H1...chips and bends

J

Jraptor

Joined
Jun 13, 2009
Messages
43
I got a Spyde, like the one that is being passed around. I really liked the shape, handle, and the idea the the steel would never rust. I heard that the trade of was that it was a bit less tough, but figured that is would be a decent trade off for the no-rust ability. It is the fixed blade verson with H1 Steel.
The sheath was excellent and the look and feel of the nice was superior (thought I wish I could have found the black handle instead of the yellow.
I decided to sharpen the blade and descended into hell. I have the small hand held sharpener I us on all my other knives and went to work on it. Imagine my horror after inspecting the edge and finding it chipped on the edge from the top to bottom of blade. I tried a ceramic sharpener with the same results. I have NEVER owned a knife that chipped like this when sharpened. I decided to take a break and dropped the blade from about 1 foot into a cardboard box (empty). OMG....now the tip is bent. This metal reminds me of aluminum. I was horrified.
I loved this knife the first month but now hate it and wish I could buy something else.
(edit: I took out a sentence that was more harsh than I intended)
(edit: I fixed my problem with sharpening)
As one of these posts suggested, I bought a Sharpmaker, and my sharpening skills increased exponentially.
 
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What kind of small hand held sharpener? A pull through? If so I would say that is your problem as they are absolutely junk. I am having a hard time understanding everything but I haven't heard many complaints about H1. In fact it is supposed to be quite tough and I would think would resist chipping.
 
I've never heard of H-1 chipping before. It is a very, very tough steel. There were reports of a fairly thick slab being bent over 90 degrees before breaking.

I have no idea what is causing your problems, but H-1 does not chip easily from everything I've seen and heard.

BTW--what knife is it? The Aqua Salt? Because I have heard before that the sheath will rub against the edge when the knife goes in and out, and the sheath is a very hard material, one that will abrade steel easily. Still, I never heard any reports of chipping, ever. You should send it into spyderco. They will test it, and either fix it or replace it.
 
So let's get this straight.

The edge "chips" when you sharpen it, but the tip "bent" when you dropped it?

Something doesn't add up.
 
I have to say that I was interested up to the point where the op said he dropped the knife into an EMPTY cardboard box from about a 1 foot height and it bent the tip! I'm sorry but I have to call "bull" on this one.
 
I dont know, all my H1 knives will roll the edge slightly but straiten right out when steeled or sharpened. Never had one chip though.
 
What kind of sharpener is it? I dont think you should use a pull through sharpener on anything other than dollar store knives. Spyderco knives deserve to be sharpened the right way.
 
I got a whole bunch of popcorn ready for this one.

Let us not forget the possibility that the same person who intentionally drops a knife (and suggests giving a potentially defective knife/toy to a child) might also lack knowledge of how to properly sharpen or gauge what is happening during this chip inducing sharpening session.

Oh yeah, I have seen counterfeit Spydercos too. There could be lots of plausible explanations here.

No offense to anyone intended....this thread needs images.
 
Wow, this should be good:
smiley-face-popcorn.gif
 
If he used a pull through carbide sharpener it's just as likely that the edge was torn apart. That's what happens when I try them (once every five years or so, just to prove to myself how bad they are).
 
i have a number of H1 Spyderco knives... they're essential EDCs for hanging in the garage, on the bikes, and on the pier - being so close to salt water; heck, outside condenser A/C units last less than 10 years 'round these parts...

so i took out the plain-edge H1 folder i've been carrying for the last four years on my messenger bag and took a look under a 15X loupe... and guess what? i did find a few micro-sized 'chips' in the edge...

but this knife has never been sharpened and was still kinda sharp...

so i went to the kitchen drawer and pulled out a cheap ceramic rod and gave the edge a few passes (i buy the rods for $2 at a local flea market)... took a look, and the rough spots were still there...

so i then resorted to my set of Spyderco Profile sticks (pulling out the Sharpmaker is a chore i only do when sharpening all my working edges and straight razors)...

a dozen passes with the dark stick, and then a dozen with the white stick...

took a look via the loupe, and voila! the edge is clean and hair-popping sharp again...

sorry if the OP got a stinker, but then again, doesn't Spyderco have a decent warranty:

http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=10
 
i find it hard to believe the h1 chipped. they use work hardening steel for the teeth on a backhoe bucket and they take some real abuse.
 
I've cut up a whole bedroom full of carpeting with my PE Salt 1 and there was NO chipping of the edge. It had rolled a bit but still had a usable edge. It sharpened up very easily and can now whittle hairs again.

There is the remote possibility that you received an H1 blade with a bad heat treat. Pictures would definitely help, as would be where you purchased the knife (so we can rule out a counterfeit). If you actually have a poorly heat-treated knife, I'm sure the Spydercrew would take care of you.
 
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