Cutting cardboard with Paramilitary 2

Screwdriver said:
I had these orange ones where you just snapped off the tip.....Bingo! New blade!
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I have the same one. Bingo...... It's out of blades. Oh look, a knife !!!! The Post is back on track now. I'm working on my PM2 to make it cut cardboard better. I'm taking the advice of the fellow knife people that came through with some great input on getting it to zip through cardboard. I also prefer using my knives and not purchasing razor blades.
 
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Yep, narrower bevel angles and less restrictive technique. Works every time, like Billie Dee & Colt 45.
 
Using knife, you only wear away the bevel. Using box cutter, a chunk of metal is thrown out (probably wasted as rust before being recycled.)

The same reason I shave with my knives :p and not disposable razors.
 
How long does it take to use up the life of a knife, mines over 35 years old ? On the beard, try an electric razor, rechargeable Norelco :thumbup:
 
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Vader1 said:
I have the same one. Bingo...... It's out of blades. Oh look, a knife !!!! The Post is back on track now. I'm working on my PM2 to make it cut cardboard better. I'm taking the advice of the fellow knife people that came through with some great input on getting it to zip through cardboard. I also prefer using my knives and not purchasing razor blades.
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I have this white box with 20 boxcutters, with multiple snap points on each......If I run out, I just did an epic fail. But hey, it is cool. I understand the fascination of making a $120 knife perform like a $.50 dedicated tool.
 
Screwdriver said:
I have this white box with 20 boxcutters, with multiple snap points on each......If I run out, I just did an epic fail. But hey, it is cool. I understand the fascination of making a $120 knife perform like a $.50 dedicated tool.
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Oh don't be such a stick in the mud. If the PM2 isn't good enough to cut boxes, then what the heck good is it? My knives do everything, and with style. The PM2 in particular is a fine box cutter, as is any FFG blade or even the occasional hollow grind. Just angle the cut like the disposables do by default. I highly doubt the coating is a factor of any significance, and the thickness of the spine is really only a factor if you're pushing the heel of the blade through the cardboard. Hence the angle, taking advantage of the distal taper and using only the thinnest portions of the blade. I'd pick my PM2 over a disposable box cutter any day, just as I'd choose it over a cheap paring knife, pair of safety scissors, or any other boring old one trick pony. It's a fantastic knife with a very useful blade shape that just wants to be used. Use it!
 
Seriously box cutters loose there edge faster then a pm2 in s30v. I know from experience! Haha. The pm2 has to have a good edge of course
 
I take a lot of my knives down to 10 degrees per side (20 inclusive) bevels with a 12.5 - 15 degrees per side (25 - 30 inclusive) microbevel. They cut cardboard better than box cutters because of how thin they are behind the edge:

 
Cynic2701 said:
I take a lot of my knives down to 10 degrees per side (20 inclusive) bevels with a 12.5 - 15 degrees per side (25 - 30 inclusive) microbevel. They cut cardboard better than box cutters because of how thin they are behind the edge:

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I bet that is stupidly sharp and an incredible cutter! How tough is the edge at that point? Is it still usable for things like lighter outdoors work?
 
pnsxyr said:
I bet that is stupidly sharp and an incredible cutter! How tough is the edge at that point? Is it still usable for things like lighter outdoors work?
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I've whittled soft wood (I'm pretty terrible at whittling) and I didn't find any chipping or rolling afterwards. I've deboned chickens with it and it holds up fine.

Sure, it's not as tough as a 20 degree per side (40 inclusive) edge, but since it is so acute a lot less force is required to make cuts. I'd be nervous of going any lower.

I took a ZDP-189 Caly 3 to 8 degrees per side (16 inclusive) and I could roll the edge by pushing sideways on it with my fingernail. When cutting, though, I didn't have any issues--though, admittedly, I wasn't batonning with it or anything like that.
 
I think some of you missed the point.

For me a few cuts on cardboard , break down a box, yes. Thats why I have a knife.

But if Im breaking down boxes to the point my blade needs resharpening.
A box cutter.
Breaking down boxes at work. Box cutter.
 
I ended up putting a 15 degree angle on my pm2. I still feel the LDC coating causes it to hang up. I think I now decided that I will no longer get the LDC coating. I still love the PM2 but the black coatings are no longer for me. What still cracks me up is how this old LB7 flys through it like butter. I have a Manix 2 ffg plain satin finish on order. It may be a good to compare that to my PM2 with the LDC.
 
I haven't had any issues with my PM2 breaking down boxes. It is a thicker blade, so there is bound to be a bit more resistance. Mine is not DLC though. I do have a ZT 0550, which has the same blade thickness and DLC (and not FFG), and that goes through cardboard just fine too. The DLC might add a little friction, but it shouldn't be enough to make that noticeable of a difference.

A bit off topic, but I've actually found the Scandi grinds on the Mora knives to be excellent at slicing through boxes, both parallel and perpendicular to the grain.
 
I just realized something. The LDC coating on my pm2 is rougher than the coating on my all black Manix. My pm2 feels like sand paper. The manix feels like a regular smooth blade.
 
I generally use a box cutter while breaking down boxes at work. However, some of the boxes used to ship some of the freight (chairs, power wheelchairs, scooters) is thick enough that box cutters have a hard time. It's quicker and easier to use a knife in those cases. While my full size Grip has an easier time with it, my Para 2 does just fine.
 
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