cutting copper

notsobrite

notsobrite

Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
129
when i install an a/c i use my skyline to trim inside the copper tubing to remove any burrs that might break off and clog in the system. i have to sharpen my knife a couple of times a week, so i'm looking for a new edc with a better steel. i really like the skyline- size, light weight, slim, flipper, g10- just want a clone with better steel. i posted this on the kershaw forum and got a lot of suggestions but thought i'd ask over here for a wider cross-section of opinions.
 
Edge angles are everything . I used to use an ATS-34 BM 710 to debur steel EMT when I was an electrician, worked better than any of the other tools commonly used in the field. Gotta go thick with the angles, a stout edge should hold up to copper without much trouble. ATS 34 isn't the preferred steel for this but the knife still held up fine. Also, since you're seeing lots of side loading on the thinnest part of the edge you'll want a more polished finish, a coarse edge is just gotta get chewed up faster here.
 
You'll have to keep in mind that while copper is for softer than steel it will still dull a thin edge like yoda suggested. If you look at wire cutter for instance they are quite obtuse and not really that sharp at all. I would think for what you are doing a low cost knife with a thick edge would work , it wouldn't have to even be that sharp.

Tostig
 
Yikes. I hate to be that guy who says things like this... but... maybe a knife isn't the best tool for the job. IIRC they make combination o.d. & i.d. chamfer tools for tubing. Is there some reason you don't want to use a purpose-made tool?
 
RandomAyes said:
Yikes. I hate to be that guy who says things like this... but... maybe a knife isn't the best tool for the job. IIRC they make combination o.d. & i.d. chamfer tools for tubing. Is there some reason you don't want to use a purpose-made tool?
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i have a couple of the chamfer tools, but i tend to be very un-organized and i have no idea where they are, but i always have my knife. i carry a lot of things with me and don't want to add more weight and another tool to my edc stuff. plus i get to get another knife:)
my budget is ~$100.
 
You could possibly use an Electricians knife and just use the flat head blade since most of them are slightly sharpened but not exactly sharp, just put on a proper edge to do the job.
 
thegeek574 said:
maybe an endura in ZDP? that would hold an edge longer.
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I'd have to disagree -- you're right that ZDP-189 has very good wear resistance, but it also has very low toughness (i.e., resistance to edge deformation/chipping). Even though copper is a relatively soft metal, it's still the sort of thing that could cause chipping on something as thin as a knife edge, especially, as already mentioned, one with a very acute edge angle.

In line with this, my suggestion to the OP, if you're going to use a knife for the job, would be a steel with very good toughness. The Spyderco Gayle Bradley, which uses CPM-M4 and can be had for around $120, would be my top choice within your price range. CPM-3V would also be an excellent choice, but I can't think of any currently available folders that use it and are in your price range.
 
Get yourself a deburring tool and a pocket clip or holster.
No need to sharpen anymore.
Less than $20 and the replaceable cutters are relatively cheap.
Use your head and the right tool for the job. :thumbup: ;)


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This reminds me of some people I work with. They always use the wrong tool for the job. Karda is 100% right, a deburring tool is the answer. When I am running low voltage cable on the outside of a home, usually in EMT (that's steel conduit) i use a deburring tool aka a reamer to smooth it out. There are people that use screwdrivers, needlenose pliers, knives, etc. All the wrong tools, but they work in a pinch. It can be tough to keep your tool bag neat and organized for some people, that is a given.

A knife with better steel will not help much in keeping an edge if you use it for that kind of thing. The small pipe cutters have a little deburring tool that is riveted onto the side, it should last a lifetime if you only use it on copper. They are really inexpensive too, Ridgid tools makes a decent one for a few bucks.
 
Karda said:
Get yourself a deburring tool and a pocket clip or holster.
No need to sharpen anymore.
Less than $20 and the replaceable cutters are relatively cheap.
Use your head and the right tool for the job. :thumbup: ;)


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are you crazy???!!! and then tell my wife that i don't need a new knife after all??? this is a slippery slope mister- so now i don't need a new knife, and next time i need a new __________ she reminds me that i didn't need that new knife, and starts questioning my purchasing decisions? no sir- i'm not going down that road!
 
A large flathead screwdriver won't do the trick on that small copper tubing? When it comes to deburring EMT on the job I usually use a reamer, but in a pinch a pair of lineman pliers does an even better job when you do it right. When it comes to really thin tubing then a flathead screwdriver has never failed me.
 
I install copper pipe pretty much daily, myself, and the only time I have ever used a knife to ream with, is when my pencil reamer either breaks (and I don't have another one) or if my apprentice borrows mine (because he NEVER has one) and has failed to return it when I need it. Reaming copper is going to screw up your edge no matter what kind of knife you get. Just go and buy a few pencil reamers and save your knife from the abuse.

I use this kind, but not necessarily this brand...

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Nothing really wrong with someone wanting to find a reason for using their knives, even if it isn't the best reason. It might be bordering on abuse but as long as he is fine with it, that's all that matters. For trimming the ID of tubing the small blades of a good stockman pattern folder would work well.
 
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nightman said:
Nothing really wrong with someone wanting to find a reason for using their knives, even if it isn't the best reason. It might be bordering on abuse but as long as he is fine with it, that's all that matters.
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In that case, maybe he should pitch his screwdriver in the garbage. He could always just use his knife. :rolleyes:
 
ok- we've gotten really far off topic here. i KNOW i could use the proper tool for the job- i just want some advice about buying a new knife that's a little better than the one i've got. thanks everyone:)
 
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