Fallkniven F1 chips

G

Giorgos

Joined
Apr 4, 2011
Messages
81
Hey guys,
I have noticed some micro-chips on my F1 vg-10, three to be exact which don't seem to go away. I have sharpened even using 240 grit sandpaper 2 times going up to 2500 and strop, I have dulled the edge a little bit on purpose and sharpened it again, and the chips remain. Its like the steel has a defect in these points. Is this possible or am I doing something wrong?
Also, I don't know how these got there, since I have not used the knife the last few days. I have only been stropping it with my new strop and compound from KSF, mostly playing and learning. Is it possible to chip the edge on a strop?
thnx for any help
 
That sounds a little unusual. VG-10 usually seems resistant to chipping, to me (with the knives I've tried, anyway). If anything, I've noticed a stubborn tendency for VG-10 to form burrs on the edge which, to me, is almost the antithesis of a chipping issue (edge deforming or bending, in opposition to chipping). I'd almost suspect an excessive heat treat here.

One thing you might try, is to cut hard into a piece of hard wood (like oak, perhaps). Make several hard draw cuts into the wood, slicing through the full length of the cutting edge. The idea is to hopefully break away any weakened (or brittle) steel from the edge. Then sharpen/strop again as normal. If that doesn't fix it, I'd be inclined to send it back to Fallkniven for replacement. It does sound, to me, like the edge might've been excessively hardened in heat treat.
 
OwE gave some good advice. try to get the brittle steel to break off, than sharpen it back into shape.
Fwiw, I've never had issues with fallkniven f1 or a1 chipping on me.
But, I had issues with s30V knives and it is generally agreed that the extreme of an edge can be brittle. Production knives do not have a good differential heat treat and the edges can be a little harder/brittle. If the extreme edge is gone and sharpened again, you will get to the steel that performs better and the chipping issue will go away.

only stropping and then chipping? Maybe your gf abused your knife, I know mine has in the past :)

The chips will only go away if you remove all the other metal on the knife where it is not chipped to the same depth as the chipped part.
 
thnx a lot guys for the advise. I took the knife on my garage, and I started buttoning some hard wood as you suggested, using mostly the point of the edge that had the chips. After this, they were still there, but looked smaller. Then I re-sharpened and they did go away. I have a very good edge at the moment. I have not tested it again on some wood but I will do so soon.
zyhano, I have watched your videos on ytube, before buying the knife, and most owners like you, are very happy with the f1. Me, on the other hand, I had some issues with chipping on the first camping trip I used the knife (never touched the ground, only cut wood etc). Micro-chips only, and the edge was super sharp, but still....
Dont get me wrong, I ADORE this knife, but I payed almost 300 euros for it, and I would like to be perfect. Never mind though, chips or no chips, it will go through wood like butter.
Maybe your gf abused your knife,
Click to expand...
....nah, she is perfectly happy abusing me :P
 
I get what you mean, you have high expectations and then it chips... that is a bummer. I hope it will work out for you, sharpening your knife always gives you some extra love for the thing, so this might not be a bad thing for you.
where did you buy it? Since 300 euros sounds expensive to me.. I can buy them for around 110 here in the netherlands.
EU countries should pay about the same and else you can just import them and pay postage fees.
 
where did you buy it? Since 300 euros sounds expensive to me.. I can buy them for around 110 here in the netherlands.
Click to expand...

I bought the Ivory Micarta version. I hold them both in my hand and I just couldn't resist.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top