VG 10 chipping.

N

Norwolf

Joined
Feb 10, 2010
Messages
23
Is VG 10 brittle and prone to chipping --or-- or are the factory edges brittle from the heat of the factory grind?

I would like to get a Fallkniven A1 but i would need it able to take some abuse.
 
Three questions: Have you had a VG-10 blade chip on you or a friend before? What were you doing with the knife at the time? What is your intended purpose for the A1? Sure wouldn't call VG-10 hard enough to be "brittle," but there are softer steels which would handle more long term abuse. OTOH, those other choices won't be as "stainless," and won't hold an edge as well.

I'm sure shortly one or more of the many metal experts on the forum will weigh in (and w/any luck, maybe a couple can get in an argument about it :D).
 
I don't think the steel is inherently chippy. The Fallkniven A1 has a robust convex grind. I don't think you'll chip it unless you try chopping rocks.
 
The only incidents of chipping of VG10 that I've seen are in a couple youtube reviews of a couple Fallkniven blades. In these reviews the individual doing ther review folishly batonned the bleds through the wood being split INTO THE ROCK ON THE BOTTOM OF A STREAM BED.

I have a Fallkniven F1 which I recieved in a trade. I have batonned it though it is a bit small for that purpose. Plus used it for every possible use I can think of for a blade of it's size. Not only has it never chipped, but it has held an edge well and sharpens very easily.

I have never been a fan of stainless steels mostly due to the terrible quality of edge they take (in general). However this knife has caused mne to rethink my previously held views.

I would have no problems with buying a VG10 blade. I wouldn't worry about chipping at all unless you seriously abuse the blade. And that would be your fault not the steels.
 
I have used Fallkniven's VG10, 3G (SGPS), and Cowry X steels for a wide variety of tasks, including batoning.

I have found they all have a tendency to micro chip a bit on the factory edge, but after I have sharpened them a few times the chipping goes away.

Even my Fallkniven and Hiro VG10 kitchen knives micro chipped a bit until they had been sharpened a few times, now they are fine. (no tough use on these knives)

I have had similar experiences with other knives as well, except sometimes rolling instead of chipping. My experience often is, regardless of steel or manufacture, that the edges improve after a few sharpenings.

Others MMV.

Kevin

PS My Fallkniven A2 and BRKT Bravo 2 are my go to batoning / chopping knives. You have no worrys that the A1 will withstand hard use. :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
the only vg10 i've used recently is on the spydie enduras & the sog spec elite. both have hit light metal cutting honeysuckle & some cardboard in the garage. i've experienced no chipping & like the fine edge i can achive when sharpening.dennis
 
I've accidentally hit my VG-10 blades onto steel bars multiple times and it resulted in a rolled edged every time. VG-10 is notorious for rolling rather than chipping. Fantastic all around, high value steel.
 
Dag-nabit, has a good point. I too have had problems with some knives all of which were good brands.I had the tip of a VG-10 break off with almost 0 force !! In each case, with various steels, after resharpening the blade was fine ! I can only conclude it was caused by grinding damage. This is easy to do as the grinding operation always creates heat especially at the tip.
 
Norwolf said:
Is VG 10 brittle and prone to chipping --or-- or are the factory edges brittle from the heat of the factory grind?

I would like to get a Fallkniven A1 but i would need it able to take some abuse.
Click to expand...

VG10 is no more prone to chipping than any other 1% carbon stainless steel such as 440C or 154CM.

How much "abuse" are you talking here? Define "abuse".

Laminated VG10 is quite a bit tougher than straight VG10. If I were going to "abuse" a Fallkniven, I'd likely opt for the laminated steel.
 
My VG-10 rolls. It's easy to sharpen it back up. ZDP-189, on the other hand, tends to microchip out, and that makes it take a lot longer to sharpen.

I don't think you have to worry about VG-10 chipping.
 
the only reports i've heard of Fallkniven laminated VG-10 chipping are from people using their knives for a task that is better suited to a Mattock (eg: trying to chop out the root of a tree in frozen ground was one i heard about).

so long as your not trying to smash through rocks, you should be fine.

i've also heard about the micro-chipping issue with new Fallkniven VG-10 blades. everything i've read or heard tells me the problem will go away after a couple of sharpens.

i can't wait for my S1 to get here (hopefully before the weekend).

Dag-nabit said:
I have used Fallkniven's VG10, 3G (SGPS), and Cowry X steels for a wide variety of tasks, including batoning.
Click to expand...

iirc, there's only on Fallkniven currently available using Cowry X. that's one expensive lump of steel.

how is it in general use?
 
sambo. said:
the only reports i've heard of Fallkniven laminated VG-10 chipping are from people using their knives for a task that is better suited to a Mattock (eg: trying to chop out the root of a tree in frozen ground was one i heard about).

so long as your not trying to smash through rocks, you should be fine.

i've also heard about the micro-chipping issue with new Fallkniven VG-10 blades. everything i've read or heard tells me the problem will go away after a couple of sharpens.

i can't wait for my S1 to get here (hopefully before the weekend).



iirc, there's only on Fallkniven currently available using Cowry X. that's one expensive lump of steel.

how is it in general use?
Click to expand...

I believe you are correct, the HK9 is the only current model available in Cowry X. The NL5 Idun was previously available in Cowry X and that is the Fallkniven I am currently trying out as a user. The NL5cx may still be available at some vendors, but it was a limited run.

It is a fairly recent addition to my rotation. Since it is one knife among many, it doesn't get used all the time, so I'm not yet able to say if it it leaps and bounds better than other steels, or if it is worth the premium paid.

I can say it is a heck of a nice knife and I'm impressed with it so far. I am slowly updating my experience with the knife over on the Fallkniven Forum if anyone is interested. http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/862410/

Kevin
 
wildmike said:
The only incidents of chipping of VG10 that I've seen are in a couple youtube reviews of a couple Fallkniven blades. In these reviews the individual doing ther review folishly batonned the bleds through the wood being split INTO THE ROCK ON THE BOTTOM OF A STREAM BED..
Click to expand...

Give that man a cigar! :thumbup:

One random goofball on YouTube chips a Fallkniven while chopping a rock, blames the steel on his knife, and everybody thinks Fallkniven's VG10 Laminate is prone to chipping.

I cannot understand for the life of me, why, if someone puts something on YouTube, people automatically assume that person knows what they are talking about. Incomprehensible.
 
DennisStrickland said:
the only vg10 i've used recently is on the spydie enduras & the sog spec elite. both have hit light metal cutting honeysuckle & some cardboard in the garage. i've experienced no chipping & like the fine edge i can achive when sharpening.dennis
Click to expand...

I have had the same experience with VG-10. :thumbup:
 
I was doing a site visit for work the other week when I ended up being stuck in a bathroom when the handle broke off. I was able to get out by using my Native 3 to turn the door knob spindle but it ended up taking a small chip out of the edge.

PM-IMG00040-20100721-1937.jpg
 
Blade Edge said:
I was doing a site visit for work the other week when I ended up being stuck in a bathroom when the handle broke off. I was able to get out by using my Native 3 to turn the door knob spindle but it ended up taking a small chip out of the edge.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call that normal use.

I carry a micra, SAK Classic, or some other such item that has a screwdriver on it for such eventualities and save my cutting knife for cutting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top