Did anyone else's 0561 come out of the box dull?

Terry M.

Terry M.

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Feb 5, 2006
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I can run my finger up and down the edge and it won't even think about cutting phone book paper. REALLY disappointed. I know I can sharpen it but I expected to have a razor edge out of box.
 
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Sorry about your edge TM.

You could look to have it replaced by your dealer, or send it in for sharpening.

Please watch your language in the future. The BFC has general rules all members need to follow.
 
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I've always been impressed with the edges on my new kershaws and ZTs, including my 0561. They're right up there with spyderco for out of the box sharpness in my experience. Sounds like you received one that missed the final sharpening. I would just have the dealer swap it out for a different one. Great knife otherwise though eh?
 
Ah, my bad. you are right. I was frustrated but that's not an excuse. Only problem: I bought it on-line not in person so I'd have to mail it back. If I send it in to be sharpened to KAI how long does it take? I was clearly excited about getting the knife and to have to mail it off to get it sharpened and wait more time.... well, the other fanatics around here can probably understand my hesitation..... I want to use it now! LOL! I'll try sharpening it, just obviously disappointed; both my 0350's were razor/scary sharp out of box.
Sorry again about the language, bad day topped off by disappointment. :foot:
 
Quick follow up to spketch - final sharpening.... good point. Do you suppose just stropping or actually taking a stone to it? My most expensive knife and I'm hesitant to screw it up. :p
 
S110V is chock full of carbides, it eats stones and belts like snacks.if you want to have a super edge put on it, contact Richard J.
 
I figured since you started this thread you aren't totally comfortable sharpening it yourself. Otherwise it would have been, "0561 needed a sharpening but is one heck of a knife!"
Elmax isn't too bad to sharpen but if it has no edge bevel your best bet is to send it out. Swap it with the dealer, send it to zt, or send it to RichardJ. All will give you the results you're looking for.
From what you've described a strop alone isn't going to cut it.
 
RevDevil said:
S110V is chock full of carbides, it eats stones and belts like snacks.if you want to have a super edge put on it, contact Richard J.
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Is it the standard ELMAX production version or the limited s110v? I didn't see where he mentioned it.


Civil PE said:
Isn't Murray Carter one of the best pro sharpeners? Might want to look him up.
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Murray Carter recommends water stones, starting at 1000 grit. S110V, ELMAX, and many other high wear resistant steels will laugh at high grit water stones for a reprofiling job. Murray Carter is an expert in his area, but to my knowledge he doesn't seem to deal much with high carbide, high wear resistant steels. I'd love to see someone try to reprofile a high wear resistant steel with a 1000 grit king stone.
 
Sorry I didn't note that its the Elmax. I've got diamond stones which I'm using now at about 20%. So far it's getting better but I can see this is going to take some work. RichardJ you all mention huh? May have to look him up if this doesn't go we'll.
outside of the dull edge it IS a fantastic work of art!
 
greeenie said:
my suggestion, buy a wicked edge.... you wont be dissappointed
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It seems the OP is disappointed his $200+ knife came dull out of the box. I'm not sure immediately dropping an additional $400+ on a guided sharpening system is the next logical step.
 
I brought back my 0551's ElMax edge to razor status with a Spydie Sharpmaker and some Bon Amis and a wet sponge to keep the ceramic files clean (Very important!). The only thing dull on either my 0561, s/n <0200, and 0560, s/n ~ 3400. out of their boxes was the 0561's 'dull' grey Ti, the 0560 is shiney. Like the pair of 0551's I have - and my first ZT, an 0301, they were all delivered very sharp. If your edge wasn't finished, I'd send it back for exchange to the dealer - or resharpening by Kershaw/ZT.

Stainz
 
Fanglekai said:
It seems the OP is disappointed his $200+ knife came dull out of the box. I'm not sure immediately dropping an additional $400+ on a guided sharpening system is the next logical step.
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Lets keep the o.p.'s thread on track, snarky remarks at other forum members who were only making a suggestion to help the o.p. doesn't help anyone.
 
I put a pretty decent edge on my 560 with a Gatco using diamond stones and a white alumina finishing stone. Took some time but lowered the angle and got a better edge.
 
I don't care who the maker is, every once in a while stuff like this happens. We get the rare ZT or Kershaw sent back to us because of minor defects or a dull blade, but this happens with every maker we carry. It actually happens less with ZT and Kershaw than with most of the others. I hate it for the OP but he only has three options. Sharpen it himself, send it back to ZT or send it back to the dealer! If you are buying a High End knife like this, most dealers are going to do anything and everything to keep you happy!
 
My 0550 and 0300 had thick about 50+ degree edges. Not dull but not good cutters. I drop my edges down to 30 degrees and make them do what they are made to do, cut.
 
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