Blade not sharp?!

[lohango]

Hello: there's one question I meant to ask for
a long time. When i first purchased my Seal pup,
I've noticed that the serrated portion of the
blade is amazingly sharp, however ,
the plain portion of the blade although looks, and
feels(with finger) sharp, is really dull compare to
the scary sharpness of the serration part,
therefore I bought a second SOG to see if I happen to
get a bad one. my second SOG is a Tigershark,
and i love everything about it, except
the plain blade still doesn't cut well, the material
i cut with is magzine and A4 paper, with the serrated part,
it's a smooth push cut, but with the plain part it stucks
don't know why.

 

[Bobby B]

Ron can probably answer better, but I'll make a stab at it...

Bigger knives like the Tigershark, are often used for chopping, so the edge will be "blunter", with a greater included angle. Basically the edge is closer to (let's say) 30°, to prevent it chipping. A thinner knife for example a filet knife will be much "sharper" closer to (for example) 20°, wich will slice much better. Most knives fall somewhere in between, depending on what the intended use is. The SEAL Pup is basically a scaled down SEAL with similar edge geometry.

Hope that helps.

Rob

Of course I could be wrong ...

 

[Cliff Stamp]

lohango :

... with the plain part it stucks
don't know why.

Because it wasn't sharpened properly.

Two out of the three SOG knives I have owned were fairly dull NIB. To be more specific, they were at ~1/3 of the optimal ability on light tasks like cutting thread. This is just a result of an over buffed edge, and can usually be fixed with a very light honing, assuming there are no edge hollows, which was the case on the ones I have seen, but this is a common problem in production knives.

In regards to angle, yes this will mean that larger knives, built for heavier tasks will not cut as well as smaller ones. However there is no excuse for a blunt edge on a knife, regardless of the size. Even very obtuse edges can easily be sharpened so they will slice and even push cut paper readily, as well as do the normal things like shave hair and such.

-Cliff

 

[lohango]

Originally posted by Bobby B

Bigger knives like the Tigershark, are often used for chopping, so the edge will be "blunter", with a greater included angle. The SEAL Pup is basically a scaled down SEAL with similar edge geometry.

Bobby: Thanks for the comments.
However I don't think that is the reason. Take my Cold Steel
Recon Scout for example. It's a big knife with thick blade,
maybe thicker than Tighershark, but it has smooth cut.
If what you said about larger blade being not as sharp
compare to smaller blade, then how come my SEAL PUP has the
same dull edge?
My Fallkniven A1 has the similar convex edge, and it cuts
like a razor.

Cliff: I think you are right about the blade not being
properly sharpened.

Ron: I would like to know if SOG's QC includes cutting test
before it distribute knives out of the factory. For all I know,
the problem is easily detected if someone can pick up each knife
and try to push cut papers. I don't want to buy a brand new knife that needs to be sharpen right away before any use (I have very
poor sharpening skill). Plus I don't think it is fair for us comsumers to purchase a knife that doesn't cut well right out of box,
especially from a high quality company like SOG.
I know the sharpness can be better.

 

[Ron Andersen]

Hi Lohango,

Sorry for the problems. The Tigershark does come with a bit more of a blunt edge, but if you are unhappy, we would be more than to review your knife. If you would like to do that, here's warranty return instructions.

And if I were you, I wouldn't take Cliff's comments too seriously. We at SOG don't.

 

[Ron Andersen]

Hi Lohango,

I didn't notice you're from Seattle. We're in Lynnwood. If you drop by our factilities, I can personally look over your knives. Also, if they need sharpening, we can put whatever type of edge you'd like. Here's our address.

Regarding our QC, yes, the edge is inspected. Not all edges, though, are designed to "push" through paper. They should "slice" paper (cutting at an angle, slicing through the cut).

 

[lohango]

Originally posted by Ron@SOG

I didn't notice you're from Seattle. We're in Lynnwood. If you drop by our factilities, I can personally look over your knives. Also, if they need sharpening, we can put whatever type of edge you'd like.

Regarding our QC, yes, the edge is inspected. Not all edges, though, are designed to "push" through paper. They should "slice" paper (cutting at an angle, slicing through the cut).

Wow! Thanks about that. I hope you don't think I'm trying to put down the reputation of SOG. No way would I ever do that, in fact I'm about to get the S1 bowie for my birthday that's coming up at the end of the month. I've noticed that the edge of the blade is not aligned, is it the way it suppose to be made? (i really don't know, since i only have one TS)

 

[Ron Andersen]

Hi Lohango,

Don't worry, I didn't think you were putting us down. There's a lot of misconception about edges. I'm just trying to clear the air a bit.

If you're thinking about stopping by SOG, I suggest that you call in advance. More importantly than checking to see if I'll be in, is checking to see if Vinny will be in. He'd be the one working on your knife.



[Edited 11/24/02 to add the following text for purposes of clarity and continuity due to certain posts linked to here from throughout Bladeforums.]

To Everyone: Please do not take my statement in my original post in this thread which said, “the Tigershark does come with a bit more of a blunt edge,” as a confession to the knife world that SOG’s knives intentionally come ”dull.” That would be a gross misinterpretation; as one member has repeatedly done throughout the forums. It should be obvious that by “a blunt edge” (in context), I meant the edge was more obtuse than pointed (differing edge angles for differing knife tasks). Please don’t take this to extremes. The Tigershark is targeted to have a bit more of an obtuse angle than thinner, smaller knives make by SOG. They are sharpened in the same manner, to the same exacting standards. It doesn’t take much bloodshed to know that SOG’s knives come with respectfully sharp edges. There are just differing angles at which knives are sharpened.

There was no intention whatsoever for me to categorize our knives as “dull.” That, of course, is one of the most absurd accusations that could be levied against me; a customer service professional representing a “knife manufacturer.” I’d never call our knives “dull” or even imply them “dull.” My statements above were brief (it should be clear that I was not giving any lessons on the intricacies of edge dynamics) and supplementary to others’ comments. My statement above has been taken completely out of context through a process of “selective interpretation” and a deliberate “smear campaign” to discredit our company.

Let it be clear that the overriding direction of my comments to Mr. lohango was one saying: “...but if you are unhappy [with your knife in the condition you received it], we would be more than to review your knife.” Isn’t that what good customer service is all about? Isn’t that the message I always give?

Thanks for understanding. If you have any misconceptions about this series of events, or about the quality standards SOG sets for its products, please feel free to contact me directly at 888.SOG.BEST or 425.771.6230, ext. 228, or by email at ron@sogknives.com. Or you may just ask others here in the SOG Forum. You will find many satisfied customers.