What knife do you have that had the worst factory edge?

retzius

retzius

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Sep 17, 2009
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I was given a Gerber "Zombie Apocalypse Kit" by a relative for Xmas and I finally decided to go through the blades last night and check out the quality (no, I didn't ask for this kit but it was a nice gesture).

I started with the Gerber LMF II Infantry that is included and immediately noticed that the edge was so dull I could push down hard over my finger tips and not even feel it begin to cut. I tried some paper and it wouldn't cut... at all.. not even tear the paper.

I tried to put it on the Sharpmaker but the edge was too obtuse and all it did was polish the shoulder. The LMF II has a built in carbide sharpener that troops are supposed to be able to use in the field so I figured I would give it a shot. Nothing... I checked it out and noticed that the edge was ground so obtuse that the included sharpener did nothing except polish the shoulder as well.

NOTE: Gerber, if you intend this to be a military knife and you are sending it out to the troops at least give them a product that they can use. If I was in the field and you sent me a dull knife and the included sharpener was useless because you ground the knife so poorly I would be pretty pissed. (rant over)

I put the edge on the Edge-Pro and the plain edge portion of the blade was over 30 degrees per side (60 degrees inclusive) and it had a giant burr folded over to one side. WTF... was this the last blade ground on the Friday before Christmas vacation. In addition to the poor grinding, the overall geometry of the knife is such that it just doesn't cut very well. The knife is flat ground but it doesn't even start until half way down the blade. I am sure Gerber's intention was to make a durable knife that would be hard to break (i.e. a sharpened pry bar) but this was absurd. Its not really a knife anymore if it can't cut...

I spent the next hour reprofiling the edge down to 18 degrees per side to thin out the primary edge and then I added a secondary edge of 22 degrees per side to give it some durability and it would finally cut like a knife is supposed to.

I have gotten a knife with a bad grind before but this is the worst so far. I didn't even get to check the other knives in the 'Apocalypse Kit' but I sure as hell wouldn't have wanted to rely on this knife in any kind of emergency situation.

What about you?
 
Boker Outdoor I. Completely blunt when received.
Edit: This is the knife that taught me not to buy cheap knives.
 
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I had a white sprint run Endura that came as dull as you described. I traded it at a gun show for a sprint blue zdp Delica.
 
I have about 12 Spyderco's, six Kershaw's, and a few Sanrenmu's as well, and they all shaved hair new. At that point of sharpness, it is hard to distinguish which was the worst, I was satisfied with all of them. My wife did buy me a Gerber Mini-Paraframe (she knows better now), I bet it was dull, I never used it. I noticed it did have nice standoffs, and I stole those for another knife.
 
ZT 561 Came to me duller than a butter knife, and yes it was brand new from a dealer.
 
Im sorry to say it has been my 2 Kabars. I have a USMC model, and a dozier fixed blade and they both came as dull as dull can be. I took care of the issue with my lansky and they are both shaving sharp now. I was disappointed though because of the wonderful reputation that the company has.
 
Boker Miltner Adams. Dull as a butter knife and hard to sharpen due to its thick steel at the edge.
 
Benchmade Mini-Nitrous Stryker, couldn't have cut its way out of its own packaging. Thinned the edge out to around 30 degrees with a 40 micro-bevel and that set it straight. Have had some Case's show up less than impressive but they're soft enough to be a joy to sharpen.
 
I've had 3 Ranger (not Ontario versions) knives that all came as sharp as a butter knife. Wasn't that big of a deal since I always put my own edge on knives I plan to use, but I was surprised at what Justin was willing to let out-the-door in order to fill orders.
 
I had a Northfield Jack, both blades pretty dull. I know it's not a knife, but I bought a Martindale Golok and I'm glad I have a belt sander. Several Queen knives were dull.
 
Imacasa machetes. They literally come completely dull with just a coarse grind to give you a head start on filing or grinding it yourself. Well worth the effort to get 'em where you want them, but definitely the least-sharp factory edge I've experienced. :D
 
Timberline Lightfoot Mini Pitbull, great little knife but I have knives where the spine was sharper
 
Gerber LMF II. The serrations are nice and sharp but the fine edge part was pretty dull and I cannot for the life of me get it sharp. Glock M78 OD Green Field Knife. Very dull. Got some sort of edge on it with sandpaper and mousepad convex. It is my loaner knife. I loan that to people who go canoeing or camping or whatever. I know they can't break it. Glock already ruined it. And I just say it cost me $45 new so that's what you'd owe me if you loose it. Everybody wins. The non-knife guys think it's cool as hell.
 
A few low end CRKT knives I'd have owned over the years have been very dull and had sloppy grinds on them. Ive had a few Mid-Techs and customs also come with OK edges on them but not what I call sharp. The best factory edge I've seen was on my Houge EX-01 that knife had a hair popping polished edge out of the box. I does not bother me much since I use sharping as a form of relaxation and a way to wind down. I enjoy putting the proper edge on a knife for the task I will use it for.
 
Cold Steel Kukri Machete, the edge was painted over which didn't help, took quite a bit of time with course sandpaper to get the bevels set and the paint taken off the cutting edge. The spine was probably sharper then the edge when I first got it.
 
The least sharp factory edge I have ever received, was a Benchmade 710-1, which wouldn't shave. Fortunately, the M390 steel is a dream to sharpen.
 
Benchmade Griptillian, the first "nice" knife I ever bought was missing the secondary bevel completely.
 
I've had knives from many brands that have been dull; nothing has really stood out as being completely abysmal though.

My $12 kershaw tremor was almost hair whittling right outta the clamshell. :D:cool:
 
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