HELP!! Edge Chipping while Sharpening... On a custom?????

tiogatires

tiogatires

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2007
Messages
2,790
I need some opinions here..... I recently bought a Caldwell 1-5. I was definately under the impression that this was a quality blade from the things I've read here on the forums. I usually define the edge somewhat on new knives to my usual slight convex on the old mousepad up to a 1200 grit wet/dry paper. It puts out a super mirror edge and ultra sharp edge. Again, I do this to all of my knives and have never had an edge chip...until now. Here's the thing, I have never used this knife. I bought it and took it to the mouse pad for a refinement and polish. While sharpening it, I would inspect the blade's edge and noticed what I thought was the wire burr in one spot. When I went to touch it, it actually flakes off a small piece of the edge, probably about 1/32" deep and 1/8" long (154cm)?????? WTH???? Anyone ever seen this? I have since contacted the merchant I bought it from and am awaiting what I hope to be an RMA to send it back for a replacement. I hope I didn't gamble on a less than - quality knife. I certainly thought these were top tier blades! Any opinions on the Calwell line up and also what might have happened with the edge?

I failed to mention that initially, I thought it was a fluke and continued to sharpen out the original "flake" but it kept happening. i can actually chip off the edge with my fingernail. I just put the knife down and picked up the ole' puter to shout out you all of you.
 
I've never heard of Caldwell knives before and I was curious so I looked it up. The one I saw sure didn't look like a custom. Maybe a mid-tech or semi production but I may be wrong. Anyway, that chipping is not normal. Send it back to the maker and tell them what you told us. I'm sure they'll make it right with you. These things happen. Sometimes a knife slips through QC with a flaw. It doesn't necessarily mean anything bad about the maker. Maybe you just got a bad knife.
 
Incorrect heat treat. If it chips along the edge could be the tempering cycle may have been missed.
 
I got a feeling this blade never got heat treated. I did that once years ago and caught it before it left the shop.
 
Thanks all. I just wanted to update: the dealer is a class act and is overnighting another 1-5 to me tomorrow. He just earned a life long customer!! Anyway, no intention of bashing makers here as I love them all for making sharp things for me to cut myself with. I understand things happen - were all human after all. I was more curious why the edge of a knife would chip like that having never seen it before. I have many many knives but am not too experienced in the mechanics of heat treating or the actual metallurgy of steels. So input on this is appreciated. Just like learning new things!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top