EDC conundrum???

N

Newc_man

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
5
Hey dudes, I've been using a 440c Nieto skinner as my EDC for a couple years and its held up really good.
I'm in the market for a new EDC, done a whole bunch of research and looking at 2 knives NOW in particular;

Gerber LMF II, 420HC, camel brown, 2 strap sheath
or
Fallkniven F1, VG10 lam, standard black plastic sheath

Here's my issue, I hear reports of the VG10 core chipping along the cutting edge. Yes, I've watched the destruction "tests" but also other guys are saying this about there own Fallknivens. Is this the exception, or is VG10 that brittle?

I'm blowing a fair wad of cash on this guy, it needs to hold up to wood splitting, fishing(salt and fresh), hunting use, the odd cardboard box, rope cutting(all the usual stuff). Woodlands, beach, coastal swamp and urban environments.

For durability reasons, is the 420 HC a better option or am I being mislead about the brittleness of VG10?

This is my first post here, you guys seem to know your stuff and respect each other too. I'm a new member and I did search this topic. Read what I could find, still confused...
 
the vg10 will hold an edge much much longer as its probably a few points higher on the hardness scale.

any edge can chip if it hits something harder with enough force. if you use any knife as much as you say, the edge is going to get damaged and it will need periodic maintenance.

i would rather have better edge holding, and a better overall product, and risk a little chipping. i can repair chips on an edge.

i have no idea if chipping is common with the fallknivens, and i dont recall reading much about it here. i do know gerber does not have the best reputation these days.
 
from what i've read, some Fallknivens may get some microchips when new. but once sharpened a couple of times, the problem, if any, apparantly goes away.

i went with a Fallkniven S1 and also a WM1 for edc.
 
The lmf is a sharpened prybar. Thats not to say it isn't a very tough knife with in my opinion a decent heat treat and fairly good steel, but its not the greatest cutter.

The Fallkniven on the other hand, is a knife first and foremost, and will cut, whittle and even cut up a fish in a pinch much better than the lmf. The chipping has been mentioned by people but most seem to have discovered that after the first bit of steel is taken off the edge the problem goes away. Which is not uncommon in knives in general.

Depends on the use, from what you're saying I'd think the LMF and either a small thinner fixed blade, or a folder to go with it would be the ideal combo, one for really rough stuff and one for the delicate work.
 
Thanks guys,

You've put my fears to rest. Really keen on the F1, just was apprehensive about the cost:resilience factor.

Micro chipping I can handle and fix, chipping on the other hand is a flaw.

Thanks for the advice.
 
Two very different knives, ones like a tank and the other like a sports car.

VG-10 is not the type of steel to chip, most that say their knife has chipped misunderstand what they are seeing. VG10 is known to roll and deform but not chip, its also a very flexable steel when ground thin. The fallkniven will better serve you as it was made to cut and cut well.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Two very different knives, ones like a tank and the other like a sports car.

VG-10 is not the type of steel to chip, most that say their knife has chipped misunderstand what they are seeing. VG10 is known to roll and deform but not chip, its also a very flexable steel when ground thin. The fallkniven will better serve you as it was made to cut and cut well.
Click to expand...

Just rolling? Now that I'm used to, the 440C does that occasionally (splitting timber). i've just run it over a normal cheap kitchen steel for a little while and all better. I'm hoping all the same with VG10.

I own a good diamond sharpener, but find it cuts too agressively on 440C and 1095. The cheap kitchen steel is more forgiving.
 
Yes you can use a steel but I wouldn't, there are better ways like using a ceramic rod for example. Using a honing steel on harder knife steels can cause micro chipping and IMO produces a pretty dull edge. Again its not something to worry about with VG10 but I would still stay away from the steel.

I can't remember the word but it starts with a "d" and refers to the flex or how plyable the steel is. Its the reason VG10 will roll and not chip. (someone wanna help me out with this one?)

VG10 is a tough steel and can take a beating, its easy to sharpen and takes a killer edge. Enjoy your new knife.
 
knifenut1013 said:
I can't remember the word but it starts with a "d" and refers to the flex or how plyable the steel is. Its the reason VG10 will roll and not chip. (someone wanna help me out with this one?)
.
Click to expand...

You are thinking ductile but might want to say malleable if I remember material science correctly.

:thumbup:
 
You are correct!!!


I was having a brain fart.
 
yah, if there was any serious issue with Fallkniven's Laminated VG-10, i'm sure it would have come to light by now.
 
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