Cutting Soda Cans

J

Josh Feltman

Joined
Feb 12, 2001
Messages
4,501
Stupid newbie question: is cutting a soda can filled with water cleanly in half really a good test of sharpness for a large blade? Does it have more to do with blade thickness and geometry?
--Josh
 
Newbie you aren't, but it's still a stupid question to me...

:rolleyes: :D

WHY ON EARTH would you do that?!?
 
Really dull old kitchen butcher knife....one of the big old swept-back blade designs with a 8-10 inch blade and plenty of "swinging room" and I'll cut it cleanly into....ain't got a darned thing to do with sharpness or quality....it's all to do with physics and geometry:eek:
 
In my youth, I had been known to tie a can to a thin piece of rope about 12' long with a broken fishing pole on the other end. I would then fill the can with water and swing the can around and into the trunk of a big old oak in the yard. The bottom of the can would pop off a good portion of he time. MORAL of the story----you can cut a can in half with just aboout anything, even a 2' wide oak tree.
 
Here's the problem, even if that was a good indicator whether the knife was sharp or not, a slice through a can probably would have dealt damage on the knife and make it duller or worse.
 
It will likely ruin the edge, but I do not hesitate to cut small wires with my Delica, and it's ground down to 5 degrees! I wince every time I cut cans, though. Oh, and as this is awful for the edge, I carry an EZ-Lap diamond stone in my wallet and sharpen it whenever I have a chance, so it never goes dull.
 
The can is just soft metal, it is not hardened tool steel, so it is not a demanding task for the large bowies that are usually used, in the sense that extreme edge durability is required. In regards to what it takes, both sharpness and geometry are important as with any cutting. Yes you can beat the can apart if the knife is dull, which is why the requirement is usually that you cut the top half off and leave the bottom part upright. With enough skill and with the right blade you can leave out the water and still make the cut. It is often a part of the ABS cutting contests.

-Cliff
 
Next to last issue of BLADE (I think) had a picture of Jerry Fisk cutting 5 cans in one swipe.
 
Try cutting empty pop cans leaving the bottom of the can on the board. It's a challange.
 
See previous post, it's a challenge. Kind of like shooting holes in paper targets that you're not even going to eat.
 
When I was younger I would would slice the top off of a soda can almost everyday to use it as a spit-can (I used Skoal tobacco).
Mostly I would use my Victorinox Super-Tinker for the job.
I did'nt really dull the knife much at all and I only had to sharpen the knife about once a week.

BTW, I'm glad I don't dip snuff anymore (and so is my wife).

Good luck,
Allen.
 
Cutting cans is not the brightest thing you can do. My oldest knife is a Spyderco Endura with a G2 blade which is now about 13 years old. I once cut cans :eek: and I'm still living with scratches on the sides of the blade. The edge held up fine though.

Needless to say, I've learnt my lesson and don't do such foolsih things anymore :)
 
Those aren't scratches, they are character marks ;)

Can cutting tests: Sharp, Geometry, & Technique.
The cut is made with 1 stroke, the photo of Mr. Fisk cutting multiple cans (with the same stroke) is awesome!
 
Ebbtide is 100% right!
Scratches are like wrinkles and scars, there are stories behind them.
It's like the difference between the face of an old veteran Soldier and that of a young one fresh out of Basic Training.


Good luck,
Allen.
 
To the American Society Seeking Prevention of Can Cruelty and Cutting or ASSPCCC..........

I'm told that their humane investigators could show up at your doors most any day and present their pop-top credentials and demand entry and access to your refrigerator and/or other storage places for full cans....(aka: fucans)...The really scary part is that they can inspect your garbage, garage, back yard and even your impromptu "can decapitation range" for evidence of crimes against cans...(aka: cac's). They may even bring backhoes if they suspect a mass grave of decapitated cans...(aka: magodc)

Forewarned is forearmed....I suggest that you do the "right" thing and focus your efforts on dissecting/decapitating cute little poodles or family cats.....they don't seem to draw the fanatical attention that these "can-hugging" liberals do...:cool: :D :eek:
 
jimsbowies-- good point. At first I thought you were some kind of can lover until I finished reading your post. Personally, I don't worry about it too much. I have an informal "don't ask, don't tell" agreement with my local recycler. Those can huggers can look as hard as they want, but they'll never find any signs of CAC's on my property.
--Josh
 
Oh, heresy...no way.....just wanted to give these borderline criminals and scofflaws the chance to clean up their act....if caught, they could end up in the (okay............drum roll here.................................THE CAN :D
 
I was gunna join
CCA (Can Cutters Anonymous)
But they won't let me bring my knife to the meetings
:eek:
 
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