Factory edge

J

jius

Joined
May 13, 2014
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280
I just saw a review of BK2 on YouTube by some coloured Owl outdoors and it seems like a video with their mind made up from the outset with no neutral opinion, unlike many quality YouTubers who review knives and gear. But what got me, which I hear a lot in some videos, is a moaning about the 'factory edge'. Do Beckers in your opinion really come with a crap edge from the factory?

I would say mine seemed to come very sharp (almost took a finger off). But perhaps as being no knife expert I'm missing a trick. So my question is:
1) Was I a lucky one?
2) Its just people whinging?
3) The edge comes ready for CAMPanion craft its designed for so no thin feeble hair shave edge, but a more abuse taking - longer lasting one?
4) Something else

Perhaps answered already, or perhaps being a Becker convert I'm already enfuriated by unimpartial, unprofessional review videos and getting a bit defensive. Or perhaps I'm too enamoured by my BK2 that I'm missing out on having an even greater edge?!
 
Factory edges are..........factory edges. Put on in a whisk and moved on to the next.

And they are put on by hand. So there are going to be some better than others.

I don't put much stock or interest in factory edges, since all my knives get a new edge right off the bat. My way of taking ownership.

I have yet to find one factory edge that comes even close to one of mine.

Doesn't matter if it's Kabar, ESEE, ZT, Mora, Buck, or even my customs. None come as sharp as I want or can get it


But yeah, some BKT edges are flubbed.

Moose
 
From memory only my BK24 came reasonably dull. My others have been very sharp, especially the BK7 and 5, they were incredibly sharp. I think Moose sums it up.
 
And I want to add, a factory edge will cut. They cut card stock at the factory before it gets boxed. But some folks think that all knives should shave atoms from the factory, but that just ain't the case. They gotta lot of knives to dial in during a shift........whisk down each side and a quick buff. 'Bout it. Watch this.......you'll get the idea......

[Youtube]ttrKq70Mlss[/youtube]

Moose
 
Yeah, I 2nd or 3rd moose. The first thing I do out of the box is shave my arm. Every one I received passed that test. I give them a strope and thats it. That guys a whiner. No edge lasts forever.
 
The beckers I have gotten have been sharp but more of a toothy sharp, if I look close at the edge it I can see a rougher grind. I just pull out the work sharp, convex the grind and polish it out to a nice smooth, shaving edge.

If one is so inclined, they can just use the factory edge, which is usually good and then sharpen later when it dulls.
 
My BK9 and BK15 came pretty sharp (could get hairs off, but wasn't "scaring them off" at all). My BK2 wasn't that sharp when I got it, but it would still cut paper.

But yeah, I don't really give two hoots about the factory edge, as it will come off soon anyway.
 
Out of all my Becker's my BK5 has been the sharpest from the factory. Followed by my 15. My 2 would cut paper but didn't really shave (but who cares its a 1/4' thick utility blade). My 11 was sharp, would do paper, and almost shaved, just touched it up a tad and it was a laser.

Of all the knives I own, my BK5 and ZT 0801 are tied for sharpest from the factory. Then the BK15 and ZT 0562 and ZT 0700 would all be tied for second. Dullest knife out of the box would have to be my Gerber BG... but that's kinda expected :)
 
It seems that people here had similar experiences, but all in the positive understanding of manufacturing process so no big deal. I bet none of your would do a 5+ min video complaining about it and mentioning it at every minute. I guess its sign of the times - any idiot with a camera thinks they are the best thing since sliced bread on YouTube.

But from replies here I see it as a testament to the type of people in this forum, understanding, realistic and positive and just want to get the job done - funny enough just like a good Becker knife.
 
There are very few things that bother me, and one is people that get knives out of the box and think that's as sharp at it will ever get. I actaully know people that won't use their knives because it will dull the "factory edge".

Damn that gets under my skin. You own a knife, you better know how to sharpen it.

Anyone here on the forums that's felt one of my edges, knows that bitch will cut. I take great pride in my edge work, not for others but for myself.

Guys that go on Youtube a complain about factory edges, get about zero percent of my interest and even less of my respect.

Rant complete. Reboot in 15 minutes.......

Moose
 
Have all my BK's been shaving sharp from the factory? Most have, but not all. But, they have ALL been a good working sharp. That's more important to me than shaving sharp. Who really gives a rat's ass? I would rather use them out in the field, and see what they can do, versus sitting at home and seeing how well they'll shave the hair off my arm. Get out and use them, and you'll appreciate the capabilities of each and every one.
 
To add my 2 centavos - I've seen the video in question, and while I do enjoy watching their channel from time to time, having used a BK2 for a while, I didn't agree with his opinion. And I still don't get why he calls everyone "turtles"...

When I got my first BK2, I noticed that, while sharp, it had a very uneven grind - managed to exchange it for another which was kind of dull and had an odd upsweep that made it look more tanto-ish. Third time was the charm. That's when I learned that Beckers are hand ground (was a total noob) and some variations are to be expected. A little edjumacation makes all the diffrance.

Since then, the family has grown - my 7 & 15 arrived stupid sharp, but my 4 showed up pretty dull.

Like others have said - it's luck of the draw.

Moose, I think I'm gonna have to pick your brain on sharpening techniques.
 
If I ever spend several hundred dollars on a knife, I will probably expect it to have an extremely sharp edge. My BK knives have had a good edge, even if I can't use them like a straight razor.:rolleyes:
You know that if there were people taking time to make sure all BK&T knives were sharpened up to 6000 grit, that it would be reflected in the price.

So the edge on the outdoor knife isn't hair whittling sharp. Some people will always find something to complain about.
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If you own/use a knife (any knife) you'd best know how or learn how to keep it sharp. All edges are temporary. I pay no attention at all to the edge that comes on a new knife. Like Moose said, it's gonna get a sharpening right out of the box. Just part of it.
 
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