KnifeCenter FAQ

[@MLKusername]

DCA's value to knife center is incredibly high. Total subject matter expert now launching into (more or less) business reporting and industry commentary.

[@mikem201]

he really is quite good

[@rickyhurtt5568]

Dear God how will we ever open our Amazon packages without magnacut.

[@martinneuliep6133]

😂

[@theoneandonlysoslappy]

I think you mean Knifecenter packages

[@matthewkuhl79]

Crucible makes a whole lot of the steels, not just MC

[@The4cp]

I get the sarcasm, but I just don't open packages. Magnacut came in strong for me at work. It's a massive improvement for me.

[@Nightwolf866]

Sad. We will open them sad .

[@jman6109]

Honestly, i have more concern for the few hundred employees than some crazy specific steals.

[@wrongplacerighttime]

steels*

[@davidgarrett5671]

It is 153 employees.

[@fredsanford336]

Amazon is hiring

[@BladeLabMiami]

@@davidgarrett5671 What's crazy is that they had >1,500 employees when they went bankrupt last time.

[@gladius1275]

You have to assume that Crucible is being severely mismanaged considering their products are in extreme demand for a business that has only grown in recent years.

[@velvetine74]

That's a fair assumption. I mean they literally cannot make the stuff quickly enough to meet demand. So, what's going on?

[@merrickx]

@@velvetine74 Off-shoring

[@billclancy4913]

Knife steels are a small portion of their overall business.

[@Jeff-gf1vr]

@@billclancy4913 a very tiny portion

[@meesterdinglefritz2064]

I’d be surprised if knife steel is 15% of their production.

[@arrowheadguys7637]

As a knifemaker who uses primarily Cruwear and Magnacut, its definitely concerning. Cutlery steel is a small fragment of Crucible's business, so I'm concerned at the priority knife steels will get, and on top of that priority will probably be given to large production companies like Spyderco/Benchmade/etc who will likely be buying up everything they can get their hands on in the coming months to prevent loss of production, and as a small time custom maker steels that are already hard for us to get is about to be a nightmare.

[@craigslater2321]

And the cost to obtain said steel will probably skyrocket

[@arrowheadguys7637]

@craigslater2321 yeah I'm already seeing the few people who have Magnacut in stock mark it up.

[@billycarr7446]

China will be making their own version of MagnaCut steel in 3...2...1... Any day now.

[@squarebody4546]

Is Benchmade even on the MC bandwagon yet? I know they dipped back into D2...

[@arrowheadguys7637]

@squarebody4546 yeah they got quite a few models in MC

[@JerryLoffelbein]

Crucible also had to file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy back in '09 and they made it out the other side with some significant tweaking. Hopefully they can work things out to stay afloat and be successful again. While they're not the only high end steel manufacturer here in the states, they're by far the most prolific in the knife market. I highly doubt Carpenter & Latrobe have the capacity or want to fulfill the quantities needed for the knife industry at its current pace (Heck, supply issues were the primary reason Cold Steel switched from CTS-XHP to CPM-S35VN years back). Bohler-Uddeholm make great stuff, but it's always good to have healthy competition and it'd be sad to see even more of the cutlery manufacturing market exit North America.

[@DamionJR4923]

I hope China doesn’t buy Crucible.

[@TwitchRadio]

As long as the 14C28N is still around, I'm good 😎✌️

[@Holabirdsupercluster]

Knife steel is astrology for men

[@ElonaldTrusk]

H😂LY SHIIIIIT ...this felt personal 😂

[@Jake-bt3fc]

It's proven by science though, lol. I don't understand all of the old boomers who don't think it's real XD. You can literally watch cedric and ada do tests where magnacut cuts 10x more rope than 1095 but people still deny it like it's the moon landing.

[@evenstoats2639]

Except steel quality has an actual effect in the real world.

[@gvines]

Ha ha

[@asn101]

Of all the crucible products MagnaCut is the *least* likely to be impacted…because the formula belongs to Larrin Thomas. I believe his article he just had crucible/Niagara produce/distribute it for him. That would just go elsewhere.

[@kinguin7]

​@@Jake-bt3fcsounds like we get Magnacut 2 then. But, still need to find someone to manufacture it....

[@OrmTostesson]

@@kinguin7 many manufacturers would jump at the opportunity to "own" one of the most desireable knife steels out there

[@peterherth7379]

Nice to see you feature Otter, but you missed the iconic Ankermesser. One of my favorites.

[@Gringorican]

7:56 14C28N. It's not gonna hit the edge retention as hard but close enough. It's cheaper too.

[@michaelmyers4176]

No doubt brother! I recently got a Civivi Yonder with 14C28N and it definitely performs as well as any of my blades having S35 maybe just not as long in its edge retention only is slightly less than so called high end steels. Honestly what is everyone cutting with their knives where they need a super blade still such as Magnacut. To me it just makes the newer blades coming out cost way way more than they really should. That Yonder has become my favorite daily carry blade thanks to the geometry of the blade itself having so much belly compared to say a Bugout with S35 and the Yonder’s blade slices far better than the Bugout for sure. I’m excited to see what comes out as Magnacut may get harder to get in a blade so many folks will be able to afford something in the 14C rather than the Magnacut stuff out there. Point is for most people 14C is a fantastic steel that has plenty of edge retention. Just saying

[@Obsidian-One]

I honestly have been extremely sad about Crucible since I heard they might be shutting down a weak ago! Was about to drain bank account to buy my favorite knives in favorite steels! Crucible makes all my favorites 😢

[@jax3695]

There must’ve been some serious levels of managerial/financial incompetence for a company like them to go under when they have such a strong hold on the knife market’s steels.

[@jusme8060]

Very very very expensive to make steel. Knife purchases don't even put a dent in it. Then with china and all these other countries with cheaper labor, its rough.

[@Edcreviewer]

The knife market is only a very very VERY small part of crucibles revenue. But crucible isn't going anywhere someone will buy out and restructure, it's to large or a business for it to not happen. Or someone will buy out the IP (compositions) and produce them but cpm steels aren't going anywhere.

[@MLKusername]

Something fundamental must have been wacky. Most businesses cannot sustain wacky. 😂

[@homeofinventions]

Quality might go.

[@Errcyco]

First ive heard.. don't they have major government contracts too?? how???

[@CapnHilts]

Can you discuss grip characteriatics of higher end scales like CF or Titanium? I feel like I'm paying more for a more slippery grip, is there something I'm missing?

[@GOxHAM]

Back to 1095 and 440C lol.

[@The4cp]

We survived for years on them. I love Buck's 420hc.

[@marksaint2936]

I’ve got a 440 mystery steel knife from the 80’s. It’s been through heck and back. People need to get out of the super steels cult and realize the old stuff keeps on going.

[@petyrbaelish1216]

K390 it is.

[@elde667]

The real story is 500 employees potentially jobless, not shortages of knife steel. 😮

[@rockets4kids]

A news story I saw on the topic said they only had 158 employees currently. They have already let much of the staff go, and they still can't remain profitable.

[@girthbrooks-lk9cq]

Move it out of new York problem solved

[@or9481]

Correct. Sad news for families.

[@davidgarrett5671]

@@girthbrooks-lk9cqHow is New York responsible for this? They declared bankruptcy in 2009 and had to be bailed out. Is the State of New York handling their finances?

[@petyrbaelish1216]

​@@davidgarrett5671 I keep seeing this brought up everywhere. New York did not destroy crucible, the iron workers union did, the same way it destroys US steel. And I'm sure we haven't seen the end of their reign of terror on metal producers.

[@MLKusername]

On the topic of steels: How does knife center decide on the materials for its special edition/sprint runs? Which one is DCA's favorite? Thomas, keep the on screen antics coming! The thumbs up Clarkston was quality commentary.

[@nicholasevans9627]

Probably more so on "what will sell quicker." A lot of knife models that are in Magnacut can be really overpriced for no reason, just because it's made with a "super steel". However they shouldn't be. I.E: Hogue Deka, Kershaw Bel Air. I still remember in the mid 2010's how hyped D2 steel was. Look at it now. Easily a $45 to $55 knife.

[@tricky48]

@@nicholasevans9627The Bel Air in MC does make sense, the thinness of that blade can be extreme for more brittle steels, but MC can still hold up well if it’s put to harder use than it should be. $150 also covers the origin of manufacture and fit and finish. Speaking of D2, The Irridium and Mini Irridium would be the non super steel Kershaw crossbar lock model I would choose if my budget was less. And would be perfectly fine for most people’s EDC needs. I like the variety, personally. Oh, and re: D2 being awesome back in the ‘10s, I remember when Knives of Alaska were one of the few brands that used it and everyone in my circles drooled over their offerings. Then, the Rat 1 had some limited edition releases in D2 and I got one of each color lol. It was kind of a big deal lol. Yeah it was definitely pumped up more than someone just getting into knives and steels today would probably believe.

[@adamcravets5408]

Probably the wrong video for this but can you make your website search have an “exclude” button? Like I want to look at every blade type but hawkbill. Currently I have to slowly click on all of the other blade styles one at a time and wait for the site to reload with each selection just to remove one style. It’s very cumbersome.

[@kinguin7]

Yessss @Knifecenter add this! Or a select all button that checks every box, so we can un-check one box.

[@JosephOlson-ui2pg]

If theres anything I want in this channel videos beyond DCA and Thomas, its another look at Svotd Carcass Splitter. I been wanting one over a year, but still haven't pulled the trigger! If i do it's definitely coming with me if I go car camping! It would also be kept in plain view so I could admire it often every day

[@briandetrick2688]

love my old carbon steel not sweating it

[@JerryLoffelbein]

Random, but that Bill Gates quote was 640KB of RAM which was the most addressable amount at the time without using EMS/XMS trickery , not 16MB... although there's no documented proof that it was ever said at the supposed conference in '81 and Bill Gates also denies saying it, so it's most likely one of those Mandela Effects being passed around at this point.

[@briancorreia2923]

If it helps your description of the bolster on the Three Rivit, if that shape is used on a grip it is typically referred to as “waisted”.

[@jusme8060]

Price, looks, comfort, heat treat, geometry, and brand reputation and trust are all more important to me than steel choice after years of experience in skilled trades. Also, lets remember that 1095 can cut through steel pans without damage and its not even considered a very tough steel. People really get caught up in the marketing and worry about things that arent very important

[@southside1975]

We need steel made in our Country for more important things then knifes this company isn't closing.

[@ligaar0849]

Why is the channel mascot not mounted on the wall for these videos?

[@oddsavage]

@@ligaar0849 they have a mascot?

[@timjk32]

a new magnacut is already in the works. Bradford knives had some for sale recently..!

[@mrmouse-ol9pw]

Still did as of late last night. If I had an extra $200 rn I would've grabbed one

[@timjk32]

@@mrmouse-ol9pw yea I didn't get one either just looked hah

[@PlantDaddy1991]

Are you referencing "Magnatuff?" If so, that was a joke name they gave to a proto steel.

[@jayr526]

How wonderful. Another so-called justification to increase prices even further. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good price.

[@russupholster8221]

Dear Dave, I hope this might help someone asking about comparing performance of a Magnacut blade to another quality blade steel. I've used a Benchmade Barge with a 154CM blade and a Houge Deka with a Mangnacut blade for over a year now on cardboard, plastic banding and other misc. packing materials . For my use the Magnacut is only slightly better than the 154CM for edge holding. I've tried different edge preps. and finishes and a 12-15 degree edge angle being finished with 800 grit SiC wet paper gives me the best performance with either knife. Merry Christmas to all at Knife Center.

[@colinlynch6491]

Hey, just starting to get into sharpening. Are there any benefits or downsides to having a high edge angle on one side and a low edge angle on the other? And whats the lowest you should go on an edge angle?

[@PKDoesStuff]

Answering from a woodworking perspective - basically all my cutting tools are chisel-ground (no angle on the back and all the angle on the bevel side), which is very helpful in that context. If I want to use the large back of the chisel to cut a tenon flat, I want the cutting edge to be in line with that back. Alternately, if I'm chiseling a curve, I use it bevel-down which allows the chisel to ride the curve better. The same thing applies to whittling/carving knives, which is why so many have a full scandi grind. If you had a pocket knife with a full chisel grind (to take your question to the extreme), you might find yourself needing to hold it in one hand or the other depending on the direction you needed to make the cut and whether you wanted the flat back or bevel edge down. If it were less extreme, you'd still find that the blade would be pushed in the direction of the lower angle side, which may have its uses, but in general probably isn't what you want.

[@PKDoesStuff]

@@Jake-bt3fc he asked about a high edge angle on one side and a low edge angle on the other side. A chisel grind is the extreme end of that situation, where one angle is 0° and the other is 25°-30°. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify!

[@squarebody4546]

I'm just going to point out that nearly all serrated edges are beveled only on one face. The reality is, most of the time it doesn't matter that much so long as it's sharp, it's just fun to geek out on the stuff - steels, bevels, sharpening techniques, so forth. I'm guilty too, with my KME sharpener and CRK collection.

[@joestuffhawkis]

Thank you DCA, and also curses. Even if I'm not in the mood for a new knife, you show it off and make it so interesting I have to go spend money... LOL Great job as always!

[@klausheisler5014]

I enjoy CPM steels but bohler steels, especially the microclean & superclean steels are just as good & some are even better. Most people couldn't differentiate between steels if they weren't marked anyway. The performance difference is negligible in real world use. Especially outdoor / camping. Like telling the difference between 1095 & 1095CV. Or 01 & 02 steel.

[@bradenchurch552]

You are right. There’s a mile of good steel out there and most of it is just fine for a knife.

[@gregkollaeg2365]

Heat-treating is as important as the steel itself.

[@squarebody4546]

Completely agree! Turns out, I can break down boxes with Magnacut, S30v, M390, a utility knife, 8cr, and the Mrs just peels the tape off (that's cheating of course!). Heck, I could also just fold them up, but that borders on heresy!

[@NoName-m4r9i]

Hey DCA, could you recommend some EDC knives that don't have a micro bevel that can be sharpened by laying flat on each side, on a strop? Have had good luck with SAKs and Opinel, but they do have a micro bevel. Thoughts?

[@kinguin7]

I think you're describing a Scandi grind, but I'm not aware of any Scandi grind folders they're usually medium size fixed blade "bushcraft" knives. Maybe there's a few. Why the want to find a knife that can be sharpened that way, rather than just sharpening a secondary bevel? It would be faster too, because you don't have to remove so much material along the whole primary bevel, especially if you're using something as slow as a strop.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Thank you for all the information DCA. I hope Crucible Industries can turn things around. I see Bradford Knives is experimenting with a Crucible steel they are naming MagnaTUFF. Maybe we should buy those up and help both companies out?

[@Luis_fmo]

I believe Vanax is probably the best all-rounder after Magnacut. Slightly better wear resistance and corrosion resistance than Magnacut (according to Larrin Thomas himself), and similar toughness to S35VN.

[@Cry42]

Vanax is also significantly more expensive and they don’t make a huge amount of it.

[@Luis_fmo]

@Cry42 that's true. I said that in terms of performance only.

[@ronniefinkbeinerjr.7602]

Cruwear, elmax, S35VN are some of my favorite steels.

[@jkn2k]

I'm more worried for Cruwear 😢

[@Edcreviewer]

Zwear, you won't tell a difference between them. I've made a couple pieces out of Zwear and from cutting to final product performance it's identical to cru wear.

[@gregkollaeg2365]

Pd#1 is the same from Carpenter

[@jmcdermo]

I live in a region where knives that can be opened via centrifugal force are illegal. In essence, if the knife can be opened via momentum or via something like a cross-bar lock, it is prohibited. Can you recommend some pocket knives that meet these requirements (excluding slip joints). The Spyderco Delica, for example, meets the requirements.

[@johnruiz6743]

What region would that be? 🤔

[@jmcdermo]

@johnruiz6743 the region of Canada. The great state of no freedom lol.

[@aaronh305]

You can have a cross bar lock in Canada from what I understand. You may not import as an individual. The CRKT redemption for example is available at House of Knives in Canada. They must be imported by a business with a firearms license. Bass Pro Shops in Canada also carry flippers.

[@chrisjosekuehl]

It is crazy that magnacut at 63hrc has the same toughness as cruwear at its max toughness, and it’s super stainless to boot.

[@stratobungle]

My German cousin gave me a Meerkat many years ago - it's a really cool critter!

[@ninemimesleft]

Looking forward to getting one in Magnacarp.

[@billclancy4913]

As a hobby knifemaker, it takes quite a while to get up to speed on a new steel. I've been using mostly S35vn, and Magnacut...I may have to move along to another quality steel. That being said... I have a nice stash, but it won't last for years.

[@gordonmacdowell8117]

I'm still holding out for micro-electric machine edge knives that can cut a Ford F150 truck in half. If Crucible goes under there will be some other foundries that pick up some of the slack and most of the damage to the industry could be short term, although its a crappy time of year to get that kind of news if you work there. We'll probably lose a few types of steel that don't get picked up by someone else or because they don't get produced in large enough quantities anymore. There could be tool steel from Europe and Japan to offset things, but I don't think the prices will go down as a result.

[@hawkeye2636]

Vanax Steel would also be another high performing steel, it actually does a little better in corrosion resistance and edge retention than magnacut per Larrin Thomas' rankings on his site, while having similar toughness to S35VN. He even specifically calls it out as his recommendation for applications requiring extreme corrosion resistance.

[@lancasteredc7773]

Glad I got a recon 1 in magnacut before they go out 😂

[@grahamblackall]

Hi Sir Building from the "steel peak!" question. Does the constant evolution of CPM products risk devaluing or undermining their previous successes? I mean, does Magnacut make S30V look budget and reduce its profitability? Let's hope that Crucible comes through this intact Take care Graham

[@The1stDuhZeez]

If I had to guess they are adding .5% more silicone, like I suggested on knifesteelnerds, to the Magnacut mixture. This should improve edge retention at higher heat treats due to silicone helping produce finer carbides at higher temps. But that's just my theory... a knife theory...

[@The1stDuhZeez]

Actually I suggested a .2-.8% increase as testing would need to be done to determine the exact percentage. Anyway I digress...

[@michaelmetler6315]

My edc is Victorinox. I don't think much about knife steel except. I hate 8cr13mov chineseium.

[@jamesconley6919]

8cr13mov is dramatically superior in every possible way to victorinox surgical steel wich is 1.4110/X50CrMoV steel wich means it's 5crmov15 steel....8cr13mov is better than 5crmov15 Chineseum u just made zero sense and no point and clarified u don't know what ypur talking about. ....

[@dualsportoutdoors]

​@@jamesconley6919it seems YOU are the one who needs to learn something about steels

[@timwagster9458]

Crucible Industries does not do only knife steel. They also supply tool steel for so many manufacturers. Hopefully they can get some help like HD and auto manifacturers. We must keep our companies open in the U.S. to rebuild the economy.👍🏻😁

[@Khrenan]

Excited for "Super MagnaCut". Alternativly, i still want a knife made in "DuraSteel"

[@rickanthony5147]

Dave, can you recommend a 3 inch EDC knife with a finger hole around $60 that comes with a Kydex sheath. Keep up the good work.

[@butchcassidy3373]

The Kizer Cabot is a nice one

[@benthephilosopher]

Damn, never thought I’d be buying myself a new knife four days before Christmas. Gotta get that Bel Air before it’s gone, tho. 😬😂

[@dannyhensley983]

I think Vanax does pretty good on balance

[@ronfry5851]

Is the carcass splitter for sale

[@geoffreygoldberg448]

Question: DCA help! My nephew's son is having a Bar Mitzvah. I don't know much about the kid (soon to be young man) but I believe that every man should carry a knife. Swiss army knife? Barlow? What would be a good edc knife for him?

[@willfoulk4338]

What about elmax? Isn't it fairly well rounded with slightly lesser capabilities in each 3 catagories?

[@kevinreese5656]

(Nearly) first comment, repeated question: why do most modern knife manufacturers seem to prefer laser-etched tang markings over stamping, which looks way better imo? Is it simply that the lasers are cheaper?

[@jusme8060]

Cheaper, more effective, less issues with warping, faster, easier and on and on. Just makes the custom knives with what you love more valuable and appreciated

[@wizardofahhhs759]

They would have to have multiple stamps for multiple different steels to stamp tangs, some steels are a lot harder than what their letter dies are capable of stamping. It's more econmical to laser etch the tangs.

[@oddsavage]

The next peak? Ceramics and non-ferrous alloys. Lots of great potential in both, but a lot can be done to make better knife materials out of them. But it's going to happen.

[@petyrbaelish1216]

Yeah I really like the ceramic mule Spyderco had, most people hated it because it arrived dull and they couldn't figure out how to sharpen it and it was a bit of a learning curve for me but it's great once you get used to it.

[@sloanNYC]

I too think of Magnacut as a better version of S35VN. If I'm looking at a smaller knife, I might prioritize edge retention and go S90V. But for various uses, Magnacut is great. It will be interesting as AI becomes more powerful if some of that power helps create new steels that are even better. Larrin did a video recently about AI, but the queries people were using weren't very well constructed. It takes a lot of strong prompt inputs to get strong responses. And steel data isn't hugely publicly available like other subjects. As for Crucible, apparently they tried to sell off to someone in April and those bidders were just waiting for them to go into bankruptcy to get them for cheap. So even if they do have to file for bankruptcy, it looks like there are many bidders and they will continue to exist likely. They are saying demand has been quite soft and some "reports from former employees suggest that maintenance and investment in equipment have declined, possibly affecting production efficiency".

[@Jason-mb7gk]

Vanax is very comparable to magnacut. Has a little less toughness but almost identical in edge retention and stainless.

[@Vamtal]

The main problem is that Vanax is much more expensive than Magnacut.

[@Jason-mb7gk]

@ yeah I know. Just hope everything works out

[@djxs666]

I'd say the S series steels are like a lower performing cousin in MagnaCut. S30V et al have good corrosion resistance, good edge retention, and toughness. Before the S series steels I'd say 154 CM held that niche position.

[@BladeLabMiami]

IMO Vanax would be the steel most analogous to Magnacut. It's not quite as tough, but has slightly better edge retention and it's even more corrosion resistant. The main downside is cost, and it can't achieve hardness over 61-62 hrc.

[@VeniVidiVid]

Is Vanax Superclean a Magnacut competitor?

[@yesh3]

There is a tool in the book Battlefield Earth that manipulates metal particles; the first setting separates and the second setting welds.

[@Deibodese]

Not a question about the future of steels, but a thought: I imagine we’ll eventually hit the limits of chemistry for steel, and the industry will collectively shift to ceramics or other non-ferrous metals in the never-ending quest for better and better edge retention. (Diamond or obsidian frame lock flippers? 🤔)

[@gerhardgerber946]

So what steel is tops if stainlessness is not a consideration? Corrosion is relative when it comes to tool steels.

[@DominicZelenak]

CPM Cruwear, 3V, or M4 are solid options. Udenholm makes a steel called Sleipner which is a significantly cheaper alternative that I also enjoy.

[@JohannSwart_JWS]

K390 right at the top, for that question.

[@Nightwolf866]

Same ratios but less? Was 440 C.

[@aaronh305]

There may be an interruption in the supply chain, but I highly doubt the steels will go away. The decision to shut down is financial. For the same reasons, the company will most likely look to sell or license the recipes to other steel manufacturers. Crucible already has a few agreements like this in place although not necessarily for these compositions.

[@otishaag987]

I have used 1095 in all its forms for decades. It will do everything I need, and I know exactly how to treat it. Nothing is more beautiful than its ever-changing appearance. The only message on that lovely piece of mark forced steel is 1095 USA and I know exactly what it will do. My side piece is Elmax.

[@bamabladez]

Didn't hear it mentioned here but ive heard knife sales are a small part of crucibles sales. Knife production is larger than ever so I doubt we are the problem.

[@CarterSchonwald]

Certain business relationships may include grants of unlimited license/ intellectual property rights in the case where the partner closes/goes out of business. The most important form of intellectual property will be patents and any trade secrets around foundry processes or the like. Possibly escrow via lawyers

[@palerider7171]

Not exactly what I thought would happen, as I thought as the demand for MagnaCut grew quality issues would emerge, instead I would bet that keeping up the that quality with such a precise recipe at reasonable prices contributed to the financial issues, though I understand this isn’t the 1st time Crucible had such issues. I also bet the price of high end steels are going to increase significantly. Time will tell.

[@ninemimesleft]

Sort of looking forward to getting a pocket knife in super high hardness 80crv2.

[@The4cp]

Hey, DCA and Thomas. I'm looking for an old-school classic looking Italian "switch blade" automatic. HELP!

[@nathanjackson8356]

Wouldn't Vanex come close to magnacut just a little less toughness but better edge retention and corrosion resistance?

[@johnruiz6743]

Vanax Superclean is definitely equal to magnacut! Though it's not as tough, but a bit superior corrosion resistance and edge retention! 🤔

[@hectorthrills8193]

Supply goes down demand goes up. limited supply offered at higher prices, less imported alternatives due to expensive tariffs.

[@Nightwolf866]

Otter carbon is 1075

[@sufferedlearnedchanged]

It's a huge deal in Syracuse, where I live. Hopefully they figure out what to do. They are a big employer.

[@MRGoods89]

With how popular knife collecting has become, and them being the premier maker of popular knife steels.... how are they struggling so much?

[@ahoyt653]

I don’t completely blame it on location, but NY is taxing companies out of business. I know it’s much deeper than that…..

[@gladius1275]

Likely it’s mismanagement.

[@ahoyt653]

@@gladius1275 no doubt that doesn’t play the biggest part of it.

[@bmljenny]

The company got bought by private equity in 2009. They have no interest in the products or the people, it’s just another piece of paper in the portfolio.

[@davidgarrett5671]

Do you have names of companies and numbers to prove this? From what I have seen corporate taxes in New York have stated the same for the past several years.

[@bmljenny]

@@davidgarrett5671 Looks like someone deleted my comment, but the equity firm is JP Industries.

[@mikeabbott2396]

You guys should get someone to clean up the Carcass Splitter. If you have interns or new employees that could do with a light hazing-esque job, that would be perfect.

[@redfoxfpe4599]

As long as there is M390. I'm all gooood! 😊

[@iamgroot4080]

Image if that Crucible situation was just a play to justify the higher knives prices. Or to rise those prices... If You make something unavailable, the prices just naturally go up

[@bani_niba]

They would just raise prices. For such specialized materials, there isn't that much competition. Why so much effort to disguise simple economic behaviors?

[@squarebody4546]

Or an excuse to go Chapter whatever # bankruptcy and dump debt to start fresh. I hope the industry is probing into this issue to find the truth.

[@mattnordlich184]

Looks like the plant will be sold at the auction probably to some France based steel company. Crucible is tens of millions of dollars in depth to over 250 different creditors. Well, I’m sure they’re stockpiles are enough to cover for the next couple years.

[@davidgarrett5671]

What plant?

[@JosephOlson-ui2pg]

CPM Magnacut is the first innovative alloy in generations. It pleased makers and users the way 440C did in it's heyday. CPM Magnacut actually is good because it eliminates or reduces formation of Chromium Carbides! No one knew how or wanted to try to before Dr Thomas developed it. There's yet more innovation in the future still to be had, it just takes gumption and effort.

[@cintage]

CTS-XHP is well balanced on a lower level compared to Magnacut. Otter is well known in Germany. The „Anker-Messer“ basically a London Knife has a lot of fans in the German knife community. BTW, C75 is equivalent to 1075.

[@Vamtal]

I love CTS-XHP steel. The edge retention (higher than Magnacut), high hardness and sharpening feel is awesome. But it is NOT balanced steel. Toughness is mediocre and stain resistance is really bad (for stainless steel)

[@cintage]

​​@@VamtalI never had any corrosion issues with any of my XHP blades. None. It is even called "stain resistant D2" . And according to Thomas' and BladeHQ ratings XHP is very balanced. I guess they know what they are talking about, right?

[@Vamtal]

@@cintage CTS-XHP is one othe least stain resistant "stainless" steel. Yes, it's a bit better than D2 but among other powder stainless steels the stain resistance is rather low. XHP maintenance can be pain in the butt in humid areas. Do not use XHP on acidic food. There is awesome artickle and practical test about stain resistance at Dr.Larin Thomas site. You can find there real measured properities of knives steels. Do not trust random unverified information.😉

[@cintage]

@Vamtal You mean "random unverified information" by Larin Thomas? Because I took the data from his tables. Our personal experiences differ. That might be caused by the low number of specimens. I own three XHP knives. Let's agree to disagree.

[@Vamtal]

@@cintage Come on. Just look at Dr Thomas measured data. CTS-XHP have half the toughness than Magnacut. Look at Dr Thomas corrosion resistant test. Claim that CTS-XHP is balanced steel is missinterpretation created by you. There is non evidence that Dr Thomas or BladeHQ said that.

[@alexandregraulle607]

Do you think Crucable are going to send the licences of all their steels to other steel companies ..?

[@sixsixsix.]

Larrin Thomas owns Magnacut so I wouldn't worry about it disappearing 😁

[@davidgarrett5671]

No, he doesn’t, Crucible does.

[@chrisjosekuehl]

The next level of knife steel would be something like zdp189 with carbon steel toughness, and H3 stainlessness at 63-68hrc.

[@georgecook5120]

I foresee the Chicoms will make a play to purchase Crucible; just my opinion.

[@BorbelyJanos]

Dear Knifecenter, Here is something for a knife faq. I am obsessed to sharpen my Edc pocket knives to a laser beam sharpness. I understand the role angels and toothy vs mirror edges play, but has anyone tried a hybrid sharpening where i would leave one bevel toothy but would polish the other side to an astronomical telescope mirror level shiny,[ best of both worlds] Would this work, do you think? Would it matter which side is which if i am right or left handed? I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Keep up the great work.

[@Bigdaddyslasher]

Good to see a business be upfront with financial struggles, unlike Carnivora, who took customers money and ran without reaching out about their thievery.

[@davidgarrett5671]

Before you congratulate them too much they are just follow the WARN statutes. Otherwise they are being fairly secretive about what the financial issues are.

[@Bigdaddyslasher]

@davidgarrett5671 what

[@rhombusx]

I really hope they call the MagnaCut followup MagnerCut. After that, obviously MagnestCut... and THEN we'll have reached peak metallurgy.

[@AdamKorz]

Edge Geometry over steel for me. Don't get me wrong I love me some super steel but i feel like I can adjust with whatever steel if heat treated right. Sharpening system that works for you is key.

[@marcbodde3503]

If the carcass splitter is the unofficial mascotte

[@meanderinoranges]

There are lots of Crucible steels that I would cry for their loss. But K390 is my all-timer. Luckily Bohler seems better managed than Crucible.

[@scottmackey4182]

The more important issue is HOW did Crucible get into this situation of potentially shutting down the factory!!! Mismanagement? Cyber theft? Over paying executives?

[@nicholman]

Isn’t CPM-154 pretty similar to Magnacut in performance?

[@greekveteran2715]

Νοpe.no comparison,different omposition and different level of steels

[@girthbrooks-lk9cq]

No but I really like CPM-154 it's my favorite steel for edc knives.

[@medicus5565]

Okay, DCA. While navigating the various steel compositions is challenging enough for us "new" knife enthusiasts, I am equally confounded when deciding what the best handle composition is. Aside from style, how would you categorize the benefits of the various types of knife handles? While wood remains my favorite, I'm drawn to a micarta handle as well.

[@bengoldstein26]

Not really a knife question But what are in the draws next to u??

[@GamerNxUSN]

Is this dude related to guy on Stumpy Nubs wood working channel? His cadence and delivery seems similar lol

[@hachi666roku]

As long as a Private Equity Firm doesn’t get involved, crucible should be fine. More costly but fine