Knife steel quality doesn't lower when new steels come out. S30V and S35VN are as great as they have ever been.
@cylentone11 ай бұрын
Facts. My favorite daily carry is still 12C28N and as good as ever...
@DL-ij7tf11 ай бұрын
@@cylentoneI'm recovering from a tendency to lust after steels which often, in real life, end up being nothing more than a Cool Factor. I often think of Cedric and Ada's question about how long it would take you to notice if every knife you owned was magically converted to 8Cr or AUS8.
@thunderlyte322111 ай бұрын
AGREED
@bravesrule9511 ай бұрын
Literally lol
@anthonycampos741710 ай бұрын
Exactlly. The floor didn't get lower, the celiling just got higher
@justinwatts227311 ай бұрын
My first "high end" knife was the Benchmade 710 almost 25 years ago. At the time, you could upgrade from the ATS 34 steel to the D2. It's so funny that D2 is now a budget steel.
@kutark6 ай бұрын
I bought an AFCK in D2 for the same reason haha :)
@acid6urns5 ай бұрын
i’d honestly argue that ats34/154cm is more of an upgrade over d2 than d2 is over ats34. 154 has less edge retention but better everything else.
@lindboknifeandtool2 ай бұрын
They also have m2. A steel I’m using a lot it’s super nice. D2 will be a great option forever. If someone doesn’t like it they’re a snob
@lindboknifeandtool2 ай бұрын
@@acid6urnsplease stop with “edge retention” And no, d2 will outcut on soft abrasive material. And that’s like 1% of what dulls knives. If you’re cutting dirty materials which is practically everything the differences shrink. Believe me or don’t
@richardvirchow339011 ай бұрын
I’m glad I’m not caught up in the latest knife steel craze. I still see nothing wrong with 420/440 steel knives. And then recently heard & read doctor Larrin Thomas say the most important aspect of a knife is its geometry!!
@acid6urns5 ай бұрын
steel isn’t as important as a lot of people think, but s30v or s35vn, or rex45 or 3v/4v are definitely objectively better than say d2, 440c, etc. the 440 steels are perfectly fine IF heat treated well (especially 440c) but in my opinion 420hc is pushing it for usefulness these days and base 420 is just not good. the one advantage that 420hc has over other steels is that it is the toughest commonly available steel alongside 3v.
@Hutzjohn11 ай бұрын
I was a teen in the 1970's and all we had for S.S. knives was that 440 garbage --- so S30V is like a gift from God! I did my first deer with a Buck folder --- it was the "BEST" knife I had back then (still have that knife - Buck 317) paid $24.99 {around 1972} at the sports shop across from Jamesway in Somerset PA. SO YES s30v is still a great steel!
@tomt574511 ай бұрын
Indeed so. In the 70s my folder as well at my scout knife rusted and my father told me they are still good tools, but you must understand to take care of them. And showed how to get them in shape again. And of curse taught me the mystery of water and steel sometimes do not are friends unless spendig some time after cleaning the fish :)
@acid6urns11 ай бұрын
440 is not garbage, 440a is not great in edge retention but it’s tough and stainless as hell. 440C is still to this day an awesome budget steel. it has fairly respectable edge retention and toughness, and decent corrosion resistance. 440C is mainly found in the $30-$60 budget range and is great for that price range.
@devildante911 ай бұрын
@@acid6urns In that price range yeah it can be great, but nowadays we have magnacut knifes in the $120 range, and on the other hand companies like Victorinox selling 440 stuff for like $250
@Hutzjohn11 ай бұрын
GREAT YOU KEEP IT @@acid6urns
@lawrenceragnarok118611 ай бұрын
@@devildante9I don't think magnacut is worth the extra price and the only magnacut you can get for $125 is that Ontario ugly knife and maybe a polymer handle deka
@UncleMac5111 ай бұрын
My Kershaw Blur in S30V is my favorite everyday carry, of many. Keeps its edge a long time and easy to sharpen back to razor sharp.
@DL-ij7tf11 ай бұрын
Great knife, I have one also. Only gripe is the pocket clip could he deeper carry.
@gordonmacdowell811711 ай бұрын
Years ago, I drove by a vet clinic that was right next to a butcher shop at the edge of a small town. There wasn't another building for nearly a mile around and it raised some immediate questions. Did not stop.
@jayr52611 ай бұрын
It's always good to avoid the opportunity to find your name on the chalkboard with today's specials.
@MLKusername11 ай бұрын
This video is a great example of why I watch every week. David really IS an enthusiast, he truly considers the questions asked, and offers truly thoughtful answers. Taking the time to explain how he's interpreted a given question before answering makes a huge difference. Love the channel. Thomas' comment on the "tulu" should read "we're cleaver".
@johnboyd715811 ай бұрын
While I like the new steels as much as the next person, I still rely on the Kabar that I carried in the military 50+ years ago. Good 1095 steel.
@jimbolxvi642811 ай бұрын
I’m really old school I have 7 Bucks all 420hc and and 8 ESEE all 1095. That’s my entire knife collection. Been using Bucks for 47 years (440 on my first 110) and added the ESEE’s about 10 years ago and see no need to change anything. I will admit I have thought about a 110 in S30V but then I think why my 420hc just keeps on trucking.
@kostoulis711 ай бұрын
Hi DCA and Thomas, thank you for the answer. Definitely makes sense. As a bread cutter, package opener and meat slicer, I did think about the enemy fighter type type of use. Thanks !
@j.w.940711 ай бұрын
DCA you are a wealth of knowledge thank you for the videos. This is my favorite knife KZbin channel. 👍
@scottmackey418211 ай бұрын
I love cross bar and button locks too! I’m disappointed that more new knives don’t embrace them and get away from frame or liner locks.
@zachary342811 ай бұрын
I’m always underwhelmed when I get a new high end steel. You cut things with it and they still get dull. The main difference I find is when it comes to sharpening. Some steels are a pain to sharpen.
@elconquistador9811 ай бұрын
I was starting to become a steel snob, but then I came to the same conclusion. Getting an okay edge on my R2D2 is frustrating. The next knife I bought was a Tenacious in 8cr. 30 seconds on 600 grit silicon carbide sandpaper does it.
@wattsmichaele11 ай бұрын
Get ANY Sandrin….you’ll struggle to dull it…..even your grandkids will still be rocking it….the Tungsten steel and the factory edge is alien. In a good way. Worth the price especially if you don’t have great sharpening skills.
@acid6urns5 ай бұрын
@@elconquistador98if you’re struggling to sharpen d2 your problem is your sharpening technique not the steel, i can sharpen things like rex45 and s30v/s35/s45vn no problem all day long.
@elconquistador985 ай бұрын
@@acid6urns I’ve since learned that d2 is not really a good steel for knives. It’s a tool steel. The reason it’s hard to get a great edge on it is cuz the granules of d2 are large. Do you get a great edge on d2?
@acid6urns5 ай бұрын
@@elconquistador98 d2 is perfectly fine for knives, it just depends on what you need it to do. d2 is a relatively brittle steel with low toughness but high edge retention (less than something like a powder steel but it’s much cheaper) it does have large carbides which means you can’t really put a steep angle on the edge but it can take a 17-20 DPS angle fine.
@jonthomas848711 ай бұрын
What I’d like to see is a comparison of Spyderco’s S30V vs M390 or even Magnacut from companies known to treat them at a softer HRC. Spyderco is known to be really consistent with heat treats and I wonder if heat treatment is a bit of an equalizer
@thaknobodi7 ай бұрын
Spyderco and Cold Steel S30V- S35VN are all close to or better than 60 rockwell, and incredibly hard to sharpen without diamonds.
@barneybrady54911 ай бұрын
That Karbon ahoy is the best looking frame lock I've seen so far..
@bones1014511 ай бұрын
I'd love S30V to be budget steel!
@brianlutton384511 ай бұрын
Heck yes all day
@bobjohnson163311 ай бұрын
The steel isn't budget, but it is not expensive by any means.
@acid6urns11 ай бұрын
i mean you can get s30v and s35vn in plenty of knives for under $100 these days. hell a spyderco dragonfly in it is like $100, spyderco ambitious s35vn comes in at like 95, boker has an exclusive version of the kalashnikov on bladeops in s30v for $50 (it’s really chippy for s30v tho) and a bunch of knives in s35vn for under $100, the kaizen, urban trapper, etc all under $100 with s35vn
@JohnFrumFromAmerica11 ай бұрын
It's never going to be budget as it needs to be made with a particle metallurgy process.
@acid6urns11 ай бұрын
@@JohnFrumFromAmerica it already is budget my guy. older PM steels like s30v and s35vn aren’t super expensive, you can get s35 for under $100 all day, and there’s quite a few knives under $80 in s35vn too
@jjp721611 ай бұрын
Going back to the start of my knife retardation: 40+ years ago I was told "do not buy the Buck 110, the steel is too hard to sharpen". Yes I bought it anyway and carried it for probably twenty years. 😊
@yankee2yankee2169 ай бұрын
The thing about S30V is, despite being the first in a series of minutely improved steels, and despite not quite being a supersteel anymore, mostly because harder steels have been developed, S30V is still one of the best-balanced steels available! It is good in every category! That is of some importance, especially if you need good corrosion resistance and toughness, as well as hardness and wear resistance, and cost will always be a factor. All those things are important, making S30V one of the best, well-rounded, all-around knife steels on the market.
@lanedexter630311 ай бұрын
You know, David, I’ve enjoyed watching the “knife steel evolution.” I remember D.E. Henry making Bowies of D2 (ooh!), seeing 440C hit the market (my near half century old single edge Bowen Survivor belt buckle is 440C), then seeing the big splash 154CM made (a bit like Magnacut now). There will always be new alloys, but the old steels still get the job done.
@BobbyChariot11 ай бұрын
Have got one of those wee S30V Ladybugs on order - preordered the UKPK in Magnacut at the same time, so really hoping that comes available soon... 🙏
@hellomrpostman11 ай бұрын
Hey DCA and crew! I like a nice Persian (back swept?) blade shape on a folder. I owned a CS Talwar and it was one of my favorite blade shapes. Preferences are under $250 and over 3.3". Prefer not CRKT options if I may. Thanks Knife FAQ!
@FrankToThePoint11 ай бұрын
I have a microtech Brachial. Sweet Persian blade. Automatic. F.S. 250$
@MeYo-fp7rz11 ай бұрын
Still carrying an old Spyderco Endura 4 in VG10. Sure, I have tons of blades with better steel and more badass/newer features. But at the end of the day, it comes down to what you are comfortable using, sharpening and what fits best in your pocket.
@mcm4point2o11 ай бұрын
Same although I highly recommend the wharncliff3 endura in K390.. it's only $98 right now!!
@timtitus253211 ай бұрын
That last one looks like a simplified Clingon fighting scythe. Can't remember what the proper name is. Battle something or other. Good video, guys. Really enjoyed hearing your ideas about blade steels and the advancement in metallurgy. I have noticed that the price is coming down on some of what used to be super steels.
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
The Bat'leth, it for sure gives off that vibe haha.
@Gringorican11 ай бұрын
Can we get a beat the icon for the Civivi Baby Banter? It's basically a staple in the realm of small knives now. Especially small knives with a full grip.
@darthvaper674511 ай бұрын
Shame CTS XHP is almost impossible to get now. Was my favourite steel
@joeyoung487111 ай бұрын
I have cold steel ak47 with that blade steel freakin tank
@bitterm311 ай бұрын
Spyderco has a few in cts.
@jayr52611 ай бұрын
Picked up a chaparral CTS-XHP a while back. I do like the steel.
@acid6urns5 ай бұрын
spyderco literally sells the chaparral in that steel only. and the cutlery shoppe regularly does spyderco exclusives in xhp, i have a wharncliffe pm2 in it
@Hutzjohn11 ай бұрын
Which knife do you believe Francis and Fritz should have had on the island for survival and fighting the pirates? (Swiss Family Robinson 1960)
@roosevelt19337 ай бұрын
David Anderson you are excellent! The place to go for knives and info about knives!
@SoldMyKidsForKnives11 ай бұрын
Guest host? That would be an awesome prize giveaway. Y'all should run a contest. (Maybe a video submission to ensure the guest host is photogenic. 😂) Love the content and appreciate all the hard work. Thank you.
@stephenjohnson308411 ай бұрын
Hey DCA, I always wonder what liberties I can take with my knifes and still maintain the warranty. Would you mind talking about knife warranties, and how they are affected by disassembly, changing/dyeing scales, or even modifying original parts (cutting in a sharpening choil, rounding sharp corners, etc.)
@barrykarpowich73111 ай бұрын
Your favorite critic.Been a butcher for over 50 yrs,dexter ,Swiss, Forshner knives I used. Forshner being my favorite, but they all cut same.Handles seem to be the biggest change.zThis would make a good show not Cooking butcher or hunting processing.Good show 😊
@barrykarpowich73111 ай бұрын
Dexter wood and plastic,Swiss plastic there gone now Forshner wood and plastic,the metal has changed but the old stuff still cuts thanks
@josephmartin154011 ай бұрын
Love this video! We used D2 in tooling and dies in the 70s and 80s and DROOLED at the thought of being able to afford a D2 custom! [And we used a lot of 10XX series steels back then, too]. We cut mild steel with D2, it being the best thing we found back then. IF one could purchase old D2 from the late 70s to early 80s, one would find it totally different from later D2. I sourced materials. I talked to Crucible guys after their 154 became the thing - I think done right, it would still be hard to beat [short of Magnacut and the newer things they've done - great guys, back then. I bet great guys now!]. After at least the early 80s, maybe mid to sometime in the 90s, D2 was NOT the same! Most of it came with "Certified" papers from China for some time, along with most non powder stainless, and even so soft cold roll. Things changed. Performance of materials in all classes fell per paperwork. [PS, by then even the Buck knives with the same steel seemed less than, though I hadn't talked to them for a while by then.] D2 did in no way perform as it had previously [I purchased and also worked the stuff in the machine shop]. D2 did in NO WAY heat treat as it had before! More issues with cracking, brittleness at the same treatments, and with becoming dulled MUCH more quickly. Worked in or behind the scenes supporting a machine shop building dies for steel cutting for 30 years! Crucible Steel guys were my hidden heroes, though neither company could afford the R&D we needed. They sure were superb for the niche! Anyway, just an "old guy" rambling FYI! Great vid! Carry on!
@TucoDog-ho6fw11 ай бұрын
I consider DCA one of the most knowledgeable sources for information on not only steel but the entire industry. The market including folders and fixed blades is exploding and hard to keep up with. This channel is a great place to try and do that. 👍🏻
@gideonsstuff11 ай бұрын
I'm a geologist and I do a lot of field work. I spend days in the rugged backcountry, so I always have a good knife with me. But! I'm looking to save weight. I need as much room in my bag for rock samples as possible, so I think I'm going to get rid of some tools. I need an object that can be a survival knife, rock hammer, chisel, shovel, toothbrush, and magnifying glass all in one. Also must have a satin finish for testing mineral hardness. Good luck with that, Mr. DCA😎
@jerlialprophet11 ай бұрын
The Work Tuff Panthera meets a lot of your list, unfortunately not all. The search continues.
@Matsuzo2418 ай бұрын
I've been enjoying all the videos of yours; every one of them is interesting to me. By the way, the Pet Shop Boys are an English synth-pop duo formed in London in 1981, who achieved great success worldwide in the '80s.
@diezelvh413310 ай бұрын
I still think Benchmade s30v is still the best overall steel there is. After you sharpen away the burnt edge and material. OG 940 in s30v is my jam. K390 is sweet too.
@lightw8johnny11 ай бұрын
Of the common handle materials used today, are specific materials suitable for specific jobs? For example, if I'm deciding between a G10, FRN, or Micarta for a folder, is it only about personal preference? Or should I know about different performance capabilities I may be unaware of?
@jonathancupp368611 ай бұрын
I’m not a tactical kind of guy and I don’t do high speed anything, but I do much prefer a standard pocket clip over a deep carry clip. It’s just easier and I don’t see a need for maximum concealment. I live in an area with very small towns where nobody ever seems to care if you have a knife or not. In fact, 99% of the time I carry a fixie with a four inch blade or bigger. It doesn’t matter if I go to the doctor, the library, the grocery store, or pretty much anywhere. The only place I don’t carry a fixie is if I have to go into the schools for band concerts, ball games, or whatever. Nobody has ever asked me about it, except my grand daughter who asked me why I always wear a sword. 😂
@dustinstorey677911 ай бұрын
As far as electronics go I would say it depends on what you’re talking about and for how long. Depending on the brand and how well it’s supported many electronics don’t really lose functionality for long time and can actually get better than they were at least in some ways. Also a good knife is a good knife. Don’t let fomo convince you that you need something new to cut something. Buy the best quality you can afford and use the crap out of it!
@cylentone11 ай бұрын
It seems some US knife brands have started bringing out budget knives with those "obsolete" steels because they can't get the prices down using the steels their budget competitors are.
@Rakx1011 ай бұрын
"they can't" or they don't want? Or they don't even try to?
@acid6urns11 ай бұрын
looking at you crkt with your $75 aus8 M16 SF… the best steel available in the m16 is D2 and that costs over $100, the best steel for the base model m16s without the deadlock is 12c27 and it’s only on two models im aware of.
@realbroggo11 ай бұрын
@@Rakx10 You read my mind ....
@giuliotosatti325111 ай бұрын
Hi DCA, thank you for sharing your knife knowledge and for the passion you put in your job. I follow you from Italy since january 2022 and your suggestions helped to "forge" my quite recent knife passion. Last year bought an Elmax U2 from Fällkniven for EDC (everyday utility knife plus some very basic woodwork) and I'm very satisfied about its performance and size. The only feature I would change if I could is the two hands opening mechanism. Is there a similar knife you would recommend suitable for one-hand opening? Price range around the 200 $ or less. Grazie mille
@stuartrollings60211 ай бұрын
Great episode guys! I have several knives from Halfbreed out of Australia and they use a specially treated D2. Do you know how that particular D2 stacks up against these newer steels? 🙏
@paullambert444511 ай бұрын
I got an ulu on a trip to Alaska and it’s a wonderful pizza cutter. The best way to get perfect even slices. Thanks 🔪🎸
@bradcallahan15625 ай бұрын
My Manix is made with S30V and it's held up awesomely.
@FrankTranDesign11 ай бұрын
You twolu are very cleaver. Hoping S30V becomes affordable like D2 steel sooner rather than later
@YPEDC11 ай бұрын
Best video of the week! I do have a question though. I frequently have to abuse my knives in the dark red mud of Alabama where I live, and my knives are beginning to suffer. What knife would you recommend that could stand up against a muddy sort of abuse?
@bobjohnson163311 ай бұрын
Maxamet.
@YPEDC11 ай бұрын
@@bobjohnson1633 maxamet is good, but with some of the harsher cutting I do I think it would snap. I love the edge retention, but I just think it would be too brittle.
@BenCase8811 ай бұрын
Native 5 Salt in MagnaCut
@Chris_Mack11 ай бұрын
Suffering blade corrosion or folding mechanism getting gritty or loose?
@YPEDC11 ай бұрын
@@Chris_Mack a bit of both, but my hard use tends to bend the tips or roll the edges
@clip61911 ай бұрын
My s30v buck 112 is my edc. Easy to bring back to razor sharp. I love that steel
@ScrubLordJenkins11 ай бұрын
Wow, i was literally looking this up 5 minutes ago and as i come back to youtube i see this in my feed.
@jayr52611 ай бұрын
That last bit was, indeed, very cleaver
@HollowKid11 ай бұрын
Hey, DCA & Thomas! Was considering getting a bushcraft knife, and I know Moras are recommended everywhere. I wanted to ask if you could go over a few of the models and provide some insight as to why someone would want one over another: Pro S, Companion, Garberg, Kansbol... MORA Over Really Anything, sure. But where would one Mora be better than another?
@Jeremy-Two11 ай бұрын
Hi David, What is your favorite pocket knife blade and is your favorite pocket knife handle? Would it work, if you put the two together?
@lo_que382711 ай бұрын
Steels can absolutely become obsolete. For people buying a new knife at prices that never stop going up. Why would you buy a lesser steel for the same relative price. The issue is when a trendy name steel is percieved as better when it really only excels in one category. Steels like S30V are good because it is a well rounded steel. Good corrosion resistance, edge retention, toughness. It's not to say a new steel won't come along that is a better mix, and when that happens, people will gravitate towards the better steel. Mostly steels are 'different' rather than better. Super toughness, never ending edge retention, ultra stainless. Then there's things like ease of sharpening to factor in. Honestly the masses don't know enough about steel to make an educated decision on steel. Which is why trendy steels like Magnacut (which is a great steel) reign supreme. Not because they understand the attributes of the steel, but because it's got a good name and some 'buzz' in the knife community. Lastly I think liner locks frame locks still exist in high end knives because they're easy to make. Not because they're better. They are the worst locks of whats available. But they're simple, so they are favored by makers.
@bobjohnson163311 ай бұрын
Liner locks are universally garbage.
@tutzdesYT11 ай бұрын
Liner locks and frame locks are very easy and smooth to operate, pretty reliable when done well, can last pretty long, easy to maintain and repair and resistant to mud. It is not my favorite type of lock but I like it much more than back lock (or its triad lock variant). Cross bar locks (like axis lock) are good at almost everything but spring breakage is a real issue. So my favorite is probably a button lock, with cross bar and frame/liner lock close behind.
@gladius127511 ай бұрын
While playing paintball I was shot in the chest at some point which unfortunately knocked my usually reliable WE Quark out of it’s carbon fiber sheath. Since I need a replacement, what options for micro neck knives are there? My criteria is small and light weight. I would love to see what is out there at all price points and styles, but need it to be every day wearable, so not too big or heavy please! Thank you for the help in advance, love the show.
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
I mentioned this in another comment, but if you want something of similar quality, the Rike Hummingbird is just fantastic, and comes with a bonus of being pocketable with a milled titanium pocket clip if you don't want to use the neck holster. They have crazy flamboyant colors but also a simple gray matte titanium version. 1.3" Damasteel blade. Ti framelock flipper. Kydex neck holster. Yeah, it's $135, but it's not for lack of refinement.
@gladius127511 ай бұрын
@@lordirek1 Thanks for type suggestion, but I’m looking for something in the micro category similar to the WE Quark, which honestly there may not be anything else out there to compete with it.
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
@@gladius1275 no worries, the entire thing is maybe 1.5 times the size of the quark when closed. The quark is very small. There's not much that meets that size requirement out there, side from another quark.
@gladius127511 ай бұрын
@@lordirek1 You are likely right, but I like the idea of a usable knife necklace that is jewelry quality. Wish there were more like it. It’s also a way for me to carry another knife on me! 😆
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
@@gladius1275 just looked up the specs, overall size of the quark outside the sheath is 1.5 inches, Hummingbird is 2.3 inches closed. So almost exactly 1.5 times the size. Interestingly, it weighs only 2/3 as much as the quark. It's also much skinnier. But it does lack that kind of pendant presentation the quark has. Without knowing what it is, the quark can pass for a necklace. The hummingbird really can't. Yeah, I'm not sure there's any real comparable option for that, especially not one in a premium steel.
@wes.killed.it.551111 ай бұрын
Whoever wrote that question into you guys about S30V not being premium anymore and possibly replacing D2 on the budget end of knives is absolutely delusional and probably just got into the hobby within the last month. S30V is absolutely still a premium steel, and any steel that was once considered a "super steel" doesn't just lose that labeling because several better (arguably) super steels have entered the market as well. Just because we have Rex121, 20CV, and Vanax Superclean doesn't mean that S30V's characteristics, are somehow not premium anymore. What's even more condescending is that those same people claim edge retention is the do all, be all of importance in terms of steel selection, however they feel that S35VN and S45VN are superior steels to S30V. The latter of the bunch has far better edge retention than the other two, and S35/45VN were only created as options for S30V fans/users but with the slight retraction in edge retention qualities in order to increase toughness (less chippy) and stainless qualities. Insane to think that S30V is not a super steel anymore.
@pinkyellowblue00711 ай бұрын
440C is still good
@philiplogroi446311 ай бұрын
Hey there DCA and Thomas! I’ve gotta say I’m a HUGE fan of Strider designs, some of his customs really fit into the gentlemanly tacti-cool category !
@chrisreuther454611 ай бұрын
Hi DCA and Team! Question (to the whole team...why not right?) So... ya'll have done the question of one knife and such... I want to pose... not necessarily one knife... but one EDC knife... could be fixed or folding... you can have others for other reasons...camping , bushcraft and so on but if you were to pick one EDC fixed or folding... what are you going for?
@chuckviner19479 ай бұрын
I am a 91 year old knife guy and I can't remember when i want interested in knives ,I recall when 440c was the be all end all was 440c ,now it is a nothing kind of steel.My question is about 440a .it is said to have decent edge retention good toughness good rust proofness and yet it is considered a very low ed steel ,.It will be found on knives nite the lower price range .I have 440a that are very good n some that are crap ,probably depending on th heat treat ? My favorite is Bucks 420 hc I with Bucks famous heat treat it is her to beat
@tmurray197211 ай бұрын
S35VN sharpens up razor sharp also, without to much fuss.
@robertmirmow630711 ай бұрын
35 is probably my facorite knife steel of all.
@JamesGMunn11 ай бұрын
I thought the ULU was going to be the Non-Tactical Tactical knife! Fixed blade, solid grip, full wrap-around finger guards with quick deployment.
@tomt574511 ай бұрын
I should not be allowed to voice my opinion on these matters. Would make many things be considered dangerous. ;)
@chaspruitt261011 ай бұрын
As far as I am concerned if S30V was ever a "good steel" it is still a good steel today. the end... 😉
@zzlee1411 ай бұрын
In my jurisdiction a knife in the pocket is considered a concealed carry and a knife that sticks up is legal carry. :)
@chadslagle166211 ай бұрын
Yes S30V is still good. 420hc is still good. 8crv is still good. 440 a and c are still good. What is not good is "super steels" that you can't sharpen to a great edge with just a couple of swipes and that cause knives to cost so much that you can use them because your afraid to mess it up. In turn you pull out your Buck 420hc blade and get the job done. Also all these super steels are prevent many of us from getting to enjoy cool knife designs. For example the Benchmade Bugout is over $150 dollars. Build one with 420hc or D2 and many of us at $50 dollars could buy and enjoy it. I bet most knife folks enjoy sharpening when its easy.
@BabakPA11 ай бұрын
Thanks David, these videos always make my day!cheers
@danieldevaney910411 ай бұрын
Question, we talk about blade steel being corrosion resistant, but what about the rest of the metal on the knife? Screws, lock backs etc? Is it all made out of the same thing? Or will the rest rust….
@realbroggo11 ай бұрын
Really good point and the answer is that it's completely up to the manufacturer to decide what hardware (screws, bolts, pivots, spacers, etc.) to use. As a general statement, most knives (fixed & folding) are assembled with generic stainless steel hardware. (This may be polished, anodised or blackened etc. to suit the blade.) This is good as this makes most hardware 'reasonably' stainless for most uses - but will still corrode especially if exposed to wet/humid environments. Thankfully there are options. 1) Knives made specifically for wet environments often have ultra-stainless hardware. eg. I have a Spyderco Caribbean - both the blade & the hardware are LC200N steel offering exceptional corrosion resistance even in salt water. 2) Many premium & custom blades are made with titanium or other metals that offer superior corrosion resistance. If you require all round corrosion resistance, some quick enquiries will let you know if the hardware is as good as the blade steel. Have a great day.
@CarvingSteel11 ай бұрын
Not sure if that's the best use Moore's Law since that pertains to electronics getting more compact due to dies getting smaller. Planned obsolescence I think would be better suited when talking about the lifespan of electronics. Plus I think materialism plays a huge part, I know people that keep the same phone for 5+ years at a time and other's that just wanna get the latest and greatest every new model. Same goes with knives, in all actuality everyone could be fine with just 1 folder and 1 fixed blade. Instead we go crazy when a new version or model is released when at the end of the they all do the same thing... which is cut.
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
You're not wrong on planned obsolescence, but there's also multiple factors to consider, especially within the computer space. The amount of data used in day to day life climbs almost logarithmically, which drives the older technology further and further into obsolescence. Also, processing requirements, power requirements, and just plain user experience and desire. Yeah, all things considered your old 720p monitor still works, but with the age of 8k dawning, users would consider it generally a non-starter.
@CarvingSteel11 ай бұрын
@@lordirek1 Don’t disagree that computers have improved performance exponentially however calling 8k the starting point is a bit much even 4K really isn’t necessary. I think 1080 should be the standard. I have a rig with an i5-8600k, 1060 and 16Gb that I built in 2017 and I’m still able to game on it with medium settings. All I’ve upgraded was the size of my SSD since now it’s way cheaper to get a 1TB SSD than it was back then. Ultimately it’s a personal preference and people are free to do with their money as they please.
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
@@CarvingSteel oh 8k is absolutely NOT the starting point, you are 100% correct. It's just that if that is now the "top tier" that's commercially available, the data used in day to day applications and gaming, for example, is going to catch up. It's like trying to run premium applications on even ten year olds machines, it's just not viable. Ten years ago 720 was still a normal screen res, 60hz high end (120 was basically king, but almost nobody had it), and the games and applications of the time reflected that. Now Call of Duty is optimized for 4k 60hz, and up to 120 if your equipment can handle it. And the file sizes and processing power required reflect that. You couldn't run the current COD on most 2013 PCs, at least not without it being so basic as to be missing all its textures. It's also why prebuilts are always on clearance within 6 months, they just don't match what people want, because the newer and better is going to be the new standard soon. It's just an arms race. Knife steels, though... Well, I don't think the requirements change much. Cutting cardboard has been the same since the 70s haha. In fact, aside from certain specific applications, the vast majority of people can get by with a simple 420hc folder like a buck 110, and that's been around for more than half a century. Try using a 2010 laptop as your primary computer nowadays, it's very frustrating, even if it's been updated.
@CarvingSteel11 ай бұрын
@@lordirek1 Yeah maybe comparing electronics to knife steel wasn’t even that good of a comparison to begin with haha.
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
@@CarvingSteel true enough.
@just991111 ай бұрын
Perfect knife example of “if it works well, it doesn’t matter if the materials are older” - Mora.
@Italianshooter0110 ай бұрын
Knives don’t become obsolete. 1) if the quality is good, the quality is good. 2) if you know how to and when you are supposed to use a knife for a particular task, then you are good to go. 3) the whole concept of “obsolete” is for knife makers, because they have to deal with competitors and they have to bring innovation for certain type of buyers. Not all buyers.
@DaleCroft-hr3wp11 ай бұрын
Spyderco Amalgam s30v great knife
@nick-uv3km11 ай бұрын
This Brings to mind the last interaction I had with your website after watching you KZbin….. ka-bar snake bite or something like that,,, Sweet looking blade
@nick-uv3km11 ай бұрын
I can’t remember if it was you guys. but, I wouldn’t be surprised if that new crossbar lock ka - bar you guys showed became a hit as well
@1337flite11 ай бұрын
@KnifeCenter: DCA - What is a "tactical" knife? Is that just a synonym for "folding figh thing knife" or "knife sutiable for self defence"? I hear reference to the genre nearly every Knife Center FAQ and many new release round up videos. Can you define this term and some of the characteristics/tasks/uses for a tactical (or even a tacti-cool) knife? When I hear "tactical knife" I think that a tactical knife is a knife that can be used in a tactical situation, which I think of as a battlefield or maybe urban combat e.g. swat team, zombie apolcalypse. So I think robust cord/rope/wire cutter, ration opener, flexi cuff opener, package openener (ammo, batteries, dressings), 100mph tape, burlap/sandbags, removing clothing/footwear (from casualties), carving/whittling - a sort of general purpose field knife that is also useful with things that go "bang!" that maybe in a pinch could be used in a fight - but the fighty part is a secondary or tertiary use.
@bugsy101ify11 ай бұрын
The problem i am having is how do we actually know that we are getting the type of steel that the these companies say that are in there knives? I’ve had a few that upon comparing them to the same steel on my other knives and it is absolutely a different steel and performs and sharpens completely different and it’s pretty disappointing when you spend $100/$200 dollars on a knife and this is where I’m hesitant to purchase what they call budget knives and what company is actually trustworthy to give you what they say it is on without spending $200/$300 dollars and then just spending big money on a knife doesn’t always work either so how do we really know
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
Different heat treat prices will yield different results. Almost all knife companies are well above board with using the steel they claim. All your major players have too much to lose with a scandal like that. So you're probably safe with all American made, all European made, all Japanese made, and when it comes to Chinese made, stick to stuff under the We or Artisan or Reate banners and you'll definitely be safe. Just be aware that heat treat and edge geometry are at least as important as steel choice itself.
@LtSaynt9 ай бұрын
Only steel I ever actually wanted in particular is LC200n cause I live near the ocean. I REALLY wanted camping knives in S35VN but in the end opted for ESEE's in 1095 (Venom Green Junglas and Venom Green ESEE 4) cause at the end of the day I care more about customer reviews and customer service than stats on paper.
@davidpape917911 ай бұрын
Most serious question. What was the steel on Bilbo Baggins famous sword Sting?
@jayr52611 ай бұрын
Elfmax.
@mattkandel244911 ай бұрын
What happens to old knives that go unsold? Some companies make an extraordinary amount of different models and I can't imagine they all get purchased. What happens to the leftovers?
@BenCase8811 ай бұрын
They go on sale cheaper and cheaper until the sell
@Aaron-pf7eh9 ай бұрын
Damn that Kershaw iridium looks good
@rustleshackleford155311 ай бұрын
I've gotten spoiled on button locks!
@Jeffrose_11 ай бұрын
Another great video. I did however notice you called the spyderco a dragonfly. It is actually the Ladybug.
@eric885111 ай бұрын
My US made case trapper is not obsolete so far as I am concerned, carry it everyday
@Jeremy-Two11 ай бұрын
Hi David, What are 3 recommendations for a good beater pocket knife?
@or948111 ай бұрын
Love that Thomas has an EDCar rotation. I get it.
@dauayub139511 ай бұрын
Viper Turn all day for the non-tac looking tactical, not just tacti-cool You can flick it open, the blade has a great shape, but you can go from EDC to fancy gent vibe with CF or Ram Horn, or wood...
@Jeremy-Two11 ай бұрын
Hi David, What three pocket knives would you choose, if you could only have 3 pocket knives?
@ronfry585111 ай бұрын
Swapping my bearings four washers😊
@etherealicer11 ай бұрын
The best knife for a Pizza Chef to carry is of course the Wenger Bernina 504... only pocket knife I know with a "Pizza-Wheel"
@Judgement_Kazzy11 ай бұрын
Here's a question: what are some knives you'd recommend for a first titanium frame lock? That's been a hole in my collection for years, and I've been more tempted to get into them recently. The more "entry level" price the better, but I know that quality ti knives are inherently not cheap.
@Sheepdogtraveling11 ай бұрын
I saw you had two Al Mar knives today. I'm a manager of a cigar shop. I carry a AL Mar Cuban cutter knife most days. I've had it for years. Are there any other companies that make similar knifes? Thank.
@chikendrumstick11 ай бұрын
Hey DCA, very serious question for you (and more importantly Thomas). I’m looking for an EDC cheese knife. The kind with the little forky bit on the end so I can tactically eat my cheese on the go. Any suggestions? Thanks.
@jayr52611 ай бұрын
Google forky
@d.klingie8311 ай бұрын
I really like arpm9 it gets sticky stick sharp
@Smclaugh0811 ай бұрын
Just bought a knife with a chisel edge has to be one of the sharpest knives from factory ive had. ? Is how does one sharpen such a chiseled edge?
@savagewalks11 ай бұрын
I have a quick question for anyone in here that has access, does the Victorinox Vemture knife fit in the leather sheath designed for the mora garberg?
@jufuh150311 ай бұрын
Hi DCA and Thomas, while looking online for HRC vs toughness for 14C28N, i've noticed it has a very broad spectrum of hrc, from 55 to 62. Is there a reason why we dont see this steel harnened to 62 hrc? Thank!
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
As the hardness goes up, the toughness goes down, generally. The Sandvik is very tough, that's a major strength in the Bushcraft/survival community. Hardening to the limit will negate a lot of that toughness and it'll get kind of chippy, making it less good at its primary intended purpose. Most steels have that trade off, which is why Magnacut is such a big deal. It's supposed to be able to be hardened to 63-64 with minimal loss of toughness, making it a phenomenal edge holder with a wide range of applications, while still nearly equaling the stainlessness of lc200n, which is just crazy.
@korgan777911 ай бұрын
Hmm, the Twolu is an interesting option for a Pizza cutter. So if you added a third section it coulf be the Trilu.. or Bat'Leth too others! Regardless, Qapla' !
@rustyknifelover446311 ай бұрын
Tactical is more about training than the knife. Training is key.
@Jeremy-Two11 ай бұрын
Hi David, Do pocket knives come with super-steel handle scales?
@realbroggo11 ай бұрын
I might jump in and say 'no' (perhaps excluding some ultra premium or custom knives). Although additional cost would be an issue, it's the physical properties of most 'super steels' that prevent their use outside of cutting edges. Most 'super steels' have a hardness exceeding 60+ (or even 65+) Rockwell and are simply too hard to machine and shape and work into handles. The time and materials required would send the cost of manufacturing through the roof. Further, it would be a waste, most handles do not need the performance of super steel. eg. Why would a handle need to have high wear resistance? Finally, a number of super steels are not corrosion resistant. So, if used, the handles would also be prone to corrosion which would make maintenance just that bit harder. Hope this helps. Have a great day.
@crisco658311 ай бұрын
Most Serious Request - “Beat the Icon: Carcass Splitter” Please and thank you.
@chuggiehawkins450011 ай бұрын
DCA.....D2 is a tool steel....( commercial cutters , tooling for lathes , mills , grinders ) it its just a great all around knife steel .....Powdered metallurgy alloys go after fine grain sizes and minimized carbide formation.....QUESTION : in a situation of an axial side load......is toughness or strength the predominant attribute to measure ????......
@yankee2yankee2169 ай бұрын
I love the al mar knife, but that blade, with that swedge… the cops are going to see “double-edge knife,” which is interpreted, in MA, to include knives that could be readily sharpened to be double-edge. This one looks double-edge, so it might attract attention!
@yankee2yankee2169 ай бұрын
Actually, I would expect ANY knife-in-hand, in public, will attract a cop’s attention…
@norsefalconer11 ай бұрын
DCA, I just picked up the awesome CRKT "Clever Girl" Kukri from TKC. I like to think the name comes from an iconic line in a certain Jurassic dinosaur movie. Is that true? Even if not, what knives have interesting stories/origins to their names?
@lordirek111 ай бұрын
I like this question, seems like there can be a ton of fun answers. Like half of Elijah Isham's designs have cool sci-fi references, Ostap Hel has a few play-on-words names. Knife naming can be very interesting. DCA, please include this one at some point!
@norsefalconer11 ай бұрын
@@lordirek1 Appreciate the support!
@jayr52611 ай бұрын
The name actually was Cleaver Girl whose lineage included Lizzie Borden.
@norsefalconer11 ай бұрын
@@jayr526 That's just as good of an origin story. Thanks.
@chrisjosekuehl11 ай бұрын
It’s seems like s35vn is becoming the high end budget steel, or maybe entry level super steel is a better term for it.
@DocDazzler11 ай бұрын
I am going on a trip soon that involves air travel. What is your best suggestion for a TSA safe non-knife, knife replacement?