Knives..what are your favorites?

[S21FOLGORE]

Here’s my Spyderco Dragonfly 2, in VG-10 steel.
(It’s the most basic, least expensive version.)



I really like this.

I like this FRN handle better than G-10 scale version, for its lightweightness.(1.2oz=34 g)
(Sorry, if you like your G-10 handle version. But I’m not bashing G-10 Dragonfly.)



I like this VG-10 blade more than ZDP version.I really enjoy sharpening VG-10.
And, because of the blade size, it’s so quick to finish sharpening
this knife.



Because of the small size + blade shape + (maybe) the orange handle color,
it looks far less intimidating than ... say, something with pointy tip + longer blade+ blacked out blade + camo handle ...



Sharpening this knife to hair whittling sharp, and mini tip about the sharpening.

[S21FOLGORE]

Paper cutting (in slicing motion) is
NOT a good way to check the edge condition of the knife.


Even a knife with pretty dull edge can still do paper slicing.

(Or, more importantly, a knife that really can’t do paper slicing
can still cut things.
So, doing the edge retention test using paper slicing to judge
if the knife’’s still retaining the edge is a moot point.)



Here are some examples of practical edge test that will tell you
how sharp your edge really is.

#1 Sharpie test

Place the blade at some angle (between 45° and 30°), and
see if the edge slips.

If the edge doesn’t catch sharpie, that knife needs to be
sharpened ASAP.

A knife in this condition is (somewhat) more dangerous.
Because, as you can see in the video, knife edge
degradation doesn’t happen evenly on all across the blade.

Usually one part (that gets used the most) becomes dull,
so when you are using the knife, it slips on this portion,
and the tip (which still is sharp enough to cut your flesh)
will hit your hand.


This test can also be used to figure out the angle of the bevel.

#2 Hair popping test


Can you hear the “popping sound”?

This is a good test for both kitchen and EDC knives.
If the edge is sharp enough, it’ll catch the hair and cut.
If it’s not sharp enough, it’ll slip over the hair.

“Hair popping” and  “hair shaving” sharpness are two different things.
“Hair shaving” is less sharp than “hair popping”.

The main problem with this test is,
that not everyone has the hairy arms (or legs),
and pretty soon, you’ll run out of hair to test the edge.

#3 Push cut test
Pick up some thin and flimsy paper,
and try to push cut it without slicing motion.
This is also a very good test for both
kitchen and EDC blades.


#4 Action paper cut test
This is more fun.
Try it!

Cutting diagonally is even more fun, but harder.
Not only the edge needs to be sharp enough
to catch the grain of the paper,
but also it has to have the right dimension
to slice through the rolled paper
without knocking it over.


(But, you don’t really need this level of sharpness
in the real world use.
Still, it is worth trying, and it’s a lot more fun than
same old paper slicing.)

#5 Rolled up rag cut test
Probably the most practical test.
You can clearly see the difference in the edge performance
by how deep the knife cuts in.
You will also quickly notice that applying extra force doesn’t make
the cut deeper.


#6 Cut / Whittle free hanging hair

This level of sharpness is not needed in the realistic situation.
Better spend the time and energy for something else.
(Seriously. Unless you are really obsessed.

[triangleforge]

I do love my Dragonfly 2 - even though that bandage is where it bit me good about a week ago...

2019-03-17_01-16-44 by triangleforge, on Flickr

[S21FOLGORE]

Murray Carter custom Yanagiba



This battle scared Yanagiba knife is a little bit of special item.



I asked Murray, to make a custom Yanagi, of my own design
(that’s why it looks a little bit different from traditional Japanese Yanagi)
back in 2005.
I met him in person, with my sketch, specified even the stock thickness, balance point location, etc.
This was when he was a one-man army (no apprentice), he would answer your phone call, he would forge,
grind, put the handle on, call you that your knife is ready, then he would pack it by himself, driving down
to the post office and ship it to you.
Those days are long gone. I guess I was told the waiting would be 6 months, but he finished it in 3 months.



This was when he was only using Hitachi White #1 steel.
So, both my Carter knives are in Hitachi White #1.

This knife is not meant to be pretty show piece.
It probably has seen way more combat time (read ; real hard use in the crazy busy kitchen) than most Carter knives
purchased these days.



What really REALLY great about this knife is that it can be fully sharpened very quickly.
I did not edit the sharpening sequence in the video, so, you can see how quickly I could finish the full
sharpening session. (from #1000 to #8000 under 10 minutes.)

I would call this Saab 35 Draken jet fighter of the kitchen knife world.
(Saab Draken can be refueled and rearmed under 10 minutes. )



Murray Carter custom Yanagiba
Hitachi white #1 steel

[S21FOLGORE]

I do love my Dragonfly 2 - even though that bandage is where it bit me good about a week ago...

2019-03-17_01-16-44 by triangleforge, on Flickr

Nice. I can see that DF2 gets used a lot.

[S21FOLGORE]

Blade HQ exclusive Spyderco Shaman in M4 steel






Just trying to familiarize myself with Spyderco Shaman, which has
noticeably thicker blade stock (also, behind the edge thickness is
a lot greater than most of the Spyderco knives.)

So, the first test is to cut some tomatoes, to see if it cuts with just
the weight of the blade itself.
(Hold the back of the handle, just let the blade glide over
the surface of tomato, without forcing down the blade.)

And cutting orange, apples, etc tells me about the edge geometry
and ergonomics.

So far, I like it.



I think it’s a keeper.

For those who are interested in (but not familiar with Spyderco’s sprint runs, dealer / distributor exclusives),
this particular model is sold out already.
(I heard that they got sold out in just about 3 minutes.)

Don’t try to get them on eBay, etc.
Most likely there’ll be 2nd run in next year or so, but with the DLC coated blade.
(And the same thing is going to happen. They will be all sold out with in a few minutes.)

Non-coated M4 develops patina quickly.
They are not stainless steel.






EDIT: I forgot to add. If you haven't seen "Kelly's Heroes", watch it. Just, watch it.



"Burning Bridges"

Friends all tried to warn me but I held my head up high
All the time to warn me but I only passed them by
They all tried to tell me but I guess I didn't care
I turned my back and left them standing there

All the burning bridges that are falling after me
All the lonely feelings and the burning memories
Everyone I left behind each time I closed the door
Burning bridges lost forevermore

Joey tried to help me find a job a while ago
When I finally got it I didn't want to go
The party Mary gave for me when I just walked away
Now there's nothing left for me to say

All the burning bridges that are falling after me
All the lonely feelings and the burning memories
Everyone I left behind each time I closed the door
Burning bridges lost forevermore

Years have passed and I keep thinking, what a fool I've been
I look back into the past and think of way back then
I know that I lost everything I thought that I could win
I guess I should have listened to my friends

All the burning bridges that are falling after me
All the lonely feelings and the burning memories
Everyone I left behind each time I closed the door
Burning bridges lost forevermore
Burning bridges lost forevermore

[S21FOLGORE]

Blade HQ anniversary sale

https://www.bladehq.com/cat--2019-Anniversary-Sale--3513?utm_source=email-broadcast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3-22-19-bhq-benchmade-blue-box&utm_content=EmailBanner-BHQ-BenchmadeGiveaway

[S21FOLGORE]

MaguRose , by Spyderco Shaman M4

[S21FOLGORE]

Two kinds of sharpness
(What so called “working edge” really is. And how super the "super steel" really is.)



This video is not about bashing S110V steel.

This video is not about which steel is superior.

This is a simple demonstration video of
what the “working edge” really is.

What S110V Military is showing in the video is a typical example of so called “working edge”.
(Another one, with carbon fiber scale is 52100 steel.)

Some people on the net talk only from the theoretical knowledge,
while some others talk from real world experience.

Most people who actually use (AND sharpen) S110V blade have been saying,

“It will not hold the “razor-like” initial sharpness that long,
however, it will hold the “working edge” for much longer period of time
than most of the steels out there.”

Yup. That’s what it (S110V) is, pretty much.
Watch the video again, you can clearly see, S110V blade isn’t that sharp at all, but you can keep cutting.
And that’s another proof of paper cut test can’t be used to judge the edge retention.
Edge retention test by cutting abrasive stuff such as manila rope and cut copy paper to see if it’s still holding the edge is, pretty much meaningless, other than for entertainment purpose.

One thing a lot of people don’t realize is that the steels have different characteristics.
You can’t do fair comparison by doing one overly simplified test such as rope cutting.
It is like comparing Ducati Panigale and Honda Grom and Suzuki DRz400, and judging by just riding around in the city of San Francisco, saying Grom is the best performing motorcycle.

Rope cutting test works in favor of carbide-rich, high alloyed steels such as S110V.
It is very unfair test.

I seriously hope you don’t make knife purchasing decision based on these Youtube edge retention test videos.

[S21FOLGORE]

Tomato Rose and Carrot Butterfly

[S21FOLGORE]

Spyderco Bug & Triple Aught Design Gemini shirt



I love TAD gear.

[S21FOLGORE]

Edge geometry and cutting performance

R2 steel Wa-Gyuto 240mm, by Yu Kurosaki

out of box performance test



Yu Kurosaki

[S21FOLGORE]

Fujitake VG-10 Santoku (170 mm)
and Petty (125 mm)
purchased locally
(from Hida Tool in Berkeley, CA)



Petty






They aren’t cheap.
But, they aren’t that expensive, either.

(They cost less than Shun classic series, which use similar steel (VG-MAX) ).

They are mono steel construction knives, not laminated.
(Generally speaking, laminated construction knives have harder steel.)

Bottom one is laminated construction knife



Fujitake edge


Kumadori edge



If you disregard VG-10 as “entry lever”, “soft steel that won’t hold the edge”  
based on youtube comment, keep in mind that the majority of those people
actually don’t use knives, they just talk the talk.

If you have used VG-10 steel knives and are disappointed (especially kitchen knives),
then, you probably have purchased something like Shun (you are mostly paying for
the brand name, designer’s name, and advertisement).

[S21FOLGORE]

Just made up this video, showing the difference in cutting performance
by blade length, before & after sharpening on the stone, and edge geometry.



In some cases, blade length makes pretty big difference.
Some steel hold "the bite" better than the others.
Some edge cut through thing better because of less resistant.

Knives are interesting.
Even just flipping them around, they are interesting.
But, when you constantly cut something, sharpen, cut again, they become more interesting.

[S21FOLGORE]

Leather strop