I've got an old Leatherman PST which I've had for many years and use on a regular basis, my only gripe is that the blade is made of some horrid steel which will not keep an edge for more than about a minute and is a complete two-hat to re-sharpen even on my diamond whetstone. Does anyone else share this experience or am I just inept at maintaining it?
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I believe both Leatherman and Victor Inox (swiss army knives) use austenitic stainless which isnt the best for edge retention but its easy to work. The best knives are made from 440B or 440C which is Martensitic stainless. I was told that only martensitic SS can be hollow ground. I often check blades with a magnet (just to prove Im a sad bars****) and the hollow ground are usually magnetic.
old kitchen knives that go rusty or black seemed to keep their edge, I wanted a knife for grafting , has to be very very sharp and ground one side only, grafting knives are not cheap, what should I be looking for second hand at a boot sale, how would I reconise a good basis to make what I need , would only use once a year
would it be stamped with 440C or martensitic
just seen a grafting knife from USA all in £10 said to be 440A steel is that any good
although its a folding one I prefer a fixed blade
would it be stamped with 440C or martensitic
just seen a grafting knife from USA all in £10 said to be 440A steel is that any good
although its a folding one I prefer a fixed blade
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mr migwire
It's more fun with metal.
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I have one of these with my knife now, fantastic bit of kit sharpens the blade in seconds. wouldn't be without one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1613...1=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1613...1=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0
Kent
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If you want to keep a sharp as a razor blade on any knife - be careful what you cut with it! If it has to be a cut anything knife then you need to re-grind every now and then and use a butchers type or a fine diamond type steel to polish the edge between times.
My hunting knives are all like razors but I wont cut anything but skin and flesh with them, the type utility knives I have need re-grinds every now and then between edge polishings but the former just polishing really.
My hunting knives are all like razors but I wont cut anything but skin and flesh with them, the type utility knives I have need re-grinds every now and then between edge polishings but the former just polishing really.
lazybones51
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Had my Leatherman Surge for years, blades have only just started to dull. I note that if left wet the blades can rust a bit, but clean up fine with a bit of WD40 and a cloth.
Theres 440 A, B and C
440A has lower carbon content. Its the best for corrosion but the softest of the 3. C is sometimes called surgical steel. B and C are quoted as being the best knife steel
PS just had a magnet on a Victor Inox knife Ive got and it is quite strongly magnetic.
Im told that bothe Leatherman and VI now use a grade called 420HC which is a lower alloy grade than 440.
The write up quotes "used for budget knives"
I wouldn't call either "budget" but it appears the steel they use is
Im told that bothe Leatherman and VI now use a grade called 420HC which is a lower alloy grade than 440.
The write up quotes "used for budget knives"
I wouldn't call either "budget" but it appears the steel they use is
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/308927-420HC-stainless-vs-440
Im always amazed at the comments on such sites. People can get very emotional about a knife blade
Im always amazed at the comments on such sites. People can get very emotional about a knife blade
octo0072000
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i have one of these had it a few years works well
outofthefire
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I have a skeletool and the blade is sharp though not sharp like a carbon steel blade. I don't use it a lot so it doesn't dull too quickly but it is a pig to sharpen. 440c is best for short blade knives with a fine cutting edge, 440b is best for longer blades that might be used for impact cutting like a machete.
Personally i'd just buy a locking Opinel and clean and oil it after you've used it you'll struggle to find a better blade for the money. My old man used to have a mate who was a professional rose grower and I used to watch him grafting his roses and he just used a ratty old penknife that had been sharpened so many times you couldn't tell what the blade shape was originally.
Personally i'd just buy a locking Opinel and clean and oil it after you've used it you'll struggle to find a better blade for the money. My old man used to have a mate who was a professional rose grower and I used to watch him grafting his roses and he just used a ratty old penknife that had been sharpened so many times you couldn't tell what the blade shape was originally.
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I've got a Leatherman and it's poop for holding an edge. Dunno the model though, one of the very first ones I think as it's over fifteen years old now.
Ditto on the Opinel. Brilliant knives, nice and simple not too pricey and they just work.
I did butchering for a couple of years and you realise knives are just a consumable really. They eventually wear out and you need a new one.
Ditto on the Opinel. Brilliant knives, nice and simple not too pricey and they just work.
I did butchering for a couple of years and you realise knives are just a consumable really. They eventually wear out and you need a new one.
Migmac
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A lot can depend on what angle you sharpen your blades at. Blades sharpened at accute angles won't stay sharp for long. I sharpen mine at 30 degrees and touch them up once a month or so. I use them for hunting and general use. The worst thing you can cut is cardboard.
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I have been sharpening tools for donkeys years. any thing really but carpenters tools mainly. chisels, planes etc, by chance I happened to mention this to my butcher who had several butchers working for him part time they were all complaining how poor the knives were, so I agreed to have a go, it turned out their knives were stainless steel and I could'nt sharpen them so I put them on to F Dick knives made from the fairly modern High Carbon, High Alloy, Stainless Steel the are very pleased with them and I've sharpened them several time now, they last a long time and they use a diamond steel to touch them up as they work. The knives are expensive though but when you see whats in the steel it's not surprising. All this has come about due to hygiene improvements apparently. All the Best Gents desmo11225
I have been sharpening tools for donkeys years. any thing really but carpenters tools mainly. chisels, planes etc, by chance I happened to mention this to my butcher who had several butchers working for him part time they were all complaining how poor the knives were, so I agreed to have a go, it turned out their knives were stainless steel and I could'nt sharpen them so I put them on to F Dick knives made from the fairly modern High Carbon, High Alloy, Stainless Steel the are very pleased with them and I've sharpened them several time now, they last a long time and they use a diamond steel to touch them up as they work. The knives are expensive though but when you see whats in the steel it's not surprising. All this has come about due to hygiene improvements apparently. All the Best Gents desmo11225
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I've had one of the original Leatherman knives 30 years now, still lives on my belt, on it's second case as the first wore out 
normally use an Opinel if I want something sharp.
normally use an Opinel if I want something sharp.
chevy2
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Dont forget that those Leathermans have a great warranty,
I bought a Leatherman wave while on holiday in Florida over 10 years back,
about 3 or 4 years back a couple of bits broke on mine due to constant use,
i was told about the 25 year warranty,with no receipt needed, sent it back to the uk Leatherman repair centre in Cheshire?
got a brand new tool in the post about 3 days later
I bought a Leatherman wave while on holiday in Florida over 10 years back,
about 3 or 4 years back a couple of bits broke on mine due to constant use,
i was told about the 25 year warranty,with no receipt needed, sent it back to the uk Leatherman repair centre in Cheshire?
got a brand new tool in the post about 3 days later
