Anything between the EDC and HDFK?

uhmeebuh

uhmeebuh

Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Messages
145
Hi all -

I’ve had an EDC and HDFK and both were great but I’m curious if there’s something in the middle?

Thanks!
 
uhmeebuh said:
Hi all -

I’ve had an EDC and HDFK and both were great but I’m curious if there’s something in the middle?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
There was the Field Knife (FK) - probably one of the most sought after blades around.
An FK 2.0 is in the works :thumbsup::thumbsup:
And the new DEK.

ETA: re “had an EDC”: I’ve seen a lot of those being sold recently. Unless people are just selling extras, I can’t imagine why anyone would let them go. My EDC2 is one of my favorites in that size range.
 
Last edited:
DEK1 is in the works too. Looks like it should fall in between those.

Now that I think of it. The DEK looks like the EDC1 and Field knife got together and did a thing.
 
The Field Knife 2 is in development now. Look for a few prototypes by the end of the year and production early next year.

Also, the 6" Utility Fighter might fit the bill for some folks. Those are in production now and will be available by the end of the year.
 
Awesome - thanks everyone!

Looks like I didn't go back far enough in my searches. :-)

Seems like the DEK is about what I'm looking for!

Thanks again!
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
The Field Knife 2 is in development now. Look for a few prototypes by the end of the year and production early next year.

Also, the 6" Utility Fighter might fit the bill for some folks. Those are in production now and will be available by the end of the year.
Click to expand...

For the smaller knives - FK2 and such - any chance of getting a run in a steel with better edge retention than 3V? M4 or Vanadis 4E, maybe? I'd prefer higher edge retention over toughness at that size...
 
tyyreaun said:
For the smaller knives - FK2 and such - any chance of getting a run in a steel with better edge retention than 3V? M4 or Vanadis 4E, maybe? I'd prefer higher edge retention over toughness at that size...
Click to expand...

We run the smaller knives as a plate martensite (rather than lath) variation of the Delta protocol. This was on the last Field Knife and is on our EDC. Have you tried it?

I'm hearing you about the M4 or 4V, and I certainly understand wanting a higher wear resistance on the small thin knives, but have you tried our high hardness 3V? If you have, what are your thoughts?

We've tried higher wear resistance steels in these applications. 4V, PSF27. My D2 might be the best in the industry. But it all keeps coming back to a variation of the D3V.

"Edge retention" can mean different things to different people. Some folks have an obtuse edge and saw lightly at soft abrasive things. Others run their edges thinner and use real force in a cut. Edges go dull from different mechanisms and for a lot of folks edge retention is actually edge stability, not abrasion resistance, and an optimized high hardness 3V has better edge stability than most other super steels in most applications.

Short answer: yes, we will look at a variety of steels for that pattern over its run. 4V for example. But if past experience is any guide I expect folks are going to gravitate to the hard D3V.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
We run the smaller knives as a plate martensite (rather than lath) variation of the Delta protocol. This was on the last Field Knife and is on our EDC. Have you tried it?
Click to expand...

I haven't had a chance yet to try anything smaller/harder than the HDFK in 60-61HRC D3V :( I completely agree that edge retention is more complicated than just steel A vs. steel B, but I do think that the difference between D3V@62HRC, vs 4V@64HRC, should be readily obvious to most users - assuming, as you stated, that any edge loss is from abrasion and not chipping (e.g., using the knife on relatively softer materials).

In other words - I'm in for an FK2 in 4V :)
 
tyyreaun said:
I haven't had a chance yet to try anything smaller/harder than the HDFK in 60-61HRC D3V :( I completely agree that edge retention is more complicated than just steel A vs. steel B, but I do think that the difference between D3V@62HRC, vs 4V@64HRC, should be readily obvious to most users - assuming, as you stated, that any edge loss is from abrasion and not chipping (e.g., using the knife on relatively softer materials).

In other words - I'm in for an FK2 in 4V :)
Click to expand...

I have an edc in D3V and one in 4V, and can tell you that the difference between the two to most users is readily obvious- the 4V stains and corrodes quickly, while D3V does not. Other than that, the difference in edge holding is not as dramatic as you might think

where does corrosion affect a knife the most? At the edge, because, (if you're doing it right) there is so little material there. While 4V might score higher on an apples to apples edge retention test, it does tend to lose its keenness more quickly in the real world, as that keen edge disintegrates through exposure to humidity

4V is a great steel for knife nerds, who constantly maintain and fawn over their shit, or for competition cutters who tune their fine edge for their run. For anyone else, D3V is superior in all the ways that matter

=$.02
 
I like 4V because it does combine good edge stability with good wear resistance. I think this has a lot to do with being fairly moderate in its alloy content (going from memory here but I think it's about 85% iron?) and its high working hardness. Also the alloy is well designed for a cutlery heat treat because it doesn't really stabilize retained austenite so badly that you're left having to use the secondary hardening hump which plays hell with edge stability in thinner sections. Given an optimized heat treat 4V is an outstanding choice for a small thin knife. But it does rust and it isn't extremely durable so it is a niche item. I like the stuff, but don't discount the harder variation D3V in the same application. It's probably a better balanced choice for most people. If you're accustomed to things like S30V or just the industry standard heat treatments of any steel, you're going to be pleasantly surprised.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I like 4V because it does combine good edge stability with good wear resistance. I think this has a lot to do with being fairly moderate in its alloy content (going from memory here but I think it's about 85% iron?) and its high working hardness. Also the alloy is well designed for a cutlery heat treat because it doesn't really stabilize retained austenite so badly that you're left having to use the secondary hardening hump which plays hell with edge stability in thinner sections. Given an optimized heat treat 4V is an outstanding choice for a small thin knife. But it does rust and it isn't extremely durable so it is a niche item. I like the stuff, but don't discount the harder variation D3V in the same application. It's probably a better balanced choice for most people. If you're accustomed to things like S30V or just the industry standard heat treatments of any steel, you're going to be pleasantly surprised.
Click to expand...

That's why they call you the evil genius!
 
Nathan, any education for us on the practical difference between 4V and Vanadis 4 Extra?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top