Need help/opinions on problem with TOPs knife

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panzer075

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Jul 4, 2000
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So i just bought a tops anaconda knife. I opened the box and found the knife was dull for my taste so i sharpened it up on my wicked edge at 22 degree angle. Well as i sharpened it i found the forward 4 inches of the edge chipped and broke off and were basically a serrated edge. I call tops they say send it in so i do.

Today they call and tell me the edge was tested and was fine for RC and they polished the edge and are sending me the same knife back. Their reason for the chipping was i sharpened the knife to fine and made the edge fragile even though only half of the sharpened edge chipped. I am a little upset and searching for answers...

Anyone care to speculate why this may have happened as i feel the tops reasoning is ridiculous and i want to arm myself for my phone call tomorrow

Chris
 
The actual edge of the knife chipped and flaked off for the last 4 inches of the 8 inch straight portion of the main edge and this happened during sharpening. Not a few chips or a small ding a portion of the edge 4 inches long was chipped and flaked and looked serrated and rough.
 
Sounds like it was overheated during the factory sharpening, then dunked in water to quickly causing micro-fractures. 22 degree's per side would not be anywhere near fragile on good 1095. Hope everything works out for you:thumbup:
 
Probably over heated during sharpening or just heat treatment. I know sometimes when blades are ground out they can produce micro fractures on high carbon steel when knife maker is starting out but this isn't common. Specially not in production knives with low HRC where they tend to use far more controlled heat treatment methods.

If the chip was less than 1mm, I wouldn't think too much of it, if it was past 1mm I would ask for a replacement.
 
I asked for a replacement and they told me they buffed it out and it seemed fine and that i just sharpened it to fine and made the edge fragile.

The chips were the entire edge 4 inches long dont know how deep but they could be easily seen by the naked eye.

William if you send me a direct email i will send some pics
 
I will keep this in mind. Definitely won't be buying TOPs if their steel will chip from sharpening due to fine edges. Which imho is bull on 1095 steel.
 
either the tip over heated, or in your technique of sharpening made the tip less of an angle... this very common with people who use wet stone to sharpen knives..... what do you use to sharpen knives ??? & Tops knives are notorious for being dull out of box
 
So tops sent the knife back already and i got it yesterday. The resharpened it at about 26 degrees (read obtuse thick. ) and after about 5 minutes chopping it was chipped again. I tried resharpening it and again it got worse and became a 4 inch long section of chipped steel. I am not happy and will be calling tomorrow to demand a replacement.

Will see how it goes.
 
I would that is ridiculous there is obviously a problem if 4in of the blade chipped off I have been sharpening knives for years and I have never had a case of chipping on the blade that bad that was because of my sharpening. I find it really odd that they would try to blame the problem on you so easily speaks alot of their CS.
 
Well even though i was disappointed in the original knife and service they have sent me a new knife and covering all shipping so looks like they are trying to make it right
 
Wow nice to hear that Panzer, about time.

Sharpening and causing chips is something that can happen with a grinder but a wicked edge? On 1095? No.
 
My first time purchase of a TOPS product was last month.... a 'Back Bite' which came literally duller than a butter knife.
It's design purpose is to easily cut through in two quick movements... back and forward ("Back Bite").
I can run the pad of my thumb with pressure completely across the Wharncliffe edge, as well as the smaller concave edge and not even get a scratch.
I can honestly say I won't be purchasing anything again from TOPS.
 
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