OU-31 steel??

[JTR357]

I was checking out SOG's new products & I came across the KIKU.Is this steel used in any other knife?Here's the link...

http://sogknives.com/store/KU-01.html

"OU-31 steel It is a micro fine steel made by Nippon Koshuha Steel Co., Ltd. It features high hardness, HRc 64, and is 3 times tougher than that of D2. Reported to have 10 times longer edge holding than ATS-34 according to cutting tests"

So what is it like another ZDP?

Waaay too much $$ for me
Is it this OU-31 steel that makes this knife $2500.00?(realize it's retail,but still)

BTW,I'm just curious about this steel.I'm not trying to slam SOG in any way.I own several & like every one of them.

If this is old news,I'm sorry.It's new to me

Take Care,

[knarfeng]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...highlight=ou31

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...highlight=ou31

Vassili has done some work with it.

[JTR357]

Thanks for the links

[huugh]

BTW you can buy the knives from K. Matsuda for lot less than $2500, provided you can live without SOG branding, see e.g. http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/K...sudaKnife.html

[1kimo4u]

google kiku knives. he is a master. here are three to spock!

[enderwiggin]

You know, I'm sorry. I know this a collector's piece.

...But when you can have the knifemaker's original work for less than half the price of the factory copy of it, something ain't right.

Kikuo Matsudo makes some very, very nice looking knives!

[kicwk]

ederwiggin
Well put and well said!

[1kimo4u]

most of his blades sell for $150-$600 range. plus they all come with a custom kydex sheath w/ tekloc!

[FortyTwoBlades]

Mr. Kiku makes the SOG piece himself...that's why SOG calls it a "reverse collaboration." SOG worked with him to create a design that was a fusion between his usual work and SOG's signature appearance and then they had HIM make it for THEM instead of the other way 'round. I hear he's putting out roughly three a month until the 100 is completed. Is it spendy? Certainly. But it IS at least Kiku's own work.

Cheers,
~Ben

[JTR357]

Originally Posted by huugh

BTW you can buy the knives from K. Matsuda for lot less than $2500, provided you can live without SOG branding, see e.g. http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/K...sudaKnife.html

Thanks huugh,I bookmarked that addy

They have some gorgeous pieces

[JTR357]

Originally Posted by FortyTwoBlades

Mr. Kiku makes the SOG piece himself...that's why SOG calls it a "reverse collaboration." SOG worked with him to create a design that was a fusion between his usual work and SOG's signature appearance and then they had HIM make it for THEM instead of the other way 'round. I hear he's putting out roughly three a month until the 100 is completed. Is it spendy? Certainly. But it IS at least Kiku's own work.

Cheers,
~Ben

That's all well & good,but this knife is clearly overpriced IMO.I could understand if it was about half of what they're asking.

If I had that kind of money to throw around,I'd get a few custom busses.

[Larrin]

By the way, it can't be another ZDP because it's a tool steel, not a stainless steel.

[70939488]

maybe is white steel

http://www.agrussell.com/knife_infor...ide/index.html

[knarfeng]

Originally Posted by 70939488

maybe is white steel

http://www.agrussell.com/knife_infor...ide/index.html

It is not. Read the links I provided.

[nozh2002]

Those claims based on some questionable tests, so what is this steel - need to be test yet. I was planing to do this - test it on rope bus damage my arm during other steel testing and not doing this. My impression - nothig spectacular, carbon steel, probably tougher then generic carbon steel. For sure it is not as good as SRS15 or ZDP etc...

Currently TAD gear has quite a bit on Kiku's knives some with D2 some with OU-31. Like for $360...

Thanks, Vassili.

P.S. Link http://www.tadgear.com/what's_new.htm

P.P.S. It is not White steel (and not White steel, but White Label Steel if you translate Shirogami correctly)

[Bimmer1]

You can also pick up some great Bob Lum designed fixed blades and folders from Japanese knife direct as well!!!!!!

[nozh2002]

I just finally resharpened my Kiku Tanto II (which probably bit closer to real Tanto then others) to hair whittling sharpness:



It was reshapnig slightly S-curved convex edge, to my standard straight edge. I think it take hair whittling sharpness probably bit harder then D2, may be less hard then CPM S30V and ZDP189. But it is defenetely in premium grade.

Thanks, Vassili.