Geofabric eats blades

B

Brian_GG

Joined
Oct 3, 2020
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We use a lot of heavyweight non-woven geotextile fabric at work. Ex Mirafi 140N polypropylene fabric. Cutting it destroys blades.

I got tired of having to resharpen both my Black Blur and my leatherman, so I invested in a new ZT w 20cv blade.......First several cuts were like butter and everyone on the crew was amazed....1 week later it's dull already!

Has anyone used this type of geofabric before and been able to find a blade that doesn't wear out insanely fast?
 
Sounds like week of cutting that stuff should be considered pretty good. First recommendation, if you are intent on using a pocket knife (rather than a disposable blade cutter) would be to do more frequent touchups rather than wait until your knife is dull.
Second, while I like ZT, their heat treatment doesn't get the most out of 20CV. It's obviously better than what you were using; but - again, if you are intent on using a pocket knife - you might want to look at something like Spyderco's M4, Rex45, ZDP189 or Maxamet.
 
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Thanks for the response. My knife buddy, well, strongly pushed the Spyderco m4, so I'll be disappointed to show him this reply! Lol
 
M4 will still dull; and my first recommendation will still apply - better to touch up your edge frequently than to let it get dull. Moving into higher hardness, wear resistant steels, typically sacrifices ease of sharpening
 
From what I’ve read, Maxamet steel may be your best choice. It has very high wear resistance. I’ve got a Spyderco PM2 with it and have had good results with edge retention cutting cardboard. I’ve also read that several blades broke with lateral stress. I won’t use it as a normal work knife where there’s unintentional prying done.
 
Good to see someone is working for a living! I would say you are doing pretty well if the edge lasts a whole week. I had pretty good success with a '72 case muskrat, sharpening it 2x/day once on lunch and once at home. But eventually I gave up being a nerd and bought a big pack of utility blades like everyone else. If I was in the unfortunate position of having to cut that stuff again I'd consider a Mora or whatever cheap carbon blade and keep a diamond stone in my pocket but in my experience a stanley with 5 blades in the handle is a more practical solution, unless you actually enjoy sharpening.
 
The Aflac Duck said:
That stuff is terrible, dulls any blades you put to it. Use a utility knife, thin cheap blades just make way more sense.

~Construction work for over 7 years
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Yep, been in public works for 30-ish years now, and this stuff just plain calls for a replaceable blade solution.

On the plus side, there are many neat choices out there for a utility style knife. Find one that appeals to you.

Me, I like the Gerber EAB. It's cheap and handy, and uses standard utility blades.

Havalon makes some replaceable blade monsters too, but you'll pay for them.
 
What about a ceramic blade? If not for your own satisfaction, then at least to give us data about how long they'll hold an edge.
 
Brian_GG said:
Glad I posted here before I went and sold the ZT or bought something new! Very much appreciate all the info, but the best advice I think was stop being a nerd and buy a decent utility knife! Lol
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Maybe try some of those carbide blades in your new utility knife. They claim they stay sharp 5 to 10 times as long as a normal utility knife blade. I don't have a need to use a utility knife much anymore so I haven't tried them, But it seem to me they should work well.

O.B.
 
hhmoore said:
I thought (and still think) you knew that coming in to this. Some people just WANT to use their folders for things, even if it is the wrong tool for the job - figured you for one of them
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You are 100% correct. New toy had to put it thru the paces hoping for more than it could handle
 
Brian_GG said:
We use a lot of heavyweight non-woven geotextile fabric at work. Ex Mirafi 140N polypropylene fabric. Cutting it destroys blades.

I got tired of having to resharpen both my Black Blur and my leatherman, so I invested in a new ZT w 20cv blade.......First several cuts were like butter and everyone on the crew was amazed....1 week later it's dull already!

Has anyone used this type of geofabric before and been able to find a blade that doesn't wear out insanely fast?
Click to expand...

I use utility knives with a disposable blade and touch them up on a cheap pull through sharpener (faster than changing them) when I am cutting carpet, opening cement bags, etc. I save my good knives for cleaner stuff
 
Brian_GG said:
Glad I posted here before I went and sold the ZT or bought something new! Very much appreciate all the info, but the best advice I think was stop being a nerd and buy a decent utility knife! Lol
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Oh no no my friend... you can carry a utility knife and still nerd out aplenty. YouTube is full of EDC utility knife goodness. Here's some:

 
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