Chunks missing out of edge??

Sulaco

Sulaco

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Nov 15, 2003
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I have a Benchmade Mini Griptillian I use to open cardboard boxes (it mostly cuts through clear packing tape while ocasionally catching a piece of cardboard) at work everyday. I got it and in less than a month noticed little "chunks" of steel missing from the edge. It looks like somebody used the edge as a hammer or something but nothing like that has happened. I used my Lansky to sharpen it and got rid of all but the worst spot. A few weeks later, it looks the same and is constantly getting worse!

I know I can send it in, but this was a replacement for another Benchmade I had that wouldn't lock open anymore. I am sort of getting a bad taste for Benchmade now.

Can anyone make any suggestions? Maybe I need a different type of steel or something. This one is 440C.

Thanks.
 
If you're just cutting normally with it there should be no reason for it to chip. I've never heard of any chipping problems with a griptilian before. Mabye you should email Benchmade and see what they have to say. I'd guess it was heat-treated too hard. I've dropped my balisongs (same steel by same company) edge first on the metal arm of my chair and they have never chipped, only deformed.
 
Could you occasionally hit one of those big copper-coated carton staples?

Maybe your edge was overstressed by sharpening (either by you or the factory). One way you might do this is by using high honing pressure along the edges of a V-rod sharpener. Do a thorough resharpening job using only moderate sharpening pressure to get down to sound base metal.
 
Resharpen it, and use it alongside another similar knife for the same tasks. If the Benchmade chips out and the other doesn't, you can reasonably conclude that it is a problem with the Benchmade.

Other possibilities are someone else is using your knife, or you are using it for something which is a lot harder than you may think, such as hitting staples as Jeff noted.

If the knife does prove to be defective, return it. It doesn't matter if it was a replacement already, you payed your money to get something that works.

This problem has nothing to do with the steel, any cutlery steel, even the cheapest ones, will cut cardboard without chipping out to such an extent you can actually see it by eye.

-Cliff
 
I got a mini-grip with 440C steel a couple of weeks ago and I haven't used it yet. That's because there is a small divot in the grind line on the logo side of the blade.

I'm sending the knife back to BM today, as a matter of fact, so I'll keep you posted as to what they have to say about it and intend to fix it.
 
Sulaco,

It's quite possible that blade missed the tempering cycle or wasn't tempered at the right temperature. It's probably over hard and brittle.

You can increase the sharpening angle to put more meat behind the edge. (But that decreases the blade life and thickens the edge). Besides if the blade chips under standard use with the factory edge, then it's their bad.

Steve
 
Well, I finally got the knife to Benchmade and got it back. I have been using the replacement blade for a month or so now and no problems so far. I noticed this blade opens much easier than the other one, though. I guess I need to tighten it up some. As for the problems I was having with the other blade, I don't know what to say other than to clarify that all I ever used it for was tape and cardboard. No staples in my boxes and no one else has access to the knife. Like I said, I have been using the new blade for the same thing and no problems thus far. I guess QC problems affect all manufacturers these days. Sad but true. Thanks for the help and information guys.
 
It's possible that your blade got a little just a little crispy in the heat-treatment process and the blade got brittle. BM will replace it under the LifeSharp waranty
 
Sulaco, I just got the 555 mini Grip 2 weeks ago. The edge looks maybe a little thin. But its a good cuttter. My FIL did put a couple of dings in the edge by using it to pry open a picture frame. Nothing that sharpening wont fix. You may have an odball, but dont be too hard on BM as long as they are taking care of you.
 
I had that problem with a SOG X42 autoclip in BG-42. Edge just kept chipping. Think the edge just got a bit too hard or their edge grinding just overheated the edge a bit (had a slight blue cast to it under a magnifier). Took my 325 grit DMT to it and reprofiled it, taking maybe 1/16" off the edge, and worked it back into shape on my waterstones. Figured BG-42 is pretty good steel, and I don't use it to cut wire or other nasty stuff, so put a rather shallow 12.5 degree angle on it and haven't had any more problems with it once I got past the crumbly bit.
 
I used to work in a warehouse and cut a lot of cardboard so I'm not trying to mean here...Did you check the boxes for stapels?
 
warthog90805 said:
I used to work in a warehouse and cut a lot of cardboard so I'm not trying to mean here...Did you check the boxes for stapels?
Click to expand...


I know the boxes don't have staples in them. They are mostly small electronics parts and staples aren't used, just tape.

It has been a few months since I got the blade replaced and it's been running like a top. I guess the original blade was flawed somehow.

Don't think I am badmouthing BM, I LOVE the Axis lock and the overall design and quality of the knife is great. But, there is no denying that two out of two of the BM's I have owned have had issues. But the Axis lock is so nice, I would buy another one if I needed it.

I just ordered a Spyderco Sharpmaker and by the time it gets here, this Mini Grip will need to be touched up. I will inspect the blade then and report back but I doubt there is anything beyond normal wear and tear.
 
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