Becker bk16 edge rolling?

I

icarus100sun

Joined
Nov 9, 2015
Messages
41
Hi Guys,
I was wondering if anyone has had this problem? I have a Bk16 which i've slightly convexed the factory edge, it's only been used to do some
feather sticks, to my surprise the edge keeps rolling :( I was under the impression the 1095 on these blades is tough stuff. Could the heat treatment
have gone wrong? or maybe the factory edge is to fine?

Cheers,
Jon.
 
The factory edge is not too fine. In fact, some people thin it out. I've given my BK16 thorough use over the past 2 years and never had an edge roll at all. The edge seems really tough to me, and retention is great.

This doesnt sound like a normal problem. Did you use power tools to convex it? Could you have altered the temper of the edge?
 
I guess it could happen if you hit a really hard knot or something, but I haven't seen any issues like that with my 15 or any of the other Beckers. Could also be a heat treat issue, although those are rare from what I've gathered. And as CoolBreeze said, using power tools on the edge may have softened it up, so if you used a power tool to convex it, that could be it.
 
I used the mousepad sandpaper technique to take away the change of angle, the factory edge is still visible, it was all done very gently.
I did some feathering on some treated pine and afterwards noticed a roll then took it out on the Spyderco sharpmaker at 20 degrees,
the edge was perfect after that and then today I tested it again with some light feathering and noticed more rolling on the belly.......very surprised....thinking it must be a heat treat problem.
 
Yeah...that's not normal.
I've convexed quite a few knives on my 1x30 and finished them off with said mousepad technique.
I've never had any issues with Ka-Bar's edges rolling.
It might be worth contacting Ka-Bar to see what they have to say about it.
 
Maybe the factory edge was burn't? I've never had that problem but I assume they are sharpened with some kind of power tool. Try putting a new edge on it. Or let Ka-Bar take care of it for you.
 
Yea, it likely is a burnt edge. I would shoot an email to Kabar stating your issue and include a link to this thread.

I would also try sharpening back from the factory edge with a coarse stone to get to some harder steel, you should be able to feel the difference on the stone if you are proficient at hand sharpening, possibly on the sharpmaker too (but I am not sure about that).

After you take off a bit of material, touch up your edge as normal and try it again. If it still rolls easily, then the heat treat may be cause for concern.
-Though this is Not common for Kabar, it does happen on rare occasions.
 
sounds like you have a wire edge -- strop it on some cardboard and see if that helps.
 
I like 1066vics answer, def something to be aware of.

A lot of old timers will tell ya their best edge comes "after sharpening it a few times". Try reprofiling or just get past that factory edge and your best steel may be just below the surface.
 
strop on a conifer :> dont' baton through that stuff though.

no knots!
 
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