Are Bark River and Tops going to crush everyone?

https://flic.kr/p/2p5RiLW
https://flic.kr/p/2p5Rj56
https://flic.kr/p/2p5PkZK
I am trying out the Hukari (Tater Oy had for a long time) when compared to the Terava Skrama(suggested in this thread). The Skrama is longer and requires less of a swing, but for me it is not cutting as cleanly on 1 inch brush that I am hacking. Maybe it is the blade shape(or that I touched up the Hukari to the angle I find most effective on what I have to clear most times.) I will see how it does over the season and on sharpening.
 
Smithhammer said:
I wish they'd stop using thick, lumpy truck bed liner for their blade coatings and putting massive logos on their blades.
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Perhaps someone can start a side business (or Tops or Bark River could do it in their warranty shop as a service for $) of stripping off the thick paint and refinishing with a bluing. Maybe even a custom regrind service to thin the things out or change the grind height. The handles are usually screwed in place and easily removed and replaced. Allows for custom handles as well...

As I said before, I recently sent a Bark River ultra lite bushcrafter to Bark River to get it ground high and flat like the hunter lt, and thinned down to .09. They did a great job. It went from decent and a bit thick as a scandi to a solid and usable slicer for the field.
 
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MessieurRick said:
I believe it is actually the chromium content that determines whether or not it is stainless. Carbon content generally determines hardenability.
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Good job misleading a new person.
Roguebama said:
Thank You.
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Don't thank him, they did you a disservice. Look at how much chromium is in zdp-189:Screenshot_20230929_092708_Brave.jpg


Wow, right? Must be real real stainless with all that chromium? It's not. It rusts, I have rusty zdp-189. Why? Other factors and elements go into corrosion resistance than just chromium? Why yes, yes they do.
 
shinyedges said:
Good job misleading a new person.

Don't thank him, they did you a disservice. Look at how much chromium is in zdp-189:View attachment 2338080


Wow, right? Must be real real stainless with all that chromium? It's not. It rusts, I have rusty zdp-189. Why? Other factors and elements go into corrosion resistance than just chromium? Why yes, yes they do.
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From the US Geological Services website:
"Chromium is critical in the manufacturing of stainless steel. Most stainless steel contains about 18 percent chromium; it is what hardens and toughens steel and increases its resistance to corrosion, especially at high temperatures."
From Dartmouth University's website:
"Chrome metal (the form chromium-0) is the element that makes steel “stainless.” Chromium in this form is hard, stable, and resistant to chemical changes such as oxidation or rust. Steel alloyed with chromium is harder and less brittle than iron and highly rust-resistant. This form of chromium is also used to coat or “chrome plate” the surface of other metals to produce a hard, shiny, chemically resistant surface."
From the Practical Machinist:
"Chromium is added to the iron and carbon mix, protecting the metal from oxidation. For steel to be considered stainless, it must contain 11% of chromium. However, most stainless steels contain more than that."
Stainless steels are rust-resistant, not rustproof and will corrode under the right circumstances.
 
MessieurRick said:
From the US Geological Services website:
"Chromium is critical in the manufacturing of stainless steel. Most stainless steel contains about 18 percent chromium; it is what hardens and toughens steel and increases its resistance to corrosion, especially at high temperatures."
From Dartmouth University's website:
"Chrome metal (the form chromium-0) is the element that makes steel “stainless.” Chromium in this form is hard, stable, and resistant to chemical changes such as oxidation or rust. Steel alloyed with chromium is harder and less brittle than iron and highly rust-resistant. This form of chromium is also used to coat or “chrome plate” the surface of other metals to produce a hard, shiny, chemically resistant surface."
From the Practical Machinist:
"Chromium is added to the iron and carbon mix, protecting the metal from oxidation. For steel to be considered stainless, it must contain 11% of chromium. However, most stainless steels contain more than that."
Stainless steels are rust-resistant, not rustproof and will corrode under the right circumstances.
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Chromium is one factor in the corrosion resistance of steels. There are other factors, like carbon content, nitrogen and molybdenum content as well as heat treatment.

It would do you well to read from our local metallurgists website https://knifesteelnerds.com and educate yourself.
 
MessieurRick said:
That's true but we were only discussing chromium so that all I addressed.
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You said chromium is what makes it stainless or not, I'm just pointing out that's misleading. As high chromium doesn't necessarily equate to high stainlessness or corrosion resistance.
 
Fellas, start a new thread on what makes a steel stainless and the properties required...so that this thread doesn't get even further sidetracked. It's not a bad topic for discussion, but this isn't the place for it.

I'd prefer not to shut this down if the OP still sees value in its continuing.
 
Blues said:
Fellas, start a new thread on what makes a steel stainless and the properties required...so that this thread doesn't get even further sidetracked. It's not a bad topic for discussion, but this isn't the place for it.

I'd prefer not to shut this down if the OP still sees value in its continuing.
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Yep - great discussion on the knife steels - and the post on https://knifesteelnerds.com Much appreciated. There have been a lot of discussions flying out of this one.
 
I don't understand...
Why buy a knife from a maker only to send it back to redo it? The general shape is already a template for them to then work on it, they are not custom unique or anything. At their prices, why can't you just ask them what you want the knife to be in the first hand?

Grohmann for example, if you visit their website, they give you all of the options of grinds and handles with very little price difference.
 
Deino said:
I don't understand...
Why buy a knife from a maker only to send it back to redo it? The general shape is already a template for them to then work on it, they are not custom unique or anything. At their prices, why can't you just ask them what you want the knife to be in the first hand?

Grohmann for example, if you visit their website, they give you all of the options of grinds and handles with very little price difference.
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With things subject to availability, many prefer to have a knife in hand to use and get it "fixed" versus waiting for a custom. (looking at Chris Reeve waitlist makes me cringe)
 
droddy386 said:
With things subject to availability, many prefer to have a knife in hand to use and get it "fixed" versus waiting for a custom. (looking at Chris Reeve waitlist makes me cringe)
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..... I don't think you can put Berk River and CRK in the same space. There are a number of makers who all land closer to BRK and who's products are generally available and without the need for an after sales rework. Randall Knives are running about 5yrs last I heard for an order (but they are available through some who get stock - not not saying the Randall are swimming in the same space at BRK, simply that "wait times" are relative). There are also a number of makers here on the forum that would make you a blade to order in less time than it would take to order a BRK, decide it was a "Friday Special" and take on the lottery that their "Warranty Division" is.

I don't have much experience with Tops though as an Australian of a certain age, I have some issues with their owner, maybe former owner now, but I don't hear anything bad about the product or their backup.
 
coolbreezy37 said:
Tops definitely puts out an excellent and consistent heat treat. IMO they have the best heat treat out of any 1095 production blade.
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I will try to do some testing on Tops in the future. Cliff use to not really get consistent results. Im kean to see if things changed.
 
Anton41Beukes said:
I will try to do some testing on Tops in the future. Cliff use to not really get consistent results. Im kean to see if things changed.
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I remember reading his results on the Steel Eagle. The teeth were brittle, i believe that example did he a poor heat treat. I’m also an avid Busse collector, I absolutely love SR-101 in a saber or flat grind.
 
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