Knives..what are your favorites?

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This is how I sharpen traditional Japanese knives these days.
Part 1 is about making "URA-OSHI" demonstration.

I do "URA" (the back side / flat side) with my LEFT hand now.
I'll explain why this works better than the traditional way
(which is holding the knife with the right hand, keeping the knife perpendicular to the stone and pushing / pulling),
 in the next video.

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As for the knife, this is 270mm, in blue#2 steel, by Mizuno Tanrenjo.
These guys are actually the real Japanese sword smiths.

So they don't do "forged in the same way as Katana..." type of Bu*% S&#t advertisement.
Their knives aren't flashy.
They just work.
(After sharpening with Naniwa Chosera 800, 3000, Kitayama 8000, newspaper stropping, it cut through a rolled up towel.)
Build quality is high, REALLY high.

Oh, and they are a little bit on the pricey side.

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Yanagiba sharpening story continues ...
(The video also shows how effective the "Touch Up" is.)

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Emerson Mini Commander vs Benchmade Mini Adamas #1 (Cutting performance demo)



Quick short video of cutting demo, with Benchmade Mini Adamas and Emerson  Mini Commander.
*Guest stars : Sebenza 21 & 31

So, simply put, Mini Commander wins in cutting performance every time. Period.
Doesn't matter how sharp an edge you put on Mini Adamas, it's not gonna win.
(But, we all know that by just looking at the blade, right?)

As I always say, don't be fooled by paper cut "test" .
And, DON'T make purchasing decision based on the "type of steel".

M.Com & M. Adamas

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Is Sebenza's action really that tight?



I saw someone's video on Youtube, about how to solve Sebenza's "sore thumb" problem.

The truth is, Sebenza doesn't need any mod, to solve sore thumb problem.
Because 95% of the time it's user error.
(Especially, with those who believe "drop shut, free swinging blade" is the sign of quality knives, those who think the folding knives are fidgeting toys rather than cutting tools.)

[triangleforge]

(Especially, with those who believe "drop shut, free swinging blade" is the sign of quality knives, those who think the folding knives are fidgeting toys rather than cutting tools.)

You say that like I'm not sitting here fidgeting with my little Spyderco - which, come to think of it, needs some edge attention. I feel attacked. 

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You say that like I'm not sitting here fidgeting with my little Spyderco - which, come to think of it, needs some edge attention. I feel attacked.  

  You have to do whatever that makes you happy !
Fidgeting is totally fine, as long as you don't make a video / comment on YT, saying that's the ONLY thing that's worth in the world.

Now, ...

Stropping Chris Reeve Knives "Green Beret in CPM-4V", and Spyderco TNP Endura (S35VN)



So, as usual, way too many things going on.
I started filming near 8PM, without any script or shot list.
I Just grabbed two cameras and an audio recorder, and started while drinking my last cup of coffee on Sunday.
(Black Rifle Coffee Company, "MACV Roast".)

The "Green Beret 7", in CPM 4V", is an interesting blade.
According to the "Birth Certificate" card, it is heat treated to HRc 59 - 60, as opposed to S35VN blade at HRc 55 - 57.

Right out of the box, the edge can pop hairs on the arm, but when cutting into the rolled up towel, it cuts only the first two layers.
After stropping, however, it cut a lot deeper, "almost" reaching to the center.
(Sebenza 31 Large, S45VN, was just like that.)Easy to sharpen, easy to maintain is always a good thing.

 
TNP Endura is still on the factory edge.
It has been doing great. I could have stropped a little sooner, but the blade is still totally functional as an EDC blade.
I will sharpen this on the stone, pretty soon.

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Chris Reeve Green Beret (CPM-4V) & Benchmade Mini Adamas sharpening
(NOT difficult, greatly improves cutting performance)




So, I have sharpened Chris Reeve Green Beret (CPM-4V), and Benchmade Mini Adamas.
Both of them (4V and Cruwere) are not that difficult or time consuming to sharpen.
Once sharpened up, they cut much, much better (than the factory edge).

Sharpening equipment used
Atoma Diamond plate 400 & 1200
Spyderco Ultra Fine ceramic stone
Newspaper for stropping

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So, I wasn't sure if I should post this, or not ... but, in the end, I decided to post, against my better judgement.

You may, or may not know about the recent story of Rick Hinderer threatening small knife maker , trying to sue him.
It was a very unpleasant story to hear.

If you are a fan of RHK, and don't want to hear the story, stop reading, and skip to the next post.
IF, you want to know what's really going on, watch / listen to Knife Junkie's pod cast.
(It starts around 39:40).



To me, Rick Hinderer's move was nothing more than Gangsta / Bully's one.
Also, it clearly shows that he's the kind of person who would try to HIDE & deny the mistakes he has made, rather than trying to correct it.
(And he has a history of doing this, being bully ... this is not the first time.)

Now, totally different subject.
I just made this video, how do I sharpen my working knives. (Uncut, unedited, so you can see how long do I take to do one knife.)

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Trying to explain why "traditional" way doesn't work.
Also, this is the true reason why you can't sharpen Japanese single beveled knives with jig / guided system.

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Zen and the art of Japanese knife maintenance #1 Cleaning Mini Tip



So, I was originally going to make another “Don’t blindingly follow the tradition” video.
HOWEVER, my NA6’s battery died, while I was out for glossary shopping.
(If I hadn’t been carrying AntiGravity XP-3, I would have been stranded.)

I almost decided not to make a video today, but … I changed my mind.
Made a short, quick video about how to clean up Japanese kitchen knives with traditional wood handle.

The best tool(s) for cleaning are gun cleaning brush and pics.
The brush can also be used for cleaning fish after cutting out the belly and pulling out the guts.

Also, great for cleaning folders.

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Another “WRONG” sharpening tip
Don’t “LOCK” your wrist




Probably nobody cares, but this video was shot with different camera (Fuji X-T4), but with the same lens I've been using (1960's vintage Nikon 50mm f1.4, with Peter McKinnon / PolarPro VND fileter on it), in 4K, not 1080P (as I usually do).
And I didn't do any color correction / grading.

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DSCF0039(1) by T K, on Flickr

Amsler 2049#2 by T K, on Flickr

Amsler Hurricane Razor "2049"(... as seen in Blade Runner 2049...)

[IZ]

I guess I trade in my collection then for Emerson.🤷‍♂️

Emerson Mini Commander vs Benchmade Mini Adamas #1 (Cutting performance demo)

Mini Commander wins in cutting performance every time. Period.
Doesn't matter how sharp an edge you put on Mini Adamas, it's not gonna win.
(But, we all know that by just looking at the blade, right?)

M.Com & M. Adamas

[S21FOLGORE]

I guess I trade in my collection then for Emerson.🤷‍♂️

Err, don't waste your time watching those videos.
Yes, Emerson Commander & Mini Commander cut better than most of the newer folders made out of  *superior* steels.
But, ... they (Emerson knives in general) are heavy, tend to be too harsh on the pants (pocket), detent is weak (it has to be, otherwise, WAVE doesn't work)...

What I carry mostly these days are Sebenza and Spyderco Endura (S35VN).

What I really like about Emerson and Chris Reeve knives are transparency and honesty, and customer service.
For example, when they say, "made in USA", that means the product is made in USA, down to small screws.
Benchmade, for example, when they say made in USA, what it actually means is "final assembly is done in US, with some imported parts. (There's nothing wrong with it. The law allows to say that. And, for many  people, it probably doesn't matter.)

I don't watch Youtube knife videos, (they are boring) I don't do any knife related forums (can't stand these people), so I make these videos only when I'm feeling like I want to make.
And, to be honest, these aren't good videos, at all.
(Camera work, lighting, edit, everything suck, and most importantly, the video has no meaning after you finish watching. That's probably why I stopped making this type of videos.)

Anyhow, don't listen to people who are making knife videos.
Pick up whatever makes you happy.

[IZ]

What I carry mostly these days are Sebenza and Spyderco Endura (S35VN).

Pick up whatever makes you happy.

I have several small folders I rotate through, i.e.: Bugout, Adamas, Osborne, Inkosi, Salt2, etc. but finding myself using the LM’s or Swiss Army more throughout the day.