What will sharpen the best G10, kydex etc? Your insight is appreciated

[Sox]

So, I work in a VERY non permissive environment, yet at night walk for food or pharmacy for knick knacks, coffee etc. Was thinking about a project. I want to make a credit card sized as sharp as feasible card to fit on my access badge! What is the best medium to sharpen? G10, kydex?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[hso]

Question - for what purpose?

Consider there are good alternatives to blades for defensive use, so if you are in a very restrictive environment for defensive tools something else might do as well without the complications of making a concealed weapon.

 

[herrwalther]

I have a pair of knives given to me by an Israeli Mossad agent. Completely metal free but as sharp as some of my typical knives. Have even gotten them on an airplane a time or two. I would recommend an improvised weapon, something other than an object you just sharpen up. Carrying a knife where you shouldn't is a bad idea if you get caught. There are plenty of articles online about improvised weapons, usually in places like inside an airport secured area that can give you some ideas too.

 

[jmr40]

I always need a writing instrument and often carry a pen with a metal barrel. If necessary, it can be a formidable weapon and will attract zero attention anywhere. Even a plastic barreled pen can be effective.

Amazon.com: Zebra Pen G-750 Retractable Gel Pen, F-701 and M-701 Retractable Pen/Pencil Gift Set, Premium Metal Barrel, Medium/Fine Point, 0.7mm/0.8mm, 3-Pack (10513) : Office Products

It's been several years back, but a middle school student here in GA killed the principal of the school by stabbing them with a nail file.

13-Year-Old Called To Principal's Office, Stabs Him To Death | AP News

 

[rust collector]

I have never attempted to sharpen non-metal material, so cannot answer your question. I believe, however, that a cane or walking stick would be a better defense tool than a piece of sharp plastic. Kershaw and others make non-metallic knives, but they appear to be knives so your non-permissive environment would not be amused. A flashlight with a crenelated bezel might also be useful.

 

[JShirley]

A full, unopened 16 oz bottle of water would be more effective, and entirely legal. A sturdy flashlight 6-10" long would be my 2nd choice.

Even a fatal cut with a small sharp can take a very long time to incapacitate. Additionally, a credit-card sized piece of sharpened plastic won't give you a lot of good gripping surface. Even if you succeeded in making something very sharp, there's about as much chance of you cutting yourself as you cutting an attacker.

John

 

[Blue Jays]

Things like sharpened-edge metal poker cards and similar devices are essentially novelties. Not worth it.

 

[WrongHanded]

Whilst I agree with others who've said a legal alternative is a better solution, I'll tell you what I think would work best for your project.

An angle grinder with a sanding pad would be the best place to start (unless you have a bench grinder). Don't do too much at once if it's kydex, or it will start to melt and deform. You can cool it between passes with ice or water.

Failing that, a rough file first. Then coarse sandpaper wrapped around a 2x4 to get some shape. To finish, you should be able to created a convex edge that will be strong but reasonably sharp by putting (coarse and then fine) sandpaper on a mouse pad (or something slightly soft and springy, maybe a relaxed thigh) and dragging the edge across it. A pair of small vise grips might help accomplish this more easily, given that it's credit card sized.

 

[RA40]

Rigidity is going to be a factor depending on thickness. The Kydex I have on hand is .06", .08" and neither of those would I consider rigid enough to take an edge sufficient to be a cutting instrument. The 6-4 titanium at .030" would be and it doesn't really need to be sharpened to cut. My buddy that makes these credit card sized "tools" does his at .043".

 

[Blue Jays]

In all seriousness…a far easier way to fly under the radar would be to bring a knife, bagel, and cream cheese.

 

[Double_J]

I sharpened an expired gift card once as a proof of concept. It was one of the crappies cutting tools I have ever used ergonomically; I couldn't keep a grip on it and it cut me as much as it cut the test media. I would look for an unopened water bottle or other improvised impact weapon. I would also look into a cane, flashlight and caribeener attached by paranoid, or a good sturdy belt.

I would not carry something that is a single use weapon in a restricted area as it can and will lead to nothing but problems.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

There are people making Sharpie markers in several sizes with the marker nib replaced by a sharpened black G10 spike. That would be workable. But I think in a real NPE what you need is less a concealed weapon and more a dual-purpose item that is plausibly deniable. If someone finds you with a G10 push dagger, for example, there's no credible scenario in which you were not trying to deliberately violate the weapons policies and procedures. Maglite or steel pen? Easily explained.

 

[JeffG]

https://www.coldsteel.com/fgx-push-blade-ii/

I hang mine inverted, IWB from my belt.

 

[earplug]

Check out the line of walking canes that are available by Cold Steel or other makers. ADA compliant and actually useful.

 

[JShirley]

in a real NPE what you need is less a concealed weapon and more a dual-purpose item that is plausibly deniable. If someone finds you with a G10 push dagger, for example, there's no credible scenario in which you were not trying to deliberately violate the weapons policies and procedures. Maglite or steel pen? Easily explained.

This, 1000x.

John

 

[herrwalther]

Another thing I remembered...

Stainless steel water bottles are allowed in many NPEs and can be an effective weapon. Even when empty. I carry one everywhere. Not because I think I will need it as a weapon but because I drink a lot of water during the day.

 

[JShirley]

A regular plastic water bottle, if unopened, can withstand a surprising amount of force.

 

[Blue Jays]

For goodness sake, do not get fired from a good job over a novelty covert knife!
Either obtain a new employer or simply utilize everyday/common workplace items.

Use their bottled water, their staplers, their brooms, their mop handles, etc., etc.

HR departments are not famous for taking an understanding approach to these types of events.
Reminds me of a poster here who wanted to "test" holsters by carrying a fake model of his real gun.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I have never attempted to sharpen non-metal material, so cannot answer your question. I believe, however, that a cane or walking stick would be a better defense tool than a piece of sharp plastic. Kershaw and others make non-metallic knives, but they appear to be knives so your non-permissive environment would not be amused. A flashlight with a crenelated bezel might also be useful.

This ^^^^^^

OP, do you have back issues? I do, and I keep a blackthorn shillelagh in my office for a mobility aid when it acts up.

I never get questioned on it's presence at all. It's a walking stick, and I use it when I need it.

But if need be you can beat the snot out of an attacking animal or jackass if need be. As is the case with any self defense item, training is a benefit.

 

[jdh]

This is shaving sharp. It stayed in my lunch box with the matching spoon and fork. Managers have seen it. Nothing has ever been said.

 

[theotherwaldo]

The sharpest knife that I have is made of obsidian, with a bone handle.
I can carry it in a medicine pouch.
Then again, my earliest training was by an Apache medicine man... .

 

[DustyGmt]

Yes, I'll also parrot the dual purpose philosophy. You need to protect yourself physically as well as your livelihood and legally. A Pen like this is a great object to have on your person at all times without catching a hairy eyeball. It's a Rick Hinderer pen and I think the steel version is like $60 and about $120 for Titanium. but you could find one similar to this and achieve the same thing for probably a fraction, I'm sure Amazon has some in the $10-$20 range and then of course there is always your plain old $2 pen.

Another thing that could be effective is a Sailors Knot or Monkey Fist Keychain. They don't arouse much attention and are kind of fun to make. Another devastating impact tool is a padlock. If you had an innocuous way to carry a small padlock in the pocket or in a bag and if the time comes (dial in palm, finger through the lock), make contact with that and the attack may very well be over.

 

[hso]

It could be a little difficult to explain carrying a padlock on a standard walk if you're not carrying a bag to rationalize the lock. That aside, a short length of computer security cable supports an explanation for an otherwise bare lock.

 

[Sox]

Appreciate all the input, wisdom and expertise though I am good on self defense aspect etc. I guess I should have parsed it down to which one sharpens the best, most readily etc., and left the whole NPE part out.

 

[Gordon]

G10 is probably the best plastic to sharpen and use a single bevel edge , not a V bevel but rather a "Chisel" single bevel. Mad Dog made "Frequent Flyer" and other knives that way and they are highly reguarded for 25 years by civilains and - others. Mad Dog (Kevin McClung) also made Ceramic bladed knives which are at the top of the heap for non metallic blades. I have seen him drive one thru the side of a car, top of a 55 gallon drum and cut meat with them . They are extremely hard to grind and somewhat difficult to sharpen Although I don't know of many non food ceramic knives a few are out there. Boker was early into the folding Ceramic blade knifes and they are decent, but no $2000 Mad Dog !
One of these is handy and credit card size but is metallic :
https://www.swissknifeshop.com/products/swisscard-classic-swiss-army-knife?variant=29263465578601
There are Ceramic Credit card knives out there, don't try to fly with one carry on ! Any dense material shows up in carry on or body scans.