VG-10 Question

[delkhouri]

I have read a fair amount on this forum about spyderco's use of VG-10 and from everything i have read many of you love it and rate it better then the likes of 440c/154cm/ats-34. I have a spyderco Navigator with blue slotted almite handles and it has VG-10 steel not gin-1. I cant keep this thing sharp to save my life. It dulls very quickly, chips easily, and usually isnt worth the paper im trying to cut with it. I have knives in the above mentioned steels and they all EASILY out perform my navigator. Is this a rare situation? Is it the grind on the navigator? This experience is my only with VG-10 and it has left such a sour taste in my mouth that i havent bought other spydercos with vg-10 because of it.

[DRod]

Hmm. Ive found it to be quite resilient compared to some others. I don't quite think I know what could cause your problem with it. Sorry I don't have an answer for you, but I am happy with my VG-10 blades.

[The Deacon]

I would say yes, it is a rare situation. Sounds like the blade on your Navigator was not heat-treated properly, or that a previous owner did something to it which ruined the heat-treat. VG-10 should easily outperform 440C, and most folks find that it outperforms ATS-34 / 154CM as well.

[The Deacon]

I would say yes, it is a rare situation. Sounds like the blade on your Navigator was not heat-treated properly, or that a previous owner did something to it which ruined the heat-treat. VG-10 should easily outperform 440C, and most folks find that it outperforms ATS-34 / 154CM as well.

[cobrajoe]

In my experience, I've never seen VG-10 chipping, it would sooner roll, and it takes fairly serious cutting to accomplish this.

Sorry to hear that your navigator dosent live up to expectations, but it sounds like something is amiss.

[Tom v S]

I really like VG 10. I have knives in ats 34 (154 CM), 440 C and AUS 8 but VG10 is better in every way.

You could check if the heat thread on this knife is correct. Use a file to see if it bites the steel (edge of it). Normally it will not grab in the steel, but if the steel is soft you can see the file marks on it.

Maybe it is better to send your knife to :spyder: so they can have a look at it.

Tom :)

[JD Spydo]

I tend to agree with the other guys on this one. VG-10 should not in any way have the problems you are having with it. The dozen or so USERs I have which have VG-10 blade steel are all performing great for me when I use them. Spyderco really prides itself in having superb blade steel which was one of the main reasons I really gravitated to their products.

I personally urge you to send the knife back to Spyderco and explain to them in a letter or over the phone what the problem is. I am very confident that they will remediate the problem. Good Luck

[dialex]

Indeed this is an odd story. VG-10 is one fine steel and it shouldn't show the symptoms you described. I second the advice to send it to Spyderco for a thoroughly examination.

[delkhouri]

wow guys thanks for all the responses. Well to answer some questions: I am the original owner of this knife and i will tell you that i probably exagerated some by saying that 440c outperforms it but not at all by saying 154cm/ats34 does. I have a friend who has one and his exhibited some of the same problems of dulling quickly and chipping. I dont mean big chips just little ones. Does anyone else have this model of navigator and have any issues or praises. I noticed on the new ss nav's they use a different grind so i think it has more to do with the fat edge then anything else.

[dedguy]

Awhile back I was cutting some heavy cardboard at my old job with my VG-10 Harpy. It took less force than I was expecting and with the full force of my downward stroke slammed the tip of the blade into concrete. I freaked out but upon examing the blade the tip was mostly not just dull. No chipping or rolling. I sent it back to spyderco and it came back like new... well except for the handle that looks like it was chewed on by a iron dog.

[Chris_H]

I've found VG-10 to dull fairly fast for my preference, but the chipping shouldn't be occurring. Did you re-profile it? Like others said, the edge should be rolling before chipping.

[chux]

My first few experiences with VG-10 were not positive as about every one I used chipped easily and was a real mission to get an edge with, I can remember having real problems with a delica and a native 3. In fact I gave up trying to get an edge on the delica at all. Since then I have had an OD PS Delica and a Delica 4 in vg-10 and both have performed admirably - great edge holding, easy to sharpen and no chips so far

[SpydercoKnut]

I am a 154 cm lover and to say it way outpeforms it is bogus. But in regards to your situation, a scary sharp knife put to hard use may chip due to the thinness of the blade but you can get rid of those small chips on the sharpmaker or a good sharpening system. If that does not work then you make just have a bad blade!!

:spyder:

[naggalowmo]

I don't mean to question your sharpening abilities, but maybe you arent cutting off the burr when you sharpen? That could definitely lead to the problems you are having.

I've never had any problems with my vg-10 knives and they were MUCH easier to not only sharpen but to cut the burrs from the edge then s30v. Good luck with your problem and hopefully your next experience will be better because vg-10 is truely a very good steel. Much better IMHO then s30v. :)

[Spydiman]

I had problems with a LOT of steels, (sharpening with benchstones, Lansky, and the like) until I got a sharpmaker. Everything got a lot easier. :cool:

[delkhouri]

you guys all have every right to question my sharpening skills. I fully intend to get a sharpmaked but until then ive been usuing DMT stones both the fine and ultra fine kinds. I would probably agree with you about the burrs but how could my sharpening skill only affect the vg-10 steel and not the others?

[delkhouri]

Also i can get all the steels ive tried hair shaving sharp with my DMT its just that the VG10 looks at paper and dulls. The chipping has occored cutting 1/4" - 1/2" thick rubber. i didnt hit cement metal or anything else. My friend chipped the Crap out of his Nav but he was cutting up some shingles so that makes sense.

[JBE]

I've chipped the edges of my E4 cutting shingles but a little work on the Sharpmaker followed by a good stropping solved that problem. I've carried an E4 for over a year and never had any problems with rolling or chipping (except the above scenario) for that matter. I would tend to think the problem could be one of three things: a wire edge, too thin of an angle on the bevel or bad heat treatment. That Vg10 shouldn't be chipping with normal, everyday usage.

[druid]

I just have two more thoughts, one is there any possibility that you got a knockoff, a good copy of a spyderco but with an inferior steel, if it has a steeper than usual angle this might be a indication. Also for me the most important factor in whether I can get something sharp is the angle if it is 30° like most spyderco's if not all it is fairly easy, I however have a ***** of a time getting anything with a steeper angle to get what I would call sharp and stay that way. Separate question I wonder if there's any chance, that this deal is actually gin 1 that was somehow mismarked I'm not sure if that's even possible, thy probably take a lot of care about that type of thing.
This thread disturbs me not a little bit because I have a lot of knive in vg-10 have kind of settled on it as my steel of choice considering price point and handle material usually offered. it functions fine for me and I hate to think I'm missing out. I have some other steals but with my used to sharpening ratio the difference is pretty negligible.

[Th232]

I just have two more thoughts, one is there any possibility that you got a knockoff, a good copy of a spyderco but with an inferior steel, if it has a steeper than usual angle this might be a indication.

Good point there. Got pics of the knife Del?