D2 Chipping

E

Ed178

Joined
Jun 20, 2006
Messages
11
Hello All,

I had an interesting experience with an Ontario Rat RC-3 this weekend while out backpacking. I was gathering some wood for a fire for the evening and batoning some downed long, skinny limbs and chipped the blade badly. The chip is close to 1" long and maybe 0.5" deep. Needless to say, the blade is useless now.

I was batoning a relatively small limb, but it was very seasoned, old hardwood. It makes me question the use of D2 for a survival blade, or is this a heat-treat issue? I have a few folders in D2 that I have had no problems with, but, of course, they aren't using for batoning.

Thoughts?
 
I haven't had that experience with mine, actually quite the opposite. It's a tough little thing. I'd like to see some pics as well.

Welcome to BFC!
 
It could be a number of probems.

Blade ground to thin for the abuse.
Steel heat treated too hard for the abuse.
Hit something hard in the wood. (nail, staple etc...)

I have a Randall model 5 and if I hit something hard with it the blade will chip easily. I once hit a 2" diameter hardwood limb with it and dented the edge. However that knife will sharpen sharper than any knife I own and hold it for a long time. Point being that knife you have may not suit the purpose of batoning very well.

I personally think the RC-3 is a little thin for Batoning.

Bill
 
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No doubt, D2 has its advantages. I have been very impressed with its edge-holding ability. My mini-griptilian in D2 will go forever without needing sharpening.

I doubt if I hit anything in the branch that was man-made as I was way back in the woods.
 
1"x.5" thats not a chip thats a chunk, sounds like a faulty heat treat for that amount of edge to come off.
 
i think D2 is a wonderful steel and that the rc-3 is plenty thick for batoning. it sounds to me like you got a faulty heat treatment. Im sure that ontario will make it right, but if not then i guess its just an excuse to buy a rreal rat. :thumbup:
 
Do you mean the Ontario RAT3 or the RAT Cutlery RC3?

IIRC, RC3's don't come in D2.

But yeah, sounds like a faulty HT to these ears.
 
I would also guess bad heat treat, unless you have had the blade reprofiled super thin.
 
I have not touched the blade. I hadn't even used it enough to sharpen yet. The good news is that what remains of the blade is still sharp enough to shave!
 
Ontario is pretty stand up with their warranty dept. You should call them. They will refund your shipping as well if you ask.
 
DennisStrickland said:
other than bad heat treat was it possible that a rock was under the branch ?
Click to expand...

Would have had to be a bad Heat Treat or something.

I hit a rock with my FFBM the other day at full swing and all it did was dent the edge alittle, 5 min fix. ;)

1" wide by 1/2" deep is a big freaking chip IMO....
 
I've had no problems with D2 chipping. I have had some trouble with S30V chipping on a few blades.
 
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