CPM20CV Hogue Deka chipping blues.

[JAF1973]

If you cut steel with steel, the results will be evident on both ends of the cutting. Sure, you’ll cut through the wire.. but your edge will show something. This is why they make wire cutters.

To each task an intended tool, and for each tool a purpose.

I get what you are saying. And you are 100% correct. However, I have done this before on rare occasion with some other non super steels and never experienced this. I found it interesting more than being disappointed or angry at the steel.
And I also learned a good lesson. That lesson being why pliers, wire cutters, shovels, hammers, and most impact tools are not made with super steels. But carbon steel or 420, 12C27, etc. etc.
To be honest. I was thinking a CPM20CV with its higher Rockwell than a bread tie would have no issues with minor chipping. Well, I was wrong. And was viewing toughness in the wrong way. Lesson learned. And that is always a good thing.

 

[JAF1973]

Itd probably help you a decent amount if you put a little more obtuse micro bevel on it.

I may do that. I consider my sharpening skills Amateur at best. I never tried to do a micro bevel. I think I would let a professional sharpener do that and find an old budget blade to practice that technique on.

 

[Bob Denman]

I was gonna mention batoning your way through a railroad spike; but you said it better.

 

[JAF1973]

I have a Deka. It's thin stock to begin with (.095") and it's fairly wide with pretty much a flat grind. So it is a thin blade made of relatively brittle, but very abrasion resistant steel. Slices thin stock like a demon. But neither the blade alloy nor the blade profile is set up to make it a tough knife. I won't do anything with mine that puts a side load on it. It just isn't set up for that. I consider it to be more like a gent's knife than an EDC. I do love to slice up cardboard with it, though.

I use mine for breaking down cardboard boxes. And I must say the edge retention is amazing.

 

[JAF1973]

Tough?
Try M4...

I have heard that M4 is insanely tough. I may try some out one day. Willing to bet that M4 would make a great chopper. But probably carries a hefty price tag.

 

[Bob Denman]

M4 isn't stainless
But it wasn't an expensive upgrade. ($30)

 

[JAF1973]

M4 isn't stainless
But it wasn't an expensive upgrade. ($30)

Well damn. That is not as expensive as I assumed. I may order a bar and make a chopper. And find someone who can HT it. Thank you for posting and mentioning M4.

 

[ferider]

And was viewing toughness in the wrong way. Lesson learned. And that is always a good thing.

This is the key. I don’t mind sharpening but hate chips. Therefore I love tough steels, also in a folder… M4 is good but there is better. Try CPM Cruwear or 3V … both also more corrosion resistant than M4.

 

[toker]

I've heard this about Spyderco with other steels. Do they tend to heat treat; to the point of brittleness?

Without further testing, I think a lot of factory edges are burnt. Nothing a fresh sharpening or two won't fix.

 

[LimpCroissant]

I may do that. I consider my sharpening skills Amateur at best. I never tried to do a micro bevel. I think I would let a professional sharpener do that and find an old budget blade to practice that technique on.

Actually my friend a micro bevel is super easy. In fact a lot of people that don't really know how to sharpen will put a micro bevel on their edge instead of matching the bevel because it's so much easier. With keeping the same bevel you have to keep your hand super steady once youve found the right angle, when doing a micro bevel you don't have to worry about matching the bevel. So you can eye ball the bevel angle and then just raise the angle a tad bit from there. The nice thing about micro bevels is that they are so quick to put on. You can do it in just like 5 passes with a finer stone. I'd recommend the sharpmaker if you've never tried one. They're designed to put 40 degree micro bevels on your blades. They have a spot for 30 degree and 40. Anyway, something to think about for ya.