Fallkniven S1 getting dull fast

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Øystein Lytskjold

Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
18
Hello

A while ago i bought a Fallkniven S1. I get it shaving sharp fairly easily, and when i (very carefully) run three fingers over the edge, it feels like it really wants to bite me if i push just a little.
I have not used the knife for a lot of stuff after the last sharpening, just cut open some plastic bags and some other soft stuff.
I notice now that the edge is still shaving sharp, but I can run my fingers over it, and it doesn't feel like it wants to bite at all(i can actually putt a little bit of pressure on it).
Have i done something wrong with my sharpening?
 
I'm betting there were a few burrs, or perhaps a bit of a wire edge. Fresh from sharpening, the burrs or wire edge can feel (be) extremely sharp. It doesn't take much to make 'em fold over or break them off, though. Even cutting some light material can do it. If your edge is still shaving sharp, and I assume it'll still perform other cutting tasks well, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
 
I'm not really worried about it as much as i am irritated :p
I think there was a minimal amount of burrs as i finished of the sharpening with 2000 grit wet/dry and stropping. I have a digital "microscope" from DealExtreme to aid me with the sharpening, and i can with good confidence say that there is no wire edge on the knife. There was a wire edge before i started sharpening, and it was very easy to spot in the microscope.
 
For what it's worth, VG-10 is the steel I first think of, when I consider some of the more stubborn wire edges I've seen. Among most or all of the VG-10 blades I've sharpened, they've stubbornly held on to a wire edge that's usually bent to one side or the other (which could make it feel 'bitey' when applying pressure one way, and feel relatively dull from the other direction). A ceramic hone is the usual fix for this, for me. As opposed to bending or breaking the wire edge off, it works to gently file it away. Then I strop afterwards.

Edited to add:
If you're still concerned about the lack of 'bite' in the edge, you might test it a little more aggressively. Cut some heavy cardboard, whittle some hardwood, something along those lines. If it'll still cleanly slice thin paper (like phone book pages) afterwards, without snagging the paper or sliding across it, then you'll know your edge is good. If, on the other hand, it snags or otherwise fails to cut, I'd still suspect a wire edge that's been folded over, with this steel in particular. And that's assuming there isn't some other issue with the steel itself, like bad heat treat.
 
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Øystein Lytskjold;9652038 said:
Thanks, ill try giving it a few passes on my ProFiles from spyderco as i dont have a ceramic rod.
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:thumbup:
The Spyderco file should work fine (I used a Spyderco DoubleStuff hone for this very task).
 
Øystein Lytskjold;9652108 said:
Is there an way you would recommend doing it, or should i just go ahead as if sharpening it normally.
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I'd start with just a few (2-3) light edge-leading passes, using a slightly elevated angle on each side, on the ceramic hone (medium or fine grit, on the Spyderco). Then re-check the cutting/slicing of the edge (I regularly rely on the phonebook page slicing test). As I mentioned before, VG-10 can be stubborn with wire edges. So, if the first few passes don't quite get it there, keep repeating & re-checking. Just be sure to go about it gently & patiently, so as not to undo your sharpening effort. When it seems like the edge is cutting as expected, then take it to the strop.
 
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