Native 5 help EDC

This may sounds ridiculous as it's so simple but maybe just carry something like DMT Diafold in a pocket and refresh the edge as needed with a micro bevel. Should be less than a minute of work, no need to buy a new knife at all. M4 is a solid steel and the corrosion will only matter if the edge is failing by this means. Otherwise I'd say it's just cosmetic if it's not affecting function at all or messing with the innards of the knife.

Also, how are you sharpening the knife in first place? Can you detail the steps/approach/progression as much as possible? Substandard sharpening can easily bring your performance on par with about the lowest performing steel available. One of the most common contributions to this would be stropping knives or using abrasives which are unsuitable to actually cleanly cutting the metal as you end up burnishing the apex heavily which weakens it significantly.
 
Why has nobody mentioned the Rex 45 Native? I am sure you could find one around, the edge is stronger than the chippier Maxamet or S110V, saw a guy whittle copper rods with no edge damage, and has higher retention than M4.
 
It's my understanding that M4 is tougher than Rex 45 and has about the same edge retention.
 
Jejerusik said:
I agree, and I actually keep isopropyl next to me at work with a rag. I make sure I keep it clean. Some plastic straps are really thin, almost feel like the are perferatted, and it's no issue. Some are extremely thick and require a lot of force. Those are the straps that kill the knife, plus all the dirt, and metal shavings from the boxes as I have to break them down. It could be my sharpening, I could be going to find of an edge. I have a KME and I go through the diamond stones up to 1500 grit. Then 9 micro diamond tape, 6 micron diamond tape. The 4 micron diamond compound leather strop, 1.5 diamond compound leather strop. Then free hand 1 micron and .5 micron diamond compound leather strop. I may just stop at 1500 and just use the 1 micron and see it maybe not as fine of an edge holds up better.
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I sharpen everything up to 0.25 micron and never have an issue keeping an edge on M4 at that level of polish and it easily cuts through plastic banding and zip ties like a lightsaber, perhaps you aren't completely deburring the edge.
 
yepimonfire said:
I sharpen everything up to 0.25 micron and never have an issue keeping an edge on M4 at that level of polish and it easily cuts through plastic banding and zip ties like a lightsaber, perhaps you aren't completely deburring the edge.
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You might be correct, but to be fair it sounds like an issue of edge retention cutting banding etc. over and over for a working day. If it's the same stuff I've had to cut, then almost any steel will be pretty dull by the end of the day.
 
chalby said:
You might be correct, but to be fair it sounds like an issue of edge retention cutting banding etc. over and over for a working day. If it's the same stuff I've had to cut, then almost any steel will be pretty dull by the end of the day.
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True, heavy cutting of hard, abrasive material with who knows what dirt or impurities will dull any edge, even with something like k390 or 10v I've managed to wreck a fresh edge in a single day from cutting those kinds of things on more than one occasion.


Perhaps OP should carry two knives.
 
I used to work in robotics R&D and processed a lot with my EDC, so I get what you’re describing.

I’m on board with those saying 1) try a toothier edge, and 2) just carry a pair of small diagonal cutters for those gnarlier straps. Not that a good knife is the “wrong” tool for cutting those straps, but there are “better” tools, and leaves your knife in better condition for all your other tasks. 3) M4 really is a pretty good steel - I wouldn’t spend money on another knife based on what you described.

However, if you just want another knife, I’m sure we are all perfectly good enablers here 🤘 😆 🍻
 
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