Which materials should you not cut with a knife in order to preserve the edge ?

H

HorseloverFat

Joined
Apr 11, 2014
Messages
451
Thoughts please ?

I've noticed reviewers using knives to cut hard plastic bottles and such in videos. Which materials do you think that are best left alone in order to preserve the longevity of a knife and the edge ? Hardwoods and thicker plastics ? This would leave paper products such as cardboard and thinner plastic for cutting . And perhaps softwoods.

I apologize for the dumb question. But I'm wondering what your thoughts are with regard to ideal cutting materials for a knife ? Thanks in advance ...
 
I would turn the question around, and ask what knife material is best for what I will be cutting?

Obviously cinder blocks and concrete are best left to hammers.

I have found that edge geometry and proper heat treat are much more important than steel chemistry when it comes to cutting performance and edge retention.

There is nothing wrong with carrying more than one tool, if you anticipate doing more than one job, either.
Many people here routinely carry three or more, and switch out during the day, in anticipation of different activities, and different social settings, where their cutting needs will be different.
 
I guess I don't understand the question? Why would you worry about preserving the edge?

I cut whatever needs cutting then sharpen when it gets dull.
 
By no means an expert. I find paper, plastic, most wood, cloth, and food to be relatively easy on an edge. On the other hand cardboard, reinforced materials (plastic or ruber), soft metals, contaminated wood to be harsh on an edge.

I tend to stay away from cutting cardboard when possible and use the awl on my knife for things like opening packages. If working with wood try to stay away from pieces that have soil on or imbedded in them. Silicates in the soil can be murderous on and edge. Keep your knife away from soil in general. And if cutting on a suface like a cutting board make sure it is softer than your blade such as wood or plastic rather than glass or marble. Other than that common sense should keep you covered.
 
Todd21969 said:
I guess I don't understand the question? Why would you worry about preserving the edge?

I cut whatever needs cutting then sharpen when it gets dull.
Click to expand...

This is a commonsensical reply. However, my question is for those of us that wish to get the cutting task done on the one hand and to preserve the edge and therefore avoid sharpening on the other. I neither own a sharpener at the moment nor do I know how to sharpen a knife. I guess this is a good time to learn ... :o
 
Shorttime said:
I would turn the question around, and ask what knife material is best for what I will be cutting?

Obviously cinder blocks and concrete are best left to hammers.

I have found that edge geometry and proper heat treat are much more important than steel chemistry when it comes to cutting performance and edge retention.

There is nothing wrong with carrying more than one tool, if you anticipate doing more than one job, either.
Many people here routinely carry three or more, and switch out during the day, in anticipation of different activities, and different social settings, where their cutting needs will be different.
Click to expand...

I flipped the question because I've watched several knife reviews where the reviewer was subjecting the edge to extremes, but then again, I guess that they forget to EDC a jackhammer. Carrying several tools makes sense. Thanks for responding. :thumbup:
 
Hacked said:
By no means an expert. I find paper, plastic, most wood, cloth, and food to be relatively easy on an edge. On the other hand cardboard, reinforced materials (plastic or ruber), soft metals, contaminated wood to be harsh on an edge.

I tend to stay away from cutting cardboard when possible and use the awl on my knife for things like opening packages. If working with wood try to stay away from pieces that have soil on or imbedded in them. Silicates in the soil can be murderous on and edge. Keep your knife away from soil in general. And if cutting on a suface like a cutting board make sure it is softer than your blade such as wood or plastic rather than glass or marble. Other than that common sense should keep you covered.
Click to expand...


Thanks for responding. How is life in Portsmouth? I was stationed on Craney Island many years ago.
 
Hacked said:
If working with wood try to stay away from pieces that have soil on or imbedded in them. Silicates in the soil can be murderous on and edge. Keep your knife away from soil in general.
Click to expand...

This ^

I've made 'sharpening sticks' using wood covered with crushed river rock or sand or whatever else was available.

I wouldn't worry a bit about cutting hard plastic or cardboard, if the blade gets dull it just needs to be sharpened, which is fun.
 
Spyderco Sharpmaker for maintenance. Edge Pro or Wicked Edge if you want to get into heavy stuff. You are about to enter a new world of knife enjoyment. :)
 
HorseloverFat said:
This is a commonsensical reply. However, my question is for those of us that wish to get the cutting task done on the one hand and to preserve the edge and therefore avoid sharpening on the other. I neither own a sharpener at the moment nor do I know how to sharpen a knife. I guess this is a good time to learn ... :o
Click to expand...

All steels dull. Cut enough jello and your blade will dull.

You cannot cut things AND preserve the edge. You only get one or the other. Its reality, materials science, geometry, and physics.
 
My honest suggestion is learn how to sharpen or be prepaired to pay to have it done for you.

As far as what to materials to avoid; perhaps cardboard.
 
Try to avoid cutting electrical wires and cables....common sense.
There are better tools for that.
You may chip your blade if you do something like that, but that's why God created the Art of Sharpening.
No big deal either way...even the knife is JUST a tool...
:)
 
HorseloverFat said:
This is a commonsensical reply. However, my question is for those of us that wish to get the cutting task done on the one hand and to preserve the edge and therefore avoid sharpening on the other. I neither own a sharpener at the moment nor do I know how to sharpen a knife. I guess this is a good time to learn ... :o
Click to expand...

Huh, I do think that that's an a** backward way of looking at cutting tasks. IMHO, it would be best to tailor my tools to my tasks. I'd study what tasks I need to do and base my decision on the choice of tool to purchase from the tasks it needs to do.

marcinek said:
You could cut air while making "whah wu-shahhh!" noises. :D
Click to expand...

Darn you Marc! :D:D
 
I can say from experience that attempting to fell a sequoia in a single swipe of a ZDP-189 Spyderco Dragonfly 2 is not good for edge (or knife) retention...
 
Maybe the question was just worded poorly? To me it's really important on knowing what to avoid that will dull the knife faster or what could damage the edge. i.e. Cutting up a vegetable on a wood cutting board:thumbup:. Cutting a vegetable on a ceramic plate:thumbdn:.

First off. Your knife will get dull. It just does. If you learn how to freehand sharpen you don't have to worry as much on your knife getting dull because most of this list I'm going to list can actually be used to sharpen the knife as well. Freehand is freeing.

Things to avoid is mostly stuff harder then your knife edge. Most of these will cause edge damage as well as dulling. This is not an all inclusive list but it's a start;
rocks
sand
dirt in general
ceramic
glass
other metal(even aluminum cans) My Swamp Rat M6 took edge damage from a soda can.
twisted or knotty grain in wood
cardboard
wire
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top