Riddle me this

J

johnnail

Joined
Apr 3, 2014
Messages
13
I have a new Tidioutte 42 lockback. I sharpen it razon sharp, carry it a couple days, and it's so dull, it won't cut meat. What's happening?!? :confused:
 
johnnail said:
If I get it razor sharp, what difference does angle and stropping make? Point being, the edge I put on it goes away, and I don't understand why.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what angle would have to do with it. The sharper the angle, in general, the shorter the life. On 1095 Carbon Steel, an 11 degree angle would need to be sharpened more frequently than a 22 degree angle. You might also have a wire edge. If the "razor edge" goes away without cutting anything, I would suggest you have a "wire edge".
 
rma100 said:
You might also have a wire edge. If the "razor edge" goes away without cutting anything, I would suggest you have a "wire edge".
Click to expand...

That would be my guess. A wire edge is a very small burr that is extremely sharp, but collapses or wears away when cutting anything substantial.
 
From what you said, I would agree with rma100 and RobbW - sounds like a wire edge that is folding over on first real use.

There is a wealth of information on sharpening in the Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment forum here.

I would especially recommend the sticky threads at the top, I learned tons from reading those.
 
rma100 said:
That's exactly what angle would have to do with it. The sharper the angle, in general, the shorter the life. On 1095 Carbon Steel, an 11 degree angle would need to be sharpened more frequently than a 22 degree angle. You might also have a wire edge. If the "razor edge" goes away without cutting anything, I would suggest you have a "wire edge".
Click to expand...

Another vote for the wire edge, this is why you strop, a wire edge, it can seem razor sharp but the wire edge rolls over basically leaving a rounded edge, it probably wasn't really sharp to start with, (that comment was not meant as a slam on your sharpening skills) an 8X loupe is invaluable when it comes to assessing a really sharp edge.

It is possible it's a heat treat failure although highly unlikely, it is possible...
 
Wire edge; strop until you can slice paper cleanly.
 
jc57 said:
From what you said, I would agree with rma100 and RobbW - sounds like a wire edge that is folding over on first real use.

There is a wealth of information on sharpening in the Maintenance, Tinkering & Embellishment forum here.

I would especially recommend the sticky threads at the top, I learned tons from reading those.
Click to expand...

Good idea. And off we go to the land of the sharpening gurus...

Moving_van_tnb_zps0defcb83.png
 
You guys don't get it. I'm not cutting anything at. It dulls in my pocket. I can push down on the closed blade, and hear metal on metal. The blade is very (too) easy to push down. I suspect it is hitting the inside. The last inch or so of the blade toward the tip--the part you really use--is what dulls
 
If you are pushing down on the closed blade of a GEC 42, you are pushing the edge into the lockbar; the knife is not designed to push in on the closed blade. Pushing the edge into a hardened piece of steel, i.e. the lockbar, will dull it immediately. Think about it.
 
johnnail said:
You guys don't get it. I'm not cutting anything at. It dulls in my pocket. I can push down on the closed blade, and hear metal on metal. The blade is very (too) easy to push down. I suspect it is hitting the inside. The last inch or so of the blade toward the tip--the part you really use--is what dulls
Click to expand...

While the knife is still new and hasn't been tinkered with too much, you might want to send it back to GEC. If the contact happens under incidental pressure when closed, it's probably a little too loose or sloppy, and GEC should fix that for you. I have a knife like this (different brand); just gripping it to pull it out of pocket is enough to grind the edge on the lockbar, in roughly the same location near the blade's tip.

On the other hand, if the contact were only happening if pushing hard (deliberately), or if allowing the blade to snap shut hard, those are habits to avoid, and no defect of the knife itself.


David
 
Last edited:
johnnail said:
Gunstockjack:
I'm not doing it on purpose. I just put it in my pocket.
Click to expand...

The 42 is a large pattern, and I could see that happening when sitting, crouching or other natural movement, especially if the pocket is tight. You might try a knife slip or belt sheath, or try another pocket.

Hope this helps.
 
I wanted to offer this knife for trade, but apparently you have to be a paid member? If not, somebody please send me the link to the forum where I am allowed to post it
 
So your going to try and trade a knife with known issues because you don't want to deal with them. Classy.
 
There are a few possibilites. You could be getting a wire edge that breaks off immediately into use. You could be getting the blade hitting the handle. You could be getting corrosion eating the edge you gave it (carbon steel has this happen).

I would say stuff a little cork or rubber into the handle so there is a barrier for the blade, rub the edge on some wood after sharpening to break off a wire edge, and put a little Vaseline on the edge to make sure it isn't corrosion. If your edge is still getting dull, you are using the knife too hard or it is possessed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top