blade bends

H

hollowdweller

Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
13,182
Hi.

I was doing some trail clearing with my 17" Ganga Ram. Chopping through some six to eight inch trees. Some dried some green. The thing chops wonderfully, but when I was done the blade had a number of bends in the edge. I had previously put a slight ding in the blade on my previous outing in the area that is supposedly the hardest.

Anyway it still seemed to be plenty sharp, but I thought I would get the chakma out and see if I could push the bends back in line.I got most pushed back relatively, but when I pushed on the bend in the hard part a small chunk of the edge came out.

So can the resident experts tell me if I am just using this knife on stuff that is too hard for its design or whether there is some sort of a problem with the tempering? I am not a real pounder when I chop. I usually just let the weight of the blade do the chopping. The knife cuts great but I can't imagine that straightening out the edge after each use is something that is normal. I have never had to do it on my AK or BAS.

Should I send this one back and try to get one with more temper?
 
Well, I don't consider myself a resident experpt, but I'll give this one a shot. I've had similar experiences. Depending on your definition of "small chunk", you should be able to use a file or sandpaper to grind the blade down to remove the chipped/damaged area. If it's a really small chip, you probably won't even be able to tell where it was. If the chunk is really large, say 1/2 inch or so, you might want to send it back, as you will have to remove quite a bit of metal to remove the chip. Also, test the blade after you grind it down. If the problem persists, it's probably something wrong with the temper of the blade. Talk to Uncle Bill when he gets back, and I'm sure he'll replace you knife if you are not happy with it.
--Josh
 
One thing you might want to do is get some ferric chloride (PCB Etchant, from Radio Shack) or hot vinager and see how the blade is tempered. It might help decide if it is worth doing what Josh suggested. I do not know how that would effect you returning the blade to Uncle Bill. I have done alot of my blades and have been suprised where and how much some of them were hardened. Just a thought.
 
Originally posted by hollowdweller
Thanks. No,the chip is real small. The knife still works great.
Click to expand...

Heck, just sand it out and resharpen the blade. You'll be surprised at how little time it takes. Let me know if you'd like more detailed suggestions/directions.
--Josh
 
Same thing happened to my YCS.

I put a convex edge on it and despite all the beatings, has yet to "bend" again.

I think it has to do with the grind. Sometimes the edge bevel is hollow ground a little too much and instead of chipping (which my GRS did) it just bends.

If you're a beginner with few tools, grab a triangle file and work the edge down until the dent disappears. You'll probably end up convexing it a bit in the process anyway. ;)

Dan
 
I agree with Pen. My pass-around WWII did the same thing the first time I used it, I raised the bevel to a more obtuse angle and from all reports it's held up remarkably well.
 
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