Forged vs. Stamped vs. MKC Knives: The Real Differences

What’s better: forged knives or stamped knives? This is a debate as old as time - at least, it’s been going on since I started making knives.
If you want the short answer, it’s really a question of the heat treatment and the selection of steel.
Forged knives are typically considered higher quality, whether they deserve that title or not. Most people simply assume handmade items are higher quality.
But that isn’t always true. Take jewelry, for example: A factory-made necklace will usually turn out better than a custom necklace made by someone with little to no experience. The same is true with knives.
So, should you buy a forged vs. a stamped knife? Or a stamped vs. a forged knife? Let’s break down the debate so you can make the most educated purchase.
Learn more: www.montanakni...
You might also like...
How to Choose the Best Ultralight Knife for Backpacking
• How to Choose the Best...
11 Survival and Bushcraft Knife Uses - The Ultimate List
• 11 Survival and Bushcr...
Why Buying an American-Made Knife Matters
• Why Buying an American...

[@daviddoucet2220]

The real question is who cuts and heat treats your blanks for you before you slap a handle on them and sell them?

[@mikesummers8141]

Would love an answer here!

[@C69hJc4]

I would like to know too

[@daviddoucet2220]

@@C69hJc4 Their silence speaks volumes, MKC Knives are a hard pass for me.

[@C69hJc4]

@@daviddoucet2220 i can understand why your turned off. I don’t know that’s quite fair though. While I do think they go really heavily on marketing and are a little less transparent with their specs and process, I do understand if they want to keep their suppliers a secret to maintain a competitive advantage (if that’s why they do it). Josh is a master bladesmith, so I definitely trust he’s using a quality process and heat treat. I’m a knife and steel nerd, but I don’t think knife nerds is MKC’s target audience. It’s more catered to hunters and macho/bro culture. I don’t mean that pejoratively, my best friends are bros, but it’s clear from their marketing. I see them kinda like Apple. Unlike Windows, Apple keeps everything a secret and is light on divulging specs. They’re flashy, have amazing marketing and style. But a computer nerd is going to get Windows or Linux. Someone who just wants a beautiful product that works and doesn’t care so much about the details will be drawn to Apple. Spyderco = Windows/Linux. MKC = Apple. On the other hand, I have, and love my MacBook, so maybe I’m just a hypocrite 😂😂😂!!!!

[@tahoe829]

Wonderful video, Thanks Josh ..Montana Knives are the best around. I do know that 52100 is one carbon steel that comes in round stock and loves to be forged out or makers usually forge it into blades unless its possible to get the flat stock from a good source or have someone forge it i to flat stock prior to stock removal. Get it thin enough and cut it at the right geomety and you heat treat it and then cryogenically freeze it… you get one helluva hard and tough blade that holds a wicked edge like your speedgoats and other knives. Im Glad to own finally own a Montana Blade now and hopefully more soon. Godbless :)

[@ofpmarine]

Doing the heat treating was one of the coolest parts of the 2021 Veterans Forge Weekend 🤘

[@vaughnwesterby5162]

Thanks for the information in the video. I will ask the question probably a lot of people want to know; what is your optimal heat treat HRC for your Magnacut and 52100?

[@C69hJc4]

I don’t know about 52100, but I was told by a customer service representative that their target heat treat for Magnacut is 60-61. Although many EDC people will want a higher hardness, considering the intended use for these knives I think that’s a good target.

[@vaughnwesterby5162]

@@C69hJc4 yes, I’ve seen makers and the knife steel nerd say that the optimal HRC is 63 +-1. I’d still be interested to know the heat treat for 52100. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Dcubano]

Love this new approach on sharing more information. Love my Triumph 🔪

[@unfi6798]

Great updates mate.

[@Swearengen1980]

Anyone out there seen or know of a side by side comparison of the same model MKC in 52100 vs. magnacut?

[@mthmachining]

Do you foresee a point at which the quantities of demand would cause you to approach the manufacturing process differently? How might it change?

[@grillingaddictionwithnick4982]

Great info Here ! I need to get a MKC blade on my channel!

[@billclancy4913]

Great discussion!

[@derekthered687]

Are you cnc machining your primary bevels, then sharpening?

[@trevorfuller8303]

Great video. Thanks!

[@rickyyo215]

Thank you for this vid, great knowledge

[@aarronroberts811]

Great knowledge

[@MontanaKnifeCompany]

Thanks!

[@efficientinthefield]

I read water jet cutting is superior to laser cutting because it doesn't heat the steel during the cut and can't interfere with the heat treat process. What are y'all's thoughts on laser cutting versus water jet cutting?

[@MontanaKnifeCompany]

We used to water cut but it would leave a slight angle on our blade profiles which caused problems with kydex sheaths later - as far as laser goes, they get lasered before the heat treatment process and we haven’t had any issues so far after years of doing so!

[@efficientinthefield]

@@MontanaKnifeCompany That's good to know. Thanks for the reply!

[@74weld]

If you are not heat treating then yes…if you heat treat the hardened edge by the laser is moot because the whole thing goes though a heat treating then tempering process

[@efficientinthefield]

@@74weld Ah, that makes perfect sense. Doesn't matter because the heat treat comes after. Thanks for the comment to clear that up. 👌

[@user-kd8jx9ze9u]

Doesn’t forging change structure of a steel, thus, using proper technique, increases quality of a blade? Or it’s a myth? I can’t figure it out after years of bein a knife enthusiast… Russian section of KZbin swears by forging

[@TODinWY]

Might be interesting to add that nobody, save one custom maker I know, forges stainless steel due to the chromium content of the steel, and that none are truly stainless. Some are more rust-resistant than others.

[@74weld]

You are missing the most important part of forging. When forging, you change the grain structure of the material giving it a sporadic grain structure on the microscopic level which if done right gives it a significant strength increase. In order to yield the material you have to overcome grain structure in multiple directions. Essentially some grain structure will always be in compression and not just tension. You can almost double the strength if done properly. Either way. Great content and I love all my MKC knives (I got a bunch of them)

[@squatch2461]

🍻

[@Tbowie13]

I'm puzzled how Black Rifle Coffee still has the support of all the gun and knife guys after the Rittenhouse stance, and the owners financial support for Joe Biden. I like all these guys. I don't know, maybe I'm missing something. It seemed to be pretty straightforward to me when it all went down.

[@diezelvh4133]

Youd better get on the ball and start making folding edc knives. Realize Montana is one of the very last states who leadership isn't communist. Other states have let their government tell them they can only have 3inch or less blade, and non fixed, unfortunately. Your missing out on a major customer base.