Knife down

[skidoosh]

My benchmade 527 came away from a camping trip this weekend with a chunk missing from the blade.  I was just doing some light knifework.  I'm going to get it sent in for repair but I'm frustrated by it.  I'm now a bit shy of the hollow ground- although its an awesome slicer.  I'm thinking about getting a beater for under $50.  Any thoughts?

[Tsquare]

I picked up a griptilian at a gun and knife show for just a little bit over 50 and it should be a great little beater.  You can probably get a used one on eeeebay for less. 

[CQC-7]

The Ontario RAT folder is a great blade design and is fairly cheap.  However, my favorite "beater knife" is the Kershaw skyline.

[Sean]

What were you doing when the chunk came off?  Can you take a picture of it?

[David]

What steel was the blade made of?

[skidoosh]

I was notching a piece of wood when my friend looked and said- bummer you busted your knife.  I'll post a pic when I can.  The steel is 440C, so far its been OK.  I was surprised at how thin the cross-section of the blade is.  I will send it in for repairs but appreciate the suggestions.

[jekostas]

I was notching a piece of wood when my friend looked and said- bummer you busted your knife.  I'll post a pic when I can.  The steel is 440C, so far its been OK.  I was surprised at how thin the cross-section of the blade is.  I will send it in for repairs but appreciate the suggestions.

Why were you notching wood with a light folding knife?  That's likely to be considered abuse.

[skidoosh]

I was notching a piece of wood when my friend looked and said- bummer you busted your knife.  I'll post a pic when I can.  The steel is 440C, so far its been OK.  I was surprised at how thin the cross-section of the blade is.  I will send it in for repairs but appreciate the suggestions.

Why were you notching wood with a light folding knife?  That's likely to be considered abuse

You may be right but it sure didn't seem like abuse at the time.  527 is marketed as a black class knife- heavy duty use.  If that is what they decide I'll still go for the repair. 

[jzmtl]

I was notching a piece of wood when my friend looked and said- bummer you busted your knife.  I'll post a pic when I can.  The steel is 440C, so far its been OK.  I was surprised at how thin the cross-section of the blade is.  I will send it in for repairs but appreciate the suggestions.

Why were you notching wood with a light folding knife?  That's likely to be considered abuse.

Don't know if we are thinking the same thing, but notching wood, i.e. push cut into wood from two angles to form a v notch, doesn't sounds like heavy duty use to me. 

[jekostas]

I was notching a piece of wood when my friend looked and said- bummer you busted your knife.  I'll post a pic when I can.  The steel is 440C, so far its been OK.  I was surprised at how thin the cross-section of the blade is.  I will send it in for repairs but appreciate the suggestions.

Why were you notching wood with a light folding knife?  That's likely to be considered abuse.

Don't know if we are thinking the same thing, but notching wood, i.e. push cut into wood from two angles to form a v notch, doesn't sounds like heavy duty use to me. 

Same reason knife manufacturers tell you not to use the blade edge as a screwdriver - lateral pressure along the edge of the blade can damage your knife very quickly, and it's very easy to accidentally twist while notching.  You really should be using a saw of some type, since they're tempered much differently.

[Gareth]

Now I'm a guy who detests knives being abused and asked to do things that they're simple not designed for, these 'destruction' videos you see make me cringe.  But I gotta say I'd expect any knife to be able cut into wood, in line or cross grain, dry or green. 

Unless it was being used to chop into the wood I'd be extremely disappointed if I managed to damage a quality knife cutting a simple, controlled, notch.

[skidoosh]

Here are a few pics- if they post

[Gareth]

There is, IMO anyway, absolutely no way you should have been able to do that with a simple bit of woodworking.   Gut reaction says that it's been a flaw in the steel or a really OTT heat treatment rather than an issue with the blade design.

[tattoosteve99]

There is, IMO anyway, absolutely no way you should have been able to do that with a simple bit of woodworking.   Gut reaction says that it's been a flaw in the steel or a really OTT heat treatment rather than an issue with the blade design.

+1. I have to agree. Ive used axes to cut hardwood and hit a nail and it didn't do that much damage. It does look like a hairline crack was present before the actual wood cutting. Send it back.

[Sean]

Yes there must have been some issue with that blade.   I have quite a number of knives
of varying quality, price and never had one do that.  Aside from my blades also being used against
wood a fair bit in the making of canes, and walking sticks, I also do a fair bit of notching of
wood to pass the time away, camping, making "white man's totem poles."   
Send it back with a note and keep us informed how you make out.

[Mercury]

That is a serious bummer.  I am shocked that a BM knife did that while performing such a routine task.  I hope BM makes it right.  Hollow ground or not that just shouldn't have happened.

[skidoosh]

Wanted to report back to you guys on the knife.  Benchmade replaced the blade, sharpened, oiled, adjusted and added a parkerized clip as requested.  Total charged 0.00 ,
Good job Benchmade customer service, I'm a fan.

[Potassium Hydroxide]

The Ontario RAT folder is a great blade design and is fairly cheap.  However, my favorite "beater knife" is the Kershaw skyline.

Skyline is a great knife.

Wanted to report back to you guys on the knife.  Benchmade replaced the blade, sharpened, oiled, adjusted and added a parkerized clip as requested.  Total charged 0.00 ,
Good job Benchmade customer service, I'm a fan.

That's great to hear!

[bladechick777]

I Carry A Ka-Bar Dozier - Less Than $20 And It's Great.

[Gareth]

Wanted to report back to you guys on the knife.  Benchmade replaced the blade, sharpened, oiled, adjusted and added a parkerized clip as requested.  Total charged 0.00 ,
Good job Benchmade customer service, I'm a fan.

Glad to hear they sorted you out mate.

[GritsGear]

I like the Buck BLW as a beater knife, around $20 its a good buy

[MeadMaker]

Wanted to report back to you guys on the knife.  Benchmade replaced the blade, sharpened, oiled, adjusted and added a parkerized clip as requested.  Total charged 0.00 ,
Good job Benchmade customer service, I'm a fan.

Its always good to hear that a company stands behind their products and builds their reputation. 

It brings to mind a favorite quote that my boss shared with me shortly after he hired me.

"It is unwise to pay too much, but it's also unwise to pay too little.  When you pay too much you lose a little, that is all, When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything."

Benchmade knives are not cheap to buy, but they are inexpensive to own in the long run.