Izula factory edge?

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Nickanto

Joined
Nov 19, 2009
Messages
23
First off, I love this knife. It's my first RAT and I am now hooked on RAT knifes. I was, however, very disappointed in the factory edge of my IZULA. It's almost an unusable edge. Is this common, or did I get a fluke? I having a buddy who is a custom knife maker sharpen it for me, so it's not a problem.......I was just wondering. I expected with the praise this knife gets that it would come razor sharp from the factory.
 
The Government

The Government

Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
2,932
The factory edge they give you is obtusely ground for "utility cutting." Mine was really sharp, but a utility edge does not perform as well for basic things like wood carving IMHO.

Every time I sharpen it, I make the edge a little more acute. The more acute it is the better it performs (generally). The first thing I did after getting it was re-profile the edge.

I think the reason they do that has to do with some kind of industry standard. Most production knives have edges that are too obtuse for my liking -especially folders. It is not really a big deal -it has made me a better sharpener.
 
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S

steelheadr

Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
83
The Government said:
The factory edge they give you is obtusely ground for "utility cutting." Mine was really sharp, but a "utility edge" does not perform well for basic things like wood carving IMHO.

Every time I sharpen it, I make the edge a little more acute. The more acute it is the better it performs (generally). The first thing I did after getting it was re-profile the edge.

I think the reason they do that has to do with some kind of industry standard. Most production knives have edges that are too obtuse for my liking -especially folders. It is not really a big deal -it has made me a better sharpener.
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Is this the same for all manufacturers? I've been learning to sharpen with some cheaper knives and it seems like there needs to be a bigger bevel.

Jay
 
texastonydobbs

texastonydobbs

Joined
May 25, 2007
Messages
15,113
kinda funny I had atleast 6 Izula's all with a Factory edge and mine were razor sharp....
I use mine and then Strop them on leather and it keeps a keen edge on trhem at all times....
I have yet to see one come out with an " unusable edge" you should of shot some pics and talk with us about it if you was disapointed ,most people mess the edge up trying to sharpen their own blades and end up sending them out b/c they do not know how ?
 
The Government

The Government

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Aug 21, 2009
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steelheadr said:
Is this the same for all manufacturers? I've been learning to sharpen with some cheaper knives and it seems like there needs to be a bigger bevel.

Jay
Click to expand...
I really have no clue. It is just a guess from observations about non-kitchen knives.
 
TrailWolf

TrailWolf

Joined
Apr 13, 2009
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2,809
Nickanto said:
I was, however, very disappointed in the factory edge of my IZULA. It's almost an unusable edge. Is this common, or did I get a fluke?
Click to expand...

What do you mean the edge was almost "unusable?"

Dull? Uneven grind? Rusty? Chipped?

Elaboration please :D

EDIT: just posted before I saw your response - I've had all my RCs come hair-shaving... a few swipes on the white sharpmaker rods then a pass on my strop and they were hair-splitting...
 
Z

zippoo

Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
93
Nickanto said:
I guess I got spoiled by Spyderco's hair popping edge from the factory.
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mine came hair popping. but they are hand sharpened, so i guess there are one or two that doesn't come perfect

EDIT: my rc-3 were hair splitting when it came (didn't try splitting hair with the izula but it was about the same)
 
N

Nickanto

Joined
Nov 19, 2009
Messages
23
TrailWolf said:
What do you mean the edge was almost "unusable?"

Dull? Uneven grind? Rusty? Chipped?

Elaboration please :D

EDIT: just posted before I saw your response - I've had all my RCs come hair-shaving... a few swipes on the white sharpmaker rods then a pass on my strop and they were hair-splitting...
Click to expand...

Pretty darn dull.
 
R.A.T.

R.A.T.

Randall's Adventure & Training
Joined
Feb 4, 2004
Messages
10,400
If anyone ever gets a non-usable edge on one of our knives we would appreciate knowing about and will even pay to have it shipped back to the factory in un-used condition and replace it with a new one. Not saying we are not foulable but this just doesn't happen with our stuff but I'm sure one can slip through the cracks being hand edged as they are.
 
moonwilson

moonwilson

Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
7,250
My Izula came with an excellent edge right from the factory. I think yours must have been a fluke. All of my RATs have had great edges, right out of the box.
 
R.A.T.

R.A.T.

Randall's Adventure & Training
Joined
Feb 4, 2004
Messages
10,400
Nickanto, you want a new knife? We'll ship you one. Just shoot us an email at jeff@ratcutlery.com and one is on it's way. And you can keep the "bad" one.
 
N

Nickanto

Joined
Nov 19, 2009
Messages
23
R.A.T. said:
Nickanto, you want a new knife? We'll ship you one. Just shoot us an email at jeff@ratcutlery.com and one is on it's way. And you can keep the "bad" one.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but no thanks. I didn't mean this as a bash thread at all, I was just wondering what other people thought of the Izula's factory edge. The edge can easily be touched up. By no means, is this knife "bad".
 
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