Chipped Out Kershaw Camp 14 And 18

[Scottman]

I love these blades but they started to blow chips out chopping pine in the cold. I'll be sending em back to kershaw.

 

[wildmanh]

Ouch, Big bummer there! Keep us posted.

 

[Portman30-06]

Wow. Never seen that before. I've had my camp 18 for about 8 months and my only problem was a loose handle screw. I'll be watching for that now.

 

[Scottman]

I had my camps since the fall and they did a lot of work.

 

[gregorio]

Those are some serious chip outs there. How cold was it?

 

[Scottman]

15 degrees

 

[Revolverrodger]

made in china ?

 

[Scottman]

yes they are marked china on the handles

 

[Zymologist]

Ouch sorry to see that. What steel are they made out of? Keep us posted on their response.

 

[Scottman]

Steel: 65Mn, powdercoat

 

[Revolverrodger]

Never saw such a large chip on the blade.
Could be the quality of the chinese steel or the heat treat

 

[Camber]

For it to have chipped like that, I would think there would have to be a problem with the steel, whether it be 1. the heat treat, or 2. the steel quality. 65Mn is a 1060 class steel, so should be exceedingly tough. But it will have more impurities on a regular basis than fine tool steels like A2, O1, etc.

 

[Ebbtide]

Tell us about how you were chopping.
Cut pieces of pine on a block or on the ground (immobile)?
Or branches still attached to the tree that could move with the impacts?

We see many blow outs like that when chopping at unsupported branches.
At the initial blow the blade sinks into the wood.
As the chopping stroke continues the branch moves and all the force of the blow isn't going straight anymore.
The branch then twists the knife, and a chunk out of the blade.

Just some thoughts and things to watch out for

 

[Scottman]

Pieces of pine set up on the chopping block. Downward 45 angle chops.

 

[Ebbtide]

Well then. That shouldn't happen.

 

[23698012]

Did you ever get in touch with Kershaw?

 

[bored2deth]

I had the same problem with the 14, a very chip flew out and
Come a hair of getting my face! Weather was warm. The wood was springy and tough. The chip was an three inches tall by five long.

 

[Scottman]

I sent them the blades, I haven't heard back from them. I've been running busy and forgot about them till a week or two ago and sent em in like they told me.

Bored, that sucks. I dislike sharp pieces of metal breaking off and flying close to people.

 

[Mike-The-Knife]

Yeah , that's NOT a good thing . I hope they do you right on this .


...............................................
HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !

 

[bravodelta]

I have been waiting for more feedback on these models before pulling the trigger.
Been trying hard to avoid Chinese made products lately.