Cutting Aluminum cans with ZDP-189?

fninjap91 · Jul 16, 2006

First post here! I just got a WH with ZDP-189 and love it! It's scalpel sharp and is a great looking knife.

I know that regular blades dull really fast when cutting aluminum cans, but what about ZDP-189? Does its hardness make it impervious to damage from the soft aluminum?

orthogonal1 · Jul 17, 2006

No, wouldn't think so.

It'll just dull slower.

SIFU1A · Jul 17, 2006

my bud used to use a BM AFCK M2 to open up cans to use as a spittoon, it would sure dull the M2, also the coating looked worse on that knife than any i have ever seen and i've seen a few lol.

so i would say yes, it will dull it, maybe slowly, but it will dull it.

huugh · Jul 17, 2006

Diamond machining tools were made as the only cost effective method how to machine alluminium in car making industry.
So you can guess if it will stay sharp or not

Eric_425 · Jul 17, 2006

As in soda cans? Those are extremely thin and soft. You can just tear the aluminum with your bare hands. I do have a zdp knife, but I haven't used it for that. But I've used 50hrc basic carbon steel blades to cut 8 or more without problems. It dulls a bit, but not that noticeable.

yuzuha · Jul 17, 2006

The only reason aluminum doesn't dissintigrate is that it almost immediately forms a coating of aluminum oxide "rust" that bonds tightly to the surface preventing more oxidation. Aluminum oxide is an abrasive with a Moh's hardness of 9, which is harder than any steel so slitting up cans will be hard on any knife.

zenheretic · Jul 17, 2006

Everyone knows only a Ginsu knife can cut open cans.

Padawan · Jul 17, 2006

I'm just curious why you are cutting up aluminum cans with your knife. Is it strictly a "because I can" thing?

Cliff Stamp · Jul 17, 2006

There are numerous things you can make out of cans, stoves and such, plus you can use the bits for lures, melt and cast, etc. .

-Cliff

fninjap91 · Jul 17, 2006

Padawan said:
I'm just curious why you are cutting up aluminum cans with your knife. Is it strictly a "because I can" thing?

I was just wondering if ZDP was so superior to regular steels that it won't hurt it to cut cans. Now I know that's not the case.

Hair · Jul 18, 2006

ZDP is great, but all steel with dull when cutting. ZDP will stay sharp longer, but no steel will stay sharp forever.

It doesn't "hurt" it. Cutting cans will "hurt" very few knives.