Benchmade 440C chipping?

FlaMtnBkr

FlaMtnBkr

Joined
Oct 20, 2004
Messages
4,704
Hi,

I have a griptilian with 440C and have experienced some chipping on the 1/2" closest to the point. I dont abuse the knife and mainly cut mail, rope, cardboard but have cut a couple holes in some beer cans. I wouldnt think the thin aluminum would be enough to cause chipping but maybe it is. The chips are fairly big and I would say are .002-.003" deep and fairly noticeable. I have not reprofiled the blade, just keep it hair popping sharp from the occasional swipes on a ceramic rod and stropping. Could this be a bad heat treat or is the aluminum more damaging than I thought it would be? Thanks!

Ryan
 
its not the aluminum. i've cut many a can open with all types of knife and never had one chip
 
Are you sure the blade is not hitting the knife itself, on the inside of the channel when you close it?
 
I experienced the same thing with the same knife. I wasn't cutting anything difficult either. Just cardboard and light plastic. Aluminum shouldn't cause a problem either.

Removing all of the bad metal fixed the problem, but you may wish to send the knife to Benchmade.
 
The can should not be a problem, it could be poor steel in the edge, give it a full resharpening to remove the metal and then see if it happens again.

-Cliff
 
I agree with the other statements, I have had the 550 for a while now and got a chip about 1/16" down from the tip. I sharpened it till it was gone and have not had a problem since.
And as mentioned if that does not work, send it back to Benchmade.
 
Ryan8 said:
I experienced the same thing with the same knife. I wasn't cutting anything difficult either. Just cardboard and light plastic. Aluminum shouldn't cause a problem either.

Removing all of the bad metal fixed the problem, but you may wish to send the knife to Benchmade.
Click to expand...

I had the exact same experience with my 556 Mini-Grip. A thorough resharpening solved it.
 
Do you all know "Pringels"? These are potato chips in a round box, where the butt end is made of some thin tin. I did cutt it all out with no chip in the 550.

So as the forumites above: A full resharpening, maybe twice and see. If it remains, the knife should be send in to Benchmade, where it will RIP.
 
Thanks guys for the replies. I havent had time to give it a good resharpening but I will give it a try and hopefully that will solve the problem...if not back to benchmade. What would cause this? An oxygen rich atmosphere during heat treat that would lead to decarburization? I would think benchmade would have their heat treat down but I guess every company has a few goof ups here and there. Thanks!

Ryan
 
Send it to Benchmade and have the service department look at it. Have them oil the knife and chage out the washer for bronze washers while you are at it.

I have heard of very few incidents you describe and only on 440C and 154CM. It can be use and abuse or bad luck no one is perfect and no one can garrantee flaw less knives that said send it to BKC and see what they say.
 
Yes, this was my first bad experience with BM a chipping D2 blade.

I don´t know what causes this, but if you imagine lots of blades heat treated at a time this may happen.

BTW, Benchmade doesn´t heat treat themselves, they give it out to ppl. they trust and "make them aheal their advices" (hope thats correctly quoted what Steve Ingram told me.

The only sad thing about this is: Whateve knife you buy, be it Benchmade or other, you never know until you cut with it.

So good tests to proof are good to know.
 
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