Why did I have to go back and hone my tenacious?

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initb2009

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Jul 7, 2009
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I've used it since June 26th and have only touched it up one time on the 40 degree side of the sharpmaker but I used it yesterday to mark cpvc conduit and to cut cable ties.I realize both were hard plastics but does anyone else have a problem with 8Cr13MoV loseing some of it's sharpness after moderate use? I went back and honed it on the corner/flats of the 40 degree side and it's back to where it was.
 
8Cr13 will loose its sharpness just like most other steels but it will do it faster because it has a lower wear resistance. Even better steels will be victim to damage from the things you are cutting because they are hard materials and a cutting edge is very thin. Most of the time damage occurs because of lateral stress on the edge that results in small chipping or rolling. Also if you did not remove the burr from the last sharpening it could effect edge retention.
 
Cutting into hard plastics always gives me a dull edge. I don't think that's uncommon.
 
initb2009 said:
I've used it since June 26th and have only touched it up one time on the 40 degree side of the sharpmaker but I used it yesterday to mark cpvc conduit and to cut cable ties.I realize both were hard plastics but does anyone else have a problem with 8Cr13MoV loseing some of it's sharpness after moderate use? I went back and honed it on the corner/flats of the 40 degree side and it's back to where it was.
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PVC and cable ties are hard. It helps that you were using the sharpmaker at 40°. (More steel to support the edge that way.) But those are still pretty hard materials to cut and will deform a blade edge pretty fast IMO. Note that I said "deform" not "wear".

To what other alloys are you comparing the 8Cr13MoV? In cutting media that cause wear (manila rope to be specific), I found that 8Cr13MoV retains an edge the same as AUS8, but less well than 440C, AUS10, VG10, or 154CM, or N690 if all are hardened to the same hardness. But I found that 8Cr13MoV does hold an edge better than Buck 420HC, Case Tru-Sharp, Case CV, and whatever alloy Gerber uses on the EZ-OUT (440A I have heard).

I am not sure how those other alloys would compare if the testing were done with PVC pipe as the media to be cut.
 
Plastic I recall someone posting about edge chips after cutting zip ties. Can how you cut the zip tie make a difference - if you slip the tip under it and pull it to cut, could the plastic compressing against the edge could cause some add'l wear/damage/chips?

Cutting hard plastic is pretty common task, & is a task where I prefer a polished edge & bevel.

With the given time frame it could be just normal wear - maybe try more frequent light touch-ups, and/or a few swipes on a loaded strop in between.

I have only cut veggies and meat with that steel so far, though. :)
 
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