metal burn from grinding, what to do?

zyhano

zyhano

Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
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Hey all,

got my new buck hoodlum and it has a burn mark on the extreme tip from grinding (factory grind) and a wavy edge, see the screenshots.
I posted about it here (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/845556-buck-hoodlum-first-impression...confused) and contacted buck about it.

Now, when grinding myself and when I burned the metal because of frictional heat, I could really tell a difference in how the metal behaved.
I'm not so sure about the burn mark on the tip and what the effect will be?

Does anyone have any experience in this or wants to share a story?

I'm curious as to what I should do about it myself or if I need to do this at all. Opinions are appreciated, thanks guys




IMG_2121.jpgIMG_2120.jpg
 
The very tippity tip will blunt a bit faster than expected, but for most folks it's a non critical area of the blade and will sharpen out easily. If I received a knife like that (that wasn't a 500 dollar piece) I'd just go ahead and use it and wait for it to sharpen itself out. Edge "wavyness" looks about what I'd expect for a factory knife like that, I've seen much worse on more expensive knives.
 
http://www.smex.net.au/Reference/SteelColours.htm

It may not be as bad as you would think. I've colored the edges of plenty of my knives without actually making them glow. Looking at the color/temperature chart, purple and blue are just outside of normal tempering range. That said it isn't very hard to make an edge glow orange either.
Regardless, it's common for people to report better edge retention after grinding off the factory edge. Just because you can't see the damage doesn't mean it isn't there.
 
That seems like a pretty accurate chart. It backs up what some blade factory guys have told me. "If the color is brownish or lighter, you're OK. Just don't keep doing it. If it's blueish, you've killed the temper."
 
It wont hurt a thing.Its a non problem although i understand why you would be upset.
 
In the picture that edge doesn't look too wavy. As factory edges go, I'd say it's pretty even. The color on the very tip indicates some level of over heating during the application of the factory edge. As I understand this is a survival type knife, give it a good afternoon thrashing in the back yard and see how it holds up. If it does a satisfactory job, I'd leave it for now. It will eventually sharpen out. If it doesnt do well, sharpen it out now. That's really the only cure, unless you can arrange a re-heat treatment. Also, that chart is for plain carbon steels. Alloying elements can change the temperature ranges for particular colors. I'd say it's close enough for 5160, but if it were stainless steel, that chart would be out the window.
 
thanks guys for all the responses.
I was already 'thrashing it in the yard' and of course it's fine. I agree that it won't hurt, you just know how it is with a new blade; expecting it to be perfect.

I have contacted buck about it and they responded immediately, offering to pay shipping costs from the netherlands and changing it for a new one.

That's what I call excellent service!! kudos to buck.

I decided to not take them up on the offer, no need to incur extra cost for them, for a blade that I will happily use anyway.

I'm over my dissapointment and like to sharpen and tinker anyway, so as Seals said, it's a non problem anyway (btw, those are almost the exact same words I used in my response to buck :))

I do think though, for those that said that factory edges can be wavy, that you could expect more of a factory grind for a well known brand. They are pro's and it's their business, they are able to deliver a nice straight grind.
 
In theory you are right about the bevels. However, I'd say those bevels were put on by hand, and it's difficult to keep and even bevel on a long blade like this.
 
me2 said:
In theory you are right about the bevels. However, I'd say those bevels were put on by hand, and it's difficult to keep and even bevel on a long blade like this.
Click to expand...
yes, I think it is difficult, for me at least. I'm not a knifemaker/grinder by profession though. And there are people that manage to do it and those are the ones who should be doing it.
But hey, we're all human, stuff happens :)
 
I think the bevels look about on par for most factory knives. I can't recall ever getting ONE with a perfect edge bevel.
 
Wavy edges can be caused by slack belt grinders or contact wheels. Sharpen your knife by hand on a nice flat stone to lose the waves.
 
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