Anyone ever cut aluminium tape with your folding knife?

nccole

nccole

Joined
Jun 2, 2011
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I cut some aluminum tape for ducting with my Sage3 the other day. I cut it from the paper side and the Al side and man oh man did it dull my knife fast. It touched up pretty fast on the Sharpmaker, but I was a little surprised how fast and the level of dullness it obtained. I tried cutting a piece of cardboard and it looked like I just ripped the cardboard. I have seen guys cut aluminum cans, and I know Al is a metal, but was still surprised at how much dulling it did to my knife. Anyone cut that stuff on a regular basis, and if so how?
 
I don't cut alumium tape often but typically use serattions for that type of work and if i only have a partially serated knife i just use the seratted portion. I do cut open aluminum cans with my knives too.
 
Most of the time the aluminum tape tears easily enough that I don't have to cut it. Sometimes I need to use my knife to separate it after it's already been applied but usually it's just using the tip. I can't say for certain whether it dulls my knife or not as I periodically run it through a sharpener regardless.
 
How sharp was your knife before you started? I think your issue might have more to do with the fact its tape. Adhesive residue makes any knife feel dull. I've cut over 250 inches of sheet aluminum with a no name stainless steel blade and it would still split beard hair held between my fingers.
 
It was shaving sharp. Never thought about the edge just being covered with residue, maybe I will try it again and just clean it and then test for sharpness.
 
blame it on god said:
What steel? I've cut aluminum tape and cans with no problem.
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He used a sage 3 which mean CPM S30V steel. High end steel but will lose a keen edge quickly and maintain a rough working edge for a good bit.


I've never done this kind of work with any of my s30 blades but I have with 8cr, aus 8, victorinox stainless, and other low end steels with out much issue. Maybe your edge angle was to thin and you needed a micro bevel for that kind of work. I know I personally prefer the thinnest angle possible but if it is a user knife I'll put a tiny micro bevel on it to keep damage at a minimum.
 
Swoop03 said:
He used a sage 3 which mean CPM S30V steel. High end steel but will lose a keen edge quickly and maintain a rough working edge for a good bit.


I've never done this kind of work with any of my s30 blades but I have with 8cr, aus 8, victorinox stainless, and other low end steels with out much issue. Maybe your edge angle was to thin and you needed a micro bevel for that kind of work. I know I personally prefer the thinnest angle possible but if it is a user knife I'll put a tiny micro bevel on it to keep damage at a minimum.
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It had a 40 degree micro bevel on it. That knife is my "beater" knife. I don't do stupid stuff with it, but it gets used hard. It was one of a few S30V blades that rolled on me, and it got a micro bevel after its initial re-profile iirc.
 
I just went to the garage, made 20 cuts (5 paper side, 15 Al side) across aluminum tape with BM 940 s30v 30* inclusive angle. Still shaving sharp & breeze through cardboard.
 
I've cut aluminum tape before. I don't remember what knives I used each time, but I'd guess one of my EDC's (probably 14C28N, D2, AUS-8, or VG10 at the time) or Leatherman (420HC). I don't recall it having any noticeable effect on the edge. My guess is the adhesive got on the edge or sides of the blade. Also happens when just cutting packaging tape. A little WD40, and it should wipe right off.
 
What was the cutting surface under the tape?
Did you cut only the tape or was the tape already applied to the duct?
If the tape was already applied to the duct then the knife was cutting through the tape and into the steel duct.

I used to work for an AC installer and have used lots of Al tape and steel duct.....
 
PURPLEDC said:
are you sure you didnt have a wire edge that broke off or rolled?
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Almost positive, I use a Sharpmaker and am pretty good with it.

Cicatriz said:
What was the cutting surface under the tape?
Did you cut only the tape or was the tape already applied to the duct?
If the tape was already applied to the duct then the knife was cutting through the tape and into the steel duct.

I used to work for an AC installer and have used lots of Al tape and steel duct.....
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I was cutting on a wooden bench. I was not doing duct work at all, it was for something else.

bluntcut said:
I just went to the garage, made 20 cuts (5 paper side, 15 Al side) across aluminum tape with BM 940 s30v 30* inclusive angle. Still shaving sharp & breeze through cardboard.
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I am leaning towards having sticky residue on my edge. I have never experienced a knife that dull.
 
I do all the time with my Custom Razel in CPM 154 CM with Bos Heat treat and never had an issue. But I do get the sticky build up, that I have been removing with a Stainless cleaner/Polish that is made with lemon oil that has been working wonders on my blades.
 
The only time I have done it I scored it with the tip of my knife then ripped it. I have done the same thing (though I snapped it, not ripped it) with aluminum flashing.
 
ya it will dull a knife quick, i use either my tenacious full serrated or a high carbon steel folder of unknown origin that is also completely serrated
 
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