M4 Contego Edge... How thin is too thin?

[BePrepared]

I'll be getting my M4 soon, and i'm trying to decide how thin i can get away with. Anyone have any thoughts? I'm considering 20 degree inclusive.

 

[Skimo]

For light work that should do just fine.

 

[powernoodle]

You'll know if its too thin if it chips, rolls, etc.

 

[marthinus]

20 degrees inclusive should be fine.

Here you can see damage at 10 degrees inclusive.

CPM-M4-at-low-angles-My-experience-recently

 

[richstag]

I took my mini grip down past the thumbstuds and it has held up to HEAVY use. Not sure what the angle is though. All I know is I grind on the thumbstuds as I hone the apex.

Kevin

 

[Lennyo3034]

I had a 30 degree inclusive edge on my softer M4 Presidio and managed to roll it:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-edge-on-M4-Presidio-should-I-be-disappointed
But cutting a steel can is not exactly "Light" work.

 

[pbcg]

Maybe start with the factory edge and adjust accordingly? I have no idea what your cutting needs are but it may not be necessary to arbitrarily re-profile the blade for what your needs are?

Just a thought.

Start off and see how it works for you out of the box. If you find you need a thinner edge for your daily cutting tasks then change the angle incrementally until you find what works for you best.

Just an idea because there's such a wide range of possibilities and I think it's easier to tailor an edge to your needs as you go then taking off a bunch of metal right off the bat and finding you went too thin for the steel being used or your needs.

Best of luck!

 

[BePrepared]

I'll have it wednesday.. we'll see how i like the factory edge, but I almost never stick with the factory edge on production knives

 

[blame it on god]

I sharpened my contego at 30º inclusive and have had no problems with chipping or rolling. I polished the edge down to .25 micron on my edge pro. I use it at work to cut things like cardboard, plastic packaging, rope and strapping. Not anything I would call hard use, but the M4 holds an edge beautifully. It is my favorite steel at the moment.