UC460 Stainless?

[2 Barrels]

I dont know if this is the forum for this question.I bought a very large comercially made knife a couple weeks ago.The blade is marked uc460 stainless.And no matter how i try i cant get it shaveing sharp.The blades about 9" long and 3/16" thick.Is my problem its to soft or to hard to take a edge?Any input will be appreciated.Thanks,Jim

[kbaknife]

The "UC" stands for United Cutlery.
The 460 stainless is more than likely Taiwan-ese in origin.
The rest is anybody's guess.

[Wampus]

I don't think that's a type of steel, but the model number.
United Cutlery model 460 "Elite Forces Bowie" from what I can find online.  
No idea what kind of steel it is other than "stainless".

[JEFF B]

if ya looking at stainless it is most likley to hard to put and keep a good edge on it but after saying that it can be done.

[2 Barrels]

Thanks guy's

[robtattoo]

United Cutlery, as a rule, make their 'knives' out of, what they call, 420 Stainless steel. It's basically one step up from plastic. It's actually a step down from whatever it is that Franklin Mint use to make 'knives'

Please don't be offended by this, but UC don't really make useable knives (Hence the apostrophies) They manufacture 'collectibles' usually found at flea markets & on the late night shopping channels.

Chances are you'll never, ever get it sharp & if by an act of God you do, the first time you cut anything it'll be blunt again. Chances are that it is in fact shaving sharp, but your arm hairs are taking the edge off. Seriously, it's that bad.

Sorry.

[Wampus]

Actually, United Cutlery makes some very good knives AND imports a lot of junk.  Trouble is that it's very hard to sort through what's what and they have a bad reputation from all the Chinese junk knives they sell.  I have a made-in-USA Harley Davidson "Skull" folder made by United that sharpens right up and holds an edge pretty well.  The steel is 420HC "cryo edge" and it's as good as a 440c knife I have.  
I think the HD knives were United's attempt to move upscale, but HD has since switched to Benchmade for their nicer folders.

Basiclly saying not all UC knives are created equal, and not all 420 series steels are created (or heat treated) equal.