Reinforced shipping tape is hard on edges!

gglotz83

gglotz83

Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Messages
198
For the longest time I could not figure out why my edges were not lasting very long - even high-end steels (ZDP, S110V etc). I usually just cut packing tape and a small amount of cardboard.

Well, I think I have figured it out!

I do a lot of Amazon shopping....I probably receive 2-3 boxes a week minimum. I just realized that the shipping tape they use is reinforced with fiberglass....that must be killing my edges in quick order!

Anyone else have a similar experience?
 
Yes. Cut some ductboard and watch a sharp edge go from hair whittling to dull in a few cuts. Regardless of super steel or not.
 
Ha!

Amazon uses the dirtiest cardboard and shipping tape on the planet......

I just chopped up 3 of their larger boxes, 4 pieces of that tape on each side.
My edge took it very well (20CV) but in the past, with different steels, it was time to hit the strop after cutting up one of their boxes....
 
Yup. I cut up a lot of Amazon boxes and it has necessitated a move to higher end steels so I can make it through the day without sharpening. Although, I'm finding that D2 ground nice and thin is doing pretty well for me.
 
why do y'all need to cut the boxes up? I just open them up then flatten them out and throw in the recycling bin.....why dice them up?
 
Superdave1 said:
why do y'all need to cut the boxes up? I just open them up then flatten them out and throw in the recycling bin.....why dice them up?
Click to expand...

This is generally how i do it as well. Although, if I have a shiny blade with smudges and gunk... cutting a bit of cardboard sure cleans that right up. :P
 
Either flatten them or get yourself a serrated blade.

Awhile back, someone did a cut test with a Spyderco Endura(?) fully serrated and it cut over a 1/2 mile of cardboard before performance was notably degraded.
 
I only use the very tip to cut the plastic because yeah the box and tape is very fibrous, but I don't mind as I enjoy sharpening.

I've noticed though, cts 204p edge lasts much longer than s35vn for these tasks.
 
JR88FAN said:
Ha!

Amazon uses the dirtiest cardboard and shipping tape on the planet......

I just chopped up 3 of their larger boxes, 4 pieces of that tape on each side.
My edge took it very well (20CV) but in the past, with different steels, it was time to hit the strop after cutting up one of their boxes....
Click to expand...

No fair! The blade you're using is a killer regrind :grumpy:
:thumbup:
 
Superdave1 said:
why do y'all need to cut the boxes up? I just open them up then flatten them out and throw in the recycling bin.....why dice them up?
Click to expand...

Limited disposal space. Flattened out they still take up quite a bit more space than if I break them down a bit more. I can just flatten out the small boxes, but those are the exception, big stuff is the rule.
 
PiercedBill said:
No fair! The blade you're using is a killer regrind :grumpy:
:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Ha!

Thanks man!

It's true, the regrind on this knife is perfect. 18DPS with 0.20 behind it seems to be magic for this steel with the RHK HT.

I cut up a bunch of big Diaper boxes that left the blade covered in tape gunk, those 3 Amazon boxes polished all that stuff right off!!
 
Superdave1 said:
why do y'all need to cut the boxes up? I just open them up then flatten them out and throw in the recycling bin.....why dice them up?
Click to expand...

Recycling programs are getting fairly strict where I live.
If it doesn't fit into the 'blue box' they're not taking it.....(I used to be able to flatten it and strap it)

I have a family of 5, so I can get 10 blue boxes, or cut up my cardboard.
I'll cut it up....
 
I have to agree with TravisH.

There are times when a serrated edge is better off being used for rough-cutting tasks.

Most people don't like them because they have no idea how to properly sharpen them.

Plus they tend to "jam" them through the material being cut up too quickly and at the wrong angle of attack.

When I have a choice in the matter, I grab a serrated edge, when I know I am going to be cutting up cardboard or rope or plastic ties or anything rough like that.
 
Utility knife

Add a strop if you want to be eco friendly. Problem solved. Save the EDC knives for the cutting tasks their geometries suit.
 
Yeah, that kinda stuff is murder on my edges. I don't mind sharpening, though.

Use what you like, and put a new edge on it when you have to. It's all part of the fun of this hobby.
 
Superdave1 said:
why do y'all need to cut the boxes up? I just open them up then flatten them out and throw in the recycling bin.....why dice them up?
Click to expand...

No NEED to cut or dice them? :confused: Saying this on blade forum is SACRILIGIOUS BLASPHOMY!!!! :mad: You should be banished forever! :D

Just kidding, but seriously cardboard is excellent material for testing & comparing knives, in 5 minute use on cardboard you can know everything that is good or bad with each knife ex: blade grinds, handle ergonomics, steel performance etc.

Plus it therapeutic fun to stab, chop and slice those evil boxes!!! :D
 
Ah, so THIS is why my contego's M4 blade seems like 8CR13 when doing cardboard tests with Amazon boxes.
 
I carry a small bit of hacksaw blade that I ground a 1/4 inch blade on for opening boxes. Works better then most knives. The sak awl is also pretty good.
 
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