Question...I made a whoops.

[jasonp1]

Hopefully someone knows an answer to this...
So I work for large Agency whose job it is to prevent the illegal entry of people into this country, narc smugglers, et al.. A couple of days ago, we tracked a narcotics load across several miles of S. Texas Ranch land. The guy was riding an ATV crashing through fences, cutting them, cutting chains on gates, etc. After about 20 miles or so of tracking, we find where he had abandoned the ATV, a Polaris 400. When we found it, the thing was very hot and was obviously stolen due to the wires being ripped out. The problem was, he had abandoned it in some thick brush and due to the heat, we needed to get it out of there before it caused a fire. The only metal item on me that was long enough to ground the contacts and hot wire the ATV to start it was my new Spyderco Endura 4 (VG-10 steel). In the process of starting it, I get the old popping sparks and some tack weld marks on my blade (not happy). Well it was powerful enough that the burn spots are visible on the opposite side of the blade. I don't mind the ugly marks since it’s a work knife but does it affect the integrity/strength of the blade? Anyone?
This is the side that made contact..

as you can see, the burns went right through...

:mad:

[bada61265]

its possible that some of the temper was lost inside the area thats changed color. personally id use it and see if its an issue in normal use. cant hurt to use it, if it has a problem then it will show in use if not you just keep on using it. theres no warrenty issue and a total re heat treat probubly isnt worth the price of a single knife.

[tonydahose]

well i am sure the heat treat of the blade right there is probably messed up but the rest of the blade should be ok. i had a tasman that i used to cut some power wires to a car seat when we were extricating a guy out of his car. a few of the small serrations burned right off but i used the knife for a few more years and it is still in use today after i gifted it. i say sharpen it up and see how it performs. consider it the first battle scar

[Dr. Snubnose]

Yep the temper is probably a little messed up at those points...the rest of the knife should be fine...keep using it as the others who have posted mentioned...if it really bothers you, just replace the whole knife...me...I'd just keep using it as a work knife....Stay Safe, Watch your Back, and God Bless...Doc :D

[Fred Sanford]

I dig the battle scars. You used what you had and it performed when you needed it. Use that bad boy. I bet it does fine for many years to come. :)

[chuck_roxas45]

Just wondering, why the edge? Why not the spine?

[jasonp1]

Just wondering, why the edge? Why not the spine?

Because after you've been walking for several miles in 100+ degree heat in 200% humidity, your standing in thick brush getting eaten by mosquitoes, dripping with sweat and in a hurry to get it done, sometimes, the hands don't have surgeon-like accuracy. I wasn't aiming for the edge, it just happened :rolleyes:

[Stuart Ackerman]

The burn mark on the edge will have affected the HT, and based on the blue part of the colour, I would guess round about 40 to 45 on the Rockwell "C" scale, just below spring hardness...

The area is very small, and in your daily use, you might find it wears quicker than the rest of the blade, but a couple of strokes on a ceramic rod, and all will be fine...

I would use it, and not worry at all...there might be a chipping out later on, if ever, but not much you can do about it...

If it had been just the yellow colour seen in the burn mark, you would never notice the difference...

jason, use it like it was meant to be used, and sweat not a drop...

[jasonp1]

The burn mark on the edge will have affected the HT, and based on the blue part of the colour, I would guess round about 40 to 45 on the Rockwell "C" scale, just below spring hardness...

The area is very small, and in your daily use, you might find it wears quicker than the rest of the blade, but a couple of strokes on a ceramic rod, and all will be fine...

I would use it, and not worry at all...there might be a chipping out later on, if ever, but not much you can do about it...

If it had been just the yellow colour seen in the burn mark, you would never notice the difference...

jason, use it like it was meant to be used, and sweat not a drop...

Man, even quoting the RC scale is way more than I expected. Thanks for your help sir. It'll see lots of use...I don't think I could sell it now anyway. I really LOVE this knife by the way.

[chuck_roxas45]

Because after you've been walking for several miles in 100+ degree heat in 200% humidity, your standing in thick brush getting eaten by mosquitoes, dripping with sweat and in a hurry to get it done, sometimes, the hands don't have surgeon-like accuracy. I wasn't aiming for the edge, it just happened :rolleyes:

Gotcha! :D

[THE PUNISHER]

use it that is what a knife is for.....

[cckw]

A knife make once told me the brown isn't hot enough to ruin temper, but blue is. I sharpened a knife for a friend that had been on a bench grinder and had blue, as I sharpened that blue are the stone would really get a bit of steel, then loos the deep bite as it passed out of the area that had been blue.

Also, next time you are making critical decisions in you job, you need to take a minute and check in with us, we will tell you which part of the knife to use. We just know these things. And don't worry we will answer fast because we sit at home on the internet just waiting to help folks like you ; )

[jasonp1]

Also, next time you are making critical decisions in you job, you need to take a minute and check in with us, we will tell you which part of the knife to use. We just know these things. And don't worry we will answer fast because we sit at home on the internet just waiting to help folks like you ; )

I will send you a personal PM sir prior to any rash decision making in the future :)

[TooSharp]

Just a good love mark. Builds character. Use it and forget it.

[newtothis]

Love the battle scars and keep up the good work.

LEO

[SteelDragon]

I would keep it on your new Polaris for a work knife Keep hydrated out in that hot sun and keep up the good work! Be safe!!!