What are the BAD things to cut with a knife?

Those packing staples killed two of my edges before I finally learned to run a finger along the tape to check if they were there. I work in a shipping department at a turf equipment dealer during the summers and let me tell you, Smithco and Turfco now get at least thirty staples in every return shipment we send to them as revenge for the edge they each killed!

Other than that though, dirt, clay, sand, and earthy materials are hell on an edge.
 
Foam core poster board, went through three knives before twenty boards were cut, maybe 120 cuts.
 
Cardboard boxes are one already mentioned, that really surprises folks. We were moving in to a new lab, and had purchased all new fridges, freezers and ovens (60+ items). We began opening one morning, and had gone through countless razor blades (utility knives). Turns out the M2 steel in my Benchmade 730 CFHS made it through the whole day without a sharpening. IIRC, M2 was at about 64Rc. I was very impressed. It did need a sharpening, though.

Another item that I cringe any time I have to cut it is those plastic/fiber-glass packing straps on boxes of printing paper.
 
Daniel Dorn said:
Cardboard boxes are one already mentioned, that really surprises folks. We were moving in to a new lab, and had purchased all new fridges, freezers and ovens (60+ items). We began opening one morning, and had gone through countless razor blades (utility knives). Turns out the M2 steel in my Benchmade 730 CFHS made it through the whole day without a sharpening. IIRC, M2 was at about 64Rc. I was very impressed. It did need a sharpening, though.

Another item that I cringe any time I have to cut it is those plastic/fiber-glass packing straps on boxes of printing paper.
Click to expand...

I really should have mentioned those! Popping those straps is a pain like no other and even the hardest steels I have need a good sharpening after the day we get the stock order in. Between those plastic straps and the cardboard, any knife that can maintain a good edge after the stock order day has officially impressed me with its edge retention.
 
Strigamort said:
When I was new I was a little surprised to find that cardboard was so rough on an edge. I hear carpet is pretty bad.

A box of salt blocks chipped up my Native even though I never hit a block.

What have you found that kills an edge?
Click to expand...

Carpet is a nightmare. I did a removal for an ex-girlfriend and there was SO much sand in that carpet it was worse than cutting sandpaper. Seriously.

Downstairs is all tile. And I love it.
 
southernknives said:
Carpet is a nightmare. I did a removal for an ex-girlfriend and there was SO much sand in that carpet it was worse than cutting sandpaper. Seriously.

Downstairs is all tile. And I love it.
Click to expand...

I could not agree with this more. I have never tried cutting sandpaper but I renovated my unit last year including removing the 40 year old carpet. There was so much embedded dirt, sand and grit it just chewed through a Mora, a Byrd and a Bahco wrecking knife. They are all useable again now but I dont think they will ever be the same. Im glad I only used my cheap knives.
 
This thread ought to be combined with the various "does kydex scratch blades?" threads. Because clearly about 75% of you are just plain wrong, or hallucinating, or making this stuff up... "everyone knows" that a softer object can't possibly scratch or dull a harder one. Experts have told us so. ;)
 
I use my sog flash to open up peanut butter bottles and get that last bit stuck to the sides.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top