Byrd edge chipping problem

[Harry Callahan]

A newly hired co-worker wanted me to pick him up a decent "cheap" knife during my next visit to New Graham. Well, I picked him up a comboedge CaraCara or Meadowlark (can't remember which, it is the smaller one) It has 440c blade steel. He was really impressed and started carrying it right away. He treated it with kid gloves for a week because he didn't want to scratch it. When he actually started cutting with it the edge literally crumbled. I've never seen chipping as bad as this. Didn't have a digital camera at work but there was HUGE chunks gone from the plainedged portion of the blade (the serrated part was intact and unaffected).

He was trying to cut a rubber hose when he noticed the chipping. Flakes of the blade steel were laying in the vicinity of where he was working. It was amazing. I broke out my trusty Sharpmaker and instantly realized I'd be a little old man by the time I wittled all that down. Out comes the DMT diamond hone for a total re-profile. After reprofiling the edge I used the Sharpmaker and got the little sucker back in shape.

Now it won't chip at all. I cut cardboard and other stuff that I could find laying around. Seemed to hold up pretty good. Time will tell.

Wonder what the problem was. Heat treat maybe? Any ideas? Not very familiar with 440c.

 

[STR]

Harry.

That one sounds like it has a faulty heat treat providing it was just a rubber hose he was cutting and not a hose lined with metal wire.

I would suggest that it needs to be returned immediately for inspection by Spyderco IMO. They will surely want to know about it ASAP. You or your friend should call Amanda like yesterday if you haven't yet.

 

[ghostrider]

First:
It isn’t 440C, its 8Cr13MoV. The Chinese just called it 440C. This steel is similar in properties to AUS-8, and the byrds have been tested HRC 61.

Second:

What STR said. I’ve used both the Meadowlark, and the Cara Cara. Last weekend, I used the Cara Cara to cut some plastic that resembles that of a blister pack. No chipping.

I’ll also second what STR said about contacting Spyderco. They’re watching the byrd line, and will want to know about any problems or feedback. Even though it seems you have fixed the problem, you can help them with the quality of the byrd line in the future.

 

[yoda4561]

If it only happened with the factory edge it was most likely overheated during sharpening, I wouldn't worry too much about it if it's working fine now.

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

I've been using a Meadowlark hard for over a month now. I have not noticed any problems. I even used it to pry out staples from the end of 2x6 lumber. It gets very sharp, holds the edge and sharpens easily. It is definitely a best value knife.

 

[HoB]

Actually had the same problem. Not huge chunks, but pronounced chipping of the edge. After a thorough resharpening with some waterstones the problem was gone and hasn't appeared again so far....and its been a few months.