you.


Bill
 
unit said:
May be it was a stupid request/question on my part. I just figured that there were probably some good stories out there. After all, the reason I carry a blade is to take care of some of the tasks that I do not want to go get the "proper" tool for the job...in fact I can not think of anything I do with my EDC that there is not a more "proper" tool for. I mean let's face it, the most ridiculously light task I use my EDC for is opening mail, and yet a "letter opener" would be considered the proper tool for that job by most.
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Well, there is a difference between that and, say, using a knife as a crowbar. While a letter opener is certainly the better tool for that particular job, they are uni-taskers and not something you are going to carry around. On the other hand, that pocket knife was designed for general purpose cutting tasks and is handy enough to keep on you at all times.



To me, abuse means not only using the knife for a task which is was in no way designed for, but also failing proper maintenance for that knife's needs... and as others have mentioned, that is something largely defined on a knife to knife basis.

As for me, yea, I am far more likely to abuse a cheapo knife than I am something expensive. Most recently, I've caught myself babying the Bark River Chef/Utility I recently picked up -- setting it down on the counter very gingerly, washing it off between cutting onions and meats and just generally being way too gentle with it -- even though I know their warranty is among the best in the business. My old Henckles on the other hand, gets no special treatment at all, but I wouldn't really say I abuse it. From time to time, I'll leave foodstuff on it overnight, but that's about it.

As far as my EDC goes... between the knife and Leatherman, it's quite rare that I don't have the right tool for the job in the things I do. When I don't, I'll go out of my way to get the right tool if I can reasonably do so. If not, then and only then I will consider abusing a knife... and at that point, I have a few cheapo knives strategically stashed such that hopefully I can abuse one of them instead of my EDC. :p
 
If you need to ask "is this abuse" then 9 out of 10 times it most certainly is.
 
AKnife said:
If you need to ask "is this abuse" then 9 out of 10 times it most certainly is.
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Yeah, and the other 10% of the time it's stuff like "I dipped my knife in really hot water for about 30 seconds, and I'm going to try to cut a pat of butter with it.... will this be covered under warranty?"
 
The general rule with ALL tools, do not use as pry bar, chisel or punch, that's very general and the chisel rule may not apply in some situations.
 
Abuse is damage that occurs to my knife by the action of another person. If I caused the damage it is considered "hard use". :)
 
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