KA-BAR 1189 Stainless....What is this stuff???

[Brasso]

I decided to sharpen a Ka-bar 110 clone that's been laying around for years, and I couldn't get this thing to take an edge. It just wouldn't take a hone, it was hard as a rock. After about 10 minutes on a diamond stone I gave up with no apparent effect on the blade at all. It says 1189 stainless, but the ka-bar website lists it as model 1189 with 440a steel. What gives, do they just harden their blades beyond belief or what?

 

[GrinderJohn]

Look close at the edge. My bet is that you are
grinding on the sholder of the edge. Eg you are
reprofiling the edge. To make things more clear,
use a permanent marker to color the edge. Sharpen
and se where the stain is removed.
I allways reprofile the edge on a new knife. It
usually takes 2 to 4 hours with COARSE diamond.
john

 

[Chang]

Get a belt sander (even a 1x30" will work), so you can reprofile edges in 15 seconds. Just make sure you dont overheat, and dip in water to cool.