can you weaken the tip of a blade?

[Legenda]

if i use my knife for prying, can it weaken the tip to where it would be easier to break it. or will it just one day be too much for the tip and break it? thanks guys.

 

[THG]

Probably not, but the more you pry with it, the more chances you have to break the tip.

Just don't do it.

 

[richard j]

i would not pry with your blade on anything. prying can bend the tip and when you go to straighten it back out, it will more than likely break. i have fixed a lot of broken tips and most were broke when the person tried to straighten it back out.

 

[foxx]

I agree with these guys, yet in some cases you can pry. It's just a matter of keeping the tip and the edge away from the force. If you can use the thickest part of the blade, and only that part, then you'll be okay if it's a thick knife.
But, sticking the tip into wood or metal and prying will end up breaking your tip and maybe damaging the edge.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

If you pry enough to bend it, and it stays bent, it'll definitely weaken the steel. Trying to bend it back into shape risks breaking the tip. Think about any other piece of metal that you can bend back & forth, until it hardens to a point where it becomes brittle. Trying to bend it any more will likely break it.

 

[TriviaMonster]

I would highly recommend a small keychain prybar. Several can be found online for just a couple dollars. I won't list a site, as I'm not sure a sponser doesn't sell one, but they are out there. I'm guessing you are a Kershaw owner as most Kershaw owners I know have broken tips from prying(not a shot at you guys). Something about Kershaw owners and using their knives hard...

 

[GRIM 62]

An Alox SAK or multi tool with a screwdriver would be better for light prying than your blade.

 

[unit]

Blades are highly variable.

They come in many different alloys, hardnesses, thicknesses, and shapes.

Predicting how a tip will fail during prying is difficult without a lot more information. The entire issue can be simplified considerably (and often is) by just recommending against prying with a blade.

 

[singularity35]

if i use my knife for prying, can it weaken the tip to where it would be easier to break it. or will it just one day be too much for the tip and break it? thanks guys.

I would highly recommend a small keychain prybar. Several can be found online for just a couple dollars. I won't list a site, as I'm not sure a sponser doesn't sell one, but they are out there. I'm guessing you are a Kershaw owner as most Kershaw owners I know have broken tips from prying(not a shot at you guys). Something about Kershaw owners and using their knives hard...

Yup, this.