Knife life expectancy

R

Roof

Joined
Aug 7, 2015
Messages
81
Ok if I plane on carrying a new ZT 350 daily with good care and maintenance. What kind of life expectancy can I reasonable expect. I don't mean edge retention. I mean how long until I need to buy a new one. Edc use with only occasional cutting of boxes envelopes etc.
 
Depends on how often you sharpen it, whether you do any mods to it, etc. People have 50-year-old knives that are still in use, and some people have... well, see this picture (from another knife forum)
11033002.jpg
 
MaximIsayev said:
Depends on how often you sharpen it, whether you etc. People have 50-year-old knives that are still in use, and some people have... well, see this picture (from another knife forum)
11033002.jpg
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My opinion, but this looks more like a crappy regrind than countless sharpening.

But your point does stand. The Traditional Forum can attest to that.
 
benchwarmer380 said:
My opinion, but this looks more like a crappy regrind than countless sharpening.

But your point does stand. The Traditional Forum can attest to that.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that was a poorly-performed mod, I hit "post" too soon. Edited my original post to reflect that.
 
MaximIsayev said:
That's what overzealous sharpening can result in. This doesn't count as normal use, though.
29459768m.jpg
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Nice mods. :thumbup:


I'd imagine most modern folders (especially one in a good stainless steel) will last a long time.


Wonder how long a folder in H1 or N690 with a titanium handle would actually survive the elements LOL. Indefinitely? ;):D:thumbup:
 
MaximIsayev said:
That's what overzealous sharpening can result in. This doesn't count as normal use, though.
29459768m.jpg
Click to expand...

To me, that looks either like a serious case of sharpening OCD, or someone just wanted to see how far they can grind a blade down. I doubt those blades were actually used down to that point.

Jim
 
So unless you like to sharpen with a bench grinder you should be good for your lifetime, you probably will have to send it back for a new speed safe torsion bar in that time though
 
Op, with your intended use and with proper maintenance I don't see why it can't last a life time. Unless you lose it.
 
James Y said:
To me, that looks either like a serious case of sharpening OCD, or someone just wanted to see how far they can grind a blade down. I doubt those blades were actually used down to that point.

Jim
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The place where I found the photo said that the knives were repeatedly sharpened on a belt grinder by someone who didn't know any better, so I guess the knives were also abused pretty thoroughly, putting chips and dents in the blade that had to be ground out.
 
Czechmate said:
Wonder how long a folder in H1 or N690 with a titanium handle would actually survive the elements LOL. Indefinitely? ;):D:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Haha. I can see some archeologist 10,000 years from now squatting in a hole with a rock hammer and toothbrush, suddenly exclaim "we've found a tool from ancient man. It appears he was a member of the tribe known as "knifeknut."
 
savage99 said:
So unless you like to sharpen with a bench grinder you should be good for your lifetime, you probably will have to send it back for a new speed safe torsion bar in that time though
Click to expand...

Kershaw will send you a new torsion bar free of charge. No need to send it in and be without the knife for a week.
 
footballplayerchris said:
Kershaw will send you a new torsion bar free of charge. No need to send it in and be without the knife for a week.
Click to expand...
Even better. Although I sent back my 0350 once because it sheared off 2 of the pocket clip screws and i can tell you they have top notch service. They worked fast and sent it back with a screaming edge.
 
It all depends on how heavily you use it and how long you are willing to carry it if it ever becomes worn down. My grandfather was a sustenance farmer and as far as I know he carried one three-bladed folder his entire life. I still have it, and the blades were worn down to toothpicks by honest use and sharpening, not by careless grinding.
 
I know I'll be buried with a few, and the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids will be getting some cool stuff!
 
Is it possible a Busse may survive the sun turning into a red giant 5 billion years from now after the earth is vaporized? Maybe some space alien will get a free prize while cruising the remnants of our solar system.
 
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