Balancing cutting tasks and edge retention? Or would should I not cut with my knife ?

[HorserloverFat]

I'm seeking advice as to what I should avoid cutting so that my knife edge isn't damaged ? What is it safe to cut ? Paper products and softwoods that don't damage the edge ? What is not safe to cut ? Hardwoods and thick plastic ? I basically want to cut things that a knife such as the Manix 2/Manx 2 XL was designed for so that the edge does not become damaged and/or require frequent sharpening. I see knife reviewers cutting all kinds of things such as aluminum cans and such. However, I don't think that this is a good idea with regard to the blade edge.

Thanks in advance !

[bearfacedkiller]

Damage and dulling are different. Damage will depend on the grind and the thickness of the edge. Some knives can open a can of beans and some can't. Staples in cardboard and other unknown foreign objects can really catch you off guard and damage an edge as well. As far as edge retention goes cardboard and dinner plates dull my edges the most. I keep a box cutter by my recycling bin for bigger jobs to save me the resharpening time.

[bearfacedkiller]

Sometimes I will cut my steak in half and put one half on top of the other so I can cut the top piece without touching the plate. This is at restaurants. I have a wooden plate for when I eat steak at home so I'm good there. I use my s110v mule to eat steak at home quite often. :-)

[tvenuto]

If you need to cut it, you should cut it. If you just want to cut it, then maybe try and cut it. If it damaged your edge, either examine why you wanted to cut it, or what caused the damage. At that point, either decide to avoid cutting it in the future, or modify your tool to avoid it being damaged.

I feel like the kind of decision-making in knife use follows the same general trend as many life decisions. Perhaps look back to lessons from your childhood to answer this quandary? I could suggest some good parables if needed.

To maximize time between sharpening, absolutely do not even open the folding knife.

[chuck_roxas45]

If you need to cut it, you should cut it. If you just want to cut it, then maybe try and cut it. If it damaged your edge, either examine why you wanted to cut it, or what caused the damage. At that point, either decide to avoid cutting it in the future, or modify your tool to avoid it being damaged.

I feel like the kind of decision-making in knife use follows the same general trend as many life decisions. Perhaps look back to lessons from your childhood to answer this quandary? I could suggest some good parables if needed.

To maximize time between sharpening, absolutely do not even open the folding knife.

Well said!

Especially the bolded part. :D

[FDE]

Ha! Yep that about covers it.

[Surfingringo]

If you need to cut it, you should cut it. If you just want to cut it, then maybe try and cut it. If it damaged your edge, either examine why you wanted to cut it, or what caused the damage. At that point, either decide to avoid cutting it in the future, or modify your tool to avoid it being damaged.

I feel like the kind of decision-making in knife use follows the same general trend as many life decisions. Perhaps look back to lessons from your childhood to answer this quandary? I could suggest some good parables if needed.

To maximize time between sharpening, absolutely do not even open the folding knife.

Well said!

Especially the bolded part. :D

Yes, this is a great technique to maximize edge retention. Helps prevent getting those annoying fingerprints all over the blade too! Also, pocket carry should be avoided at all cost as this can wear down the grip of the handle material in a matter of mere years! In general, even light fondling should really be limited to no more than 20-30 minutes per week.



-we are just having fun with you HLF.

[Jazz]

You cut what you want to cut. If you think it's a bad thing to cut - don't.

[GoldenSpydie]

Here is what I cut with my Manix XL (shaving sharp before and afterwards).

[arty]

It is a personal call. I like heavier duty blades and more obtuse edge angles for tougher cutting chores. I use carbon steel blades for chopping small trees. Stainless steels can do just abut anything you want, but I don't use them for cutting open cans. I use a can opener for that.
Lots of people use their knives for cutting cardboard, but I'd rather use a box cutter - it is easier and blades are just single edge razors.
When I can, I use shears for zip ties. A knife blade can cut them, but I'd rather not spend the sharpening time.
I do use a knife sometimes when I want to strip wire, but I'd rather use a wire stripper.
It is your call, but knives can certainly carve wood. Just adjust the edge angle for your needs. I wouldn't chop down a tree with a stainless blade, and I prefer to use the right tool for the job, when it is available.

[Evil D]

Carry two knives. One is your main EDC, the other is a less expensive beater that you don't mind doing dirty work with and/or handing over to someone who asks to borrow a knife.

[Cujobob]

A knife is a tool, use it as such. If you have a better tool around to take care of a job, use that one. If not, use what is on you.

I use my S110V mule for cardboard around the house. I use pocket knives for whatever comes at me throughout the day. If you don't let a blade get too dull, shouldn't take much time to re sharpen. Perhaps also consider your sharpening method and whether you can find one that is easier for you.

[JNewell]

Knives are meant to cut and meant to be sharpened...use it with just a bit of common sense and you will be fine. On the other hand, if you never cut anything, you will have the world's most invincible edge retention. :p

[gaj999]

Sheetrock and asphalt shingles both seem to dull my knives pretty fast ...

Gordon

[Joris Mo]

Cut everything you need to and find out along the way if it works and wether your knife can deal with it.. Good way to find out what your knife can handle and wether your need something more or less hard use.
It also helps to carry a Swiss Army knife, the can opener/screwdriver and the like can save your blade a lot of trouble.
(and it's also a decent backup blade)

[danospydermano]

I see knife reviewers cutting all kinds of things such as aluminum cans and such.

It's been my observation that Video Knife Reviewers will try almost anything to push the limits of a knife or destroy a blade so the general public will know how tough (or weak) the tool is. I have a Bushcraft UK that will cut it's way through a bunch of kindling and still slice a tomato. It may need to be stropped occasionally before it cuts said vegi-fruit, but my edge is still in tact.

:spyder: I would say you may want to avoid bricks, concrete blocks and steel girders. Other than that...cut away! :spyder:

[jackknifeh]

The thing I hate most about knives is not using them. If a particular material is just going to dull the edge I'll use the knife and not worry about edge retention. If the material might do more damage than just dulling the edge I might not use the knife if all I have on me are knives that are valuable to me.

This is where knife sharpening becomes a more important issue. It's important to become at least fairly proficient at sharpening a knife. If your daily cutting will dull your knife during the day you should carry a small sharpener with you. I have a DMT credit card size sharpener in my wallet. This is my absolute favorite portable sharpener because it is ABSOLUTELY invisible to me until I need it. Granted I've only used it a couple of times and I didn't really need to then. That's because I don't work any more and my cutting needs are very low. But, when I did work I used a knife enough that it frequently needed a touch up during the day. Then again back then I was using about any 10 or 20 dollar knife I happened to buy last. The blade steels Spyderco uses have better edge retention than the knives I used to use but still, the "never dull" steel hasn't been invented yet. :) The Spyderco double-stuff is a great tool but it won't fit in my wallet. :) If someone frequently uses their EDC knife enough to get dull during the day a portable sharpener that will QUICKLY touch up a knife is essential IMO. The fine grit DMT sharpener in my wallet will very quickly re-sharpen my EDC knives. Since you have a sharpener on you it's easier to keep the edge sharp and not let it get so dull re-sharpening becomes more time consuming.

Carry the knives you love. Use the knives you love. Re-sharpen the knives you love.

[Surfingringo]

The thing I hate most about knives is not using them. If a particular material is just going to dull the edge I'll use the knife and not worry about edge retention. If the material might do more damage than just dulling the edge I might not use the knife if all I have on me are knives that are valuable to me.

This is where knife sharpening becomes a more important issue. It's important to become at least fairly proficient at sharpening a knife. If your daily cutting will dull your knife during the day you should carry a small sharpener with you. I have a DMT credit card size sharpener in my wallet. This is my absolute favorite portable sharpener because it is ABSOLUTELY invisible to me until I need it. Granted I've only used it a couple of times and I didn't really need to then. That's because I don't work any more and my cutting needs are very low. But, when I did work I used a knife enough that it frequently needed a touch up during the day. Then again back then I was using about any 10 or 20 dollar knife I happened to buy last. The blade steels Spyderco uses have better edge retention than the knives I used to use but still, the "never dull" steel hasn't been invented yet. :) The Spyderco double-stuff is a great tool but it won't fit in my wallet. :) If someone frequently uses their EDC knife enough to get dull during the day a portable sharpener that will QUICKLY touch up a knife is essential IMO. The fine grit DMT sharpener in my wallet will very quickly re-sharpen my EDC knives. Since you have a sharpener on you it's easier to keep the edge sharp and not let it get so dull re-sharpening becomes more time consuming.

Carry the knives you love. Use the knives you love. Re-sharpen the knives you love.

What Jack says. ^

As far as sharpening, I do most of mine on the sharpmaker but I have a couple of DMT diafolds that are great for portability. Leave one in the glovebox or backpack or even your pocket if you think you will need it. Not as compact as the credit card sized one Jack uses but easier to work with. However, if you want a way to have one on you at all times without thinking about it the credit card sized one is indeed the best option.

[Ankerson]

As others have already posted doing fast touch ups would be the best method rather than letting the knife get dull and having to take it to the stones.

Personally I have gone for a very, very long time just doing quick touch ups with steels like S30V using them every day cutting cardboard and other assorted things like shrink wrap and pallet straps. Went over a year once with S30V before I had to refresh the edge, and was actually using it every day.

Ceramics are wonderful tools for doing this, just a pass or two on each side or so typically and it's right back to screaming sharp.

Experiences may vary depending on how and what people actually do with their knives and the actual steel etc.

I usually touch up when the edge starts to lose bite.

[SpydyLover123]

You can not be afraid to use your working knives. Just use it and touch it up as needed.