Another kitchen knife question

prn

Joined
Apr 26, 1999
Messages
481
Recently a couple of folks mentioned that the Camillus kitchen knives have been upgraded from 440A steel to 420HC and that the result is much improved hardness and edge-holdin performance.

I am looking to get some new kitchen knives and these seem like candidates, but how do I ensure that I get the new models? Are the blades marked differently or anything?

I plan to buy a Camillus paring knife and probably a comparable-size Spyderco for evaluation. I really don't want to evaluate comparative performance on the older, softer 440A model so I don't see much point if I can't be sure of what I've got. Any help here?

Thanks.

Paul


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
A tool is, basically, an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself.
 
BTTT. So, does NOBODY have any suggestions for how I can be sure to get the new production version? Hey, Camillus guys! Will, Phil and Tom! No ideas? Anybody else? Dealers? Help!

I really want to buy. I just want to get the right stuff.

Paul

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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
A tool is, basically, an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself.
 
Paul,
Sorry its taken awhile to get back to you....I've been out field testing knives[Hog Hunting]. We switched to 420HC in the kitchen cutlery line about a year ago, so anything you find on a dealers self should be the new stuff. I know for a fact that any of the Kitchen Cutlery that any of our internet dealers have will be the newer steel. Give them a shout!

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Stay Sharp!
Will Fennell
Camillus Cutlery
www.camillusknives.com
 
Thanks, Will. Hope your hunt was successful.

You had said in an earlier post that the change had taken place "last year" so it was not at all clear to me whether the change was a month or two ago or a whole year. Knowing that it's been a year does give me a lot more confidence that I would get the new stuff. Still, I really hate it when a manufacturer (of just about any product) make some major change and then doesn't mark it in some way so you can tell which version you are getting. I already know I don't much like 440A and various people had remarked in this forum that (at least Camillus') 420HC was a huge improvement. I will definitely give it a try.

Thanks much.

Paul


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
A tool is, basically, an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself.
 
prn,
I would definitely say at this point that any remaining 440 SS Kitchen Knives are gone. Christmas time and household kitchen knives go hand in hand. I'll go out on a limb and say that Camillus has no more 440 Kitchen Sets in stock.

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