Newbie question: does anyone wear out a knife?

As far as the basic functionality of the knife is concerned (cutting) - the answer is no. In fact, in that context, the question would more appropriately be posed, "Do knives wear out (and outlast) their owners?"

Now, more to the point of those who frequent this forum, many knives wear out their welcome with their owners as no longer fulfilling that intangible that drives our passion. As indicated in this thread, we lose interest and fall out of love and flip our knives. Some of us (Hi, I'm John and I'm a knife-a-holic) have bought, sold and then re-bought the same make/model knives - eve more than one cycle!:rolleyes:

So, to answer the OP's question, NO, YES and YES & NO.:D:confused:
 
I've worn out two knives, a piece of junk CRKT m16 12z after 3 years, and a SOG mini xray vision after 14 years. My steyr m9 has about 2500 rounds through it, my Beretta px4 .40 over 5000 easy. My 1944 underwood m1 carbine has an ungodly number of rounds through it I'm sure, and still runs perfect. I've put 10000 in it myself, easily. Who knows what it saw in the war. My Ruger mark 2 competition model has probably 15000 in it and is as fickle as day one.
 
I have have a Old Timer that belonged to my dad's uncle. He chewed plug tobacco and used the knife to cut bits off of the plug. It was sharpened by hand on a stone. Two of the blades are literally half the width that they used to be. It is as close to worn out as I have ever seen a knife.
 
RBid said:
This is an academic question, not a challenge. Have there been reports of this happening?

I'm not particularly concerned, just looking to increase my understanding. I have 5 folders that I consider suitable for frequent use. If I wear one out, I'll consider the dead one worthy of retirement, and I'll move on. If I manage to wear out a $200+ knife, then I'll feel like I got every penny of value out of it, and then some.

The closest I've gotten to wearing a knife out was using a Spyderco Persistence until the blade became badly off center. It still opens and closes, though the blade is almost resting against a liner on one side in the closed position. I could still use it if I had to.
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One of the original custom CQC-8s which was owned by a member of the Navy SEALs has its liner worn to the point that it contacts the opposite side. Because this liner is relatively thin (unlike the later, thicker liners on the newer customs) there is an increased chance of failure as it's possible that the tang could shear off a portion of the liner if sharp pressure is applied. That's on a knife that's only around 20-22 years old.
 
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I purposely used this Mercator extremely hard at work as a test. I only hand sharpened and wore it down noticeably in a couple years. Still, that's pretty good.



You see lots of older slipjoints sharpened down with no evidence of power tools.

Regardless, these knives last quite a while, even used a lot.
 
I wore out one or two back when I only had a couple of knives, and I sucked at sharpening (each sharpening took off a fair bit of metal from the blade...).

Now that I don't suck at sharpening, and have a bunch of knives to rotate through, chances are I won't be wearing out any more knives. :)
 
OK, now I am panicking!!:eek:

My knife isn't going to last to the next millenium??

What will I be doing that shortens its reasonable life?
 
Pier23 said:
OK, now I am panicking!!:eek:

My knife isn't going to last to the next millenium??

What will I be doing that shortens its reasonable life?
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For the blade, just don't suck at sharpening, and it should be fine. :)

For the locking mechanism, if you flick it open and shut 1000 times per movie you watch, that might wear it out a tad. ;)
 
K.O.D. said:
I've worn out two knives, a piece of junk CRKT m16 12z after 3 years, and a SOG mini xray vision after 14 years. My steyr m9 has about 2500 rounds through it, my Beretta px4 .40 over 5000 easy. My 1944 underwood m1 carbine has an ungodly number of rounds through it I'm sure, and still runs perfect. I've put 10000 in it myself, easily. Who knows what it saw in the war. My Ruger mark 2 competition model has probably 15000 in it and is as fickle as day one.
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I have two Glock G19's, a Gen 2, I bought new around 1990 and a Gen 3 that is a retired range gun. I had an Glock armorer go through the Gen 3 as it was estimated to have 25,000+ rds through it. Armorer did a complete breakdown and only replaced the recoil guide/spring. Said it was good to go. Still functions fantastic and does not feel any looser then my Gen 2 with maybe 2,000 rds.

If made right and maintained, mechanical things can last for many many years.
 
A well made knife can and will last a lifetime if properly maintained.

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davek14 said:
........I purposely used this Mercator extremely hard at work as a test. I only hand sharpened and wore it down noticeably in a couple years. Still, that's pretty good.....

You see lots of older slipjoints sharpened down with no evidence of power tools.

Regardless, these knives last quite a while, even used a lot.
Click to expand...

Had mine in hand just yesterday. It's about two clicks from looking like yours. Amazing little knives. Every time I hold it and think of all those expensive folders it seems quite a value.
 
The Schrade-Walden 108 OT (3-blade small stockman) I carried in high school has a worn main blade lock. I'm pretty sure it once locked open but now nothing locks on it and the blade seems to want to hang slightly below the level at which it should lock. I cannot tell where the failure is but its lockbar stays slightly raised above the level of the liner along the back when closed. It's retired though.

That's the only folder I've ever worn out. And of the ones I have now, any of them over, say, $100-ish better not "wear out" during my lifetime.

As has been said, very few people will wear out a decent folder. I can see how the few who use one heavily on a daily basis might though.

As to fixed blades I have a few older heavy users, particularly outdoor knives, that have been sharpened well beyond the maker bevel or grind...but of course with the good ones of good steels you just keep on truckin'...
 
It's not generally relevant, as folks who like knives...enjoy getting new ones occasionally.
I've never worn one out...as I'm a casual user.
 
This old Benchmade has 20 years of use on it. Broke the tip years ago, re profiled it with a file. Still is as tight as ever, takes and holds a keen edge, looks decent, and shows little wear. It is far from being worn out, and will last me another 20 years, easily.
 
There a plenty of user knives out their that are older than me. A lot of the older slipjoints are made of softer high carbon steels (vs the newer 'super' steels) and they still have plenty of life in them.

I carried a Kershaw framelock for about 7 years before the pivot started feeling a bit worn. It wasn't broken, it just didn't open as smoothly anymore. Kershaw replaced the pivot and I and it is good as new.
 
I've had lockbars wear out in several knives such that vertical blade play develops, but I've never had a knife become totally non functional due to use. I haven't been into knives for all that long though, and my use is spread out across the dozens in my collection. I really doubt I'll ever wear a knife out completely, just enough that I no longer want to carry it.
 
It's taken 3 generations of my family to wear down this Cattaraugus Cutlery knife.
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I wouldn't worry about wear unless there's something out of the ordinary that might cause malfunction. For example: if you want a knife for scuba diving then you will want a steel that is highly corrosive resistant to salt water. If you buy the correct knife for the correct situation and use as intended then you should have a knife that lasts you a lifetime+. Just like with guns, some materials rust so they will need more attention than others. Know your steel and take care of it.
 
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