Can't keep my BK11 sharp

S

ScottsoSmith

Joined
Jan 8, 2011
Messages
35
Hello All,

This is my first post - your help would be much appreciated.

I have a great little BK-11, but I am having a hard time keeping it sharp. I'll sharpen to about 17 degrees on an Edgepro, upto the 6000 grit polish tape, and it will easily shave hairs. The next day, even without much use, it will no longer shave. It is still reasonbly sharp, but seems to loose its edge for no reason. I have 2 other KaBars made of 1095CV, and many other knives of various steels (carbon and stainless) and none seem to have this problem. Corrosion does not appear to be the issuse (I inspect polised edge under 8X and see no evidence).

Is it possible that my knife is one of an occasional knife out of the factory that is not properly hardened? (it doesn't seem notably soft when I sharpen it.)

Is it possible that the standard hard plastic sheath damages the edge?

Any other thoughts?

Regards,
Scott Smith
 
Thanks slapper.

Welcome Scott, glad you're here. I do believe the sheath to be the culprit. Mine is the same way, and I have had my ESKabar since they came out, and carry it damn near daily.

To say that the edge you are putting on it with the edgepro, is still sharp, the sheath takes that hair raizing edge away after a couple of time sheathing it. Don't worry though, it won't do it for long. You can take a mill file and take some of the IMP (injection moled plastic) away from the edge, or let it happen naturally.

Once again, welcome to the Becker forum , and Bladeforums, glad you decided to join us.

Moose
 
Moose, do you know If the new sheath addresses this problem. I got an eskabar today and it came w/ a new sheath that I think is kydex. I haven't seen the old sheath so I do not have a comparison.
 
slapper said:
Moose, do you know If the new sheath addresses this problem. I got an eskabar today and it came w/ a new sheath that I think is kydex. I haven't seen the old sheath so I do not have a comparison.
Click to expand...

Not sure, I don't have a new one either. The thing it, as long as you use synthetics for sheaths, there is the ability to dull. Most custom makers, will for an empty space for the edge to be drawn from and hold the spine and flat of the knife for retention. The smoother the fit, the less the chance for edge contact.

The BK11/14 sheath that was in play before, was not made for the BK11/14, it was made for somthing that, um, er, could come along, maybe not. So the looser sheath, allows rattle, and edge contact. If the new one is a tight fit, I would say the edge drag is lessened or removed all together. I'll have to buy some more Neckers and ESKabars and find out. Couple of weeks maybe.

Moose
 
Yeah my BK11 has this problem too. I really want a BK-14, but I'll wait for the new sheathes to come out.
 
slapper said:
They are out man, I got one from tomars. I got a bk9 also, but it seriously reeks of incense.
Click to expand...

and tobacco. so it goes.

worse? i used to buy cheap knives from an outfit that put xtian literature into the boxes. i told them to F*** off and die. no more purchases from them.

i had some companies sell my personal information and attempt to copt my idendity, even offering $$$$$. told them to bite off. cost me potential $$$$$ but you know? i'm still me.
 
How is literature, that you can toss if you don't want, worse than your sheath smelling like incense and cigarettes? I'm not trying to start a debate, but I would rather have someone place a gym membership flyer under my windshield wiper, than have a bird crap on my hood.

I copied and pasted this directly from their website:
All KA-BAR products are guaranteed to be in mint, factory fresh condition, original, without defect, and are backed by KA-BAR with a Lifetime Guarantee.

I think mine is not factory fresh!

Anyway could you pm me any good places to buy from Bladite? Thanks
 
because i'm paying for postage on this added stuff? and then i have to burn it, incase someone gets theirs hands on dangerous materials? what a pain :>

can't help you on where to buy, most of my KaBar stuff has come from Tomars ;P
 
It should stay shaving sharp, but maybe not "hair whittling". All synthetic sheaths have the potential to dull or scratch the surface of your knife. If you look around, most knives that come with a synthetic sheath also have a scratch-resistant coating. You could hone it up and just be very careful taking it in and out a few times to see if it maintains its edge - it shouldn't dull from sitting in there, only from being taken in/out. Every kydex holster I've owned put scratches on the handgun, and the knives I have with kydex sheaths that I've stripped of their coatings, all develop scratches on the blade. You could always use a sharpie and mark the edge to see if its hitting. I couldn't help but notice the edge my BK11 came with was fairly coarse. Not a problem as I prefer this type of edge on my smaller knives and it seems to tolerate a little banging about the sheath better.
HH
 
Whatever you do, don't mistake your 11 for your lighter when doing cord work. I wasn't paying attention and grabbed it blade side with my left hand and now I am sporting matching band-aids on 3 fingers. So hair whittling sharp? Maybe not... But skin slicing sharp? Absolutely.
 
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