ATS-55 experience

H

Haji

Joined
Feb 10, 1999
Messages
75
SOunds sorta like the Jimi Hendrix Experience...I was just curious if anyone has had an ATS-55 blade long enough to form an opinion as to how it performs. I have an ATS-34 blade, which I love. It seems the one ATS-55 blade I sharpened for a customer (Delica 98 PSBK) took an edge really fast and polished up nicely. I was impressed, even though I hate doing partial serrated blades. I could use some input to pass along to customers.

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September 1997 I headed to Alaska with 3 friends for a 12 day excursion on the Kobuk River to hunt caribou, moose and black bear. In my gear I brought along a newly purchased Goddard Lightweight (ATS-55 blade).

The knife was used to "disassemble" 3 caribou (less caping), flesh out capes, cut rope and meal preparation tasks. The blade held a good edge but was touched up several times on a DMT coarse diamond stone during this period. And the majority of the time spent touching up the blade was during the job of fleshing capes which is really better suited for a scapel.

A couple of rust spots developed on the blade during this period which I find completely acceptable given the conditions the knife was subjected to. Those conditions were constant rain and contact with salt (for the capes).

I have however since switched to the Tim Wegner model for these tasks but because of design not necessarily steel type.
 
Sounds like excellent performance to me. Congrats on your success, too. I just talked to a guy today who was looking for a fixed blade knife to take to Africa on safari. He had commented that he had used a 440-C bladed Gerber on a large Whitetail and had to sharpen it before he was half way done. I've also had customers tell me they've had rust spotting on ATS-34 blades, but mine has never had that problem. Either I'm lucky or my hands don't sweat, apparently.

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I've been using a Delica-98 with ATS-55 since they arrived, and I've had no problems. I think this is a good cost-effective steel that is excellent for cheaper daily carry knives.

I assume it's my technique, but I've found the ATS-55 more difficult to put an edge on than ATS-34. And no rusting on my end, despite using it for everything short of what would damage the blade.
 
I've got a Cricket with the Ats-55 and it is another great steel. I used it to cut thru about 40 pieces of bamboo, all about 1" diameter or so, that were growing over my garbage can enclosure. The blade was still cutting easily when I finished, although it was no longer shaving sharp. I'm sure the serrations helped somewhat, but after I touched up the edge on my Sharpmaker (fine grit only), it was right back to "scary" sharp. I have tried other tests with this tiny blade with similar results, I think the steel has a lot to do with the great results, the rest I put down to a great blade shape.
 
Haji

I haven't used ATS55 extensively yet but my initial impressions are good. I, too, have had good luck sharpening it and the feedback from my customers who have it is all good.

I had one customer who said that he called Spyderco and talked to someone there who told him that ATS55 wasn't as good as G2 (GIN1). I don't know who he talked to or if it is even true. He might have misunderstood or could have been pulling my leg. He was negotiating for a G10 Policemodel and may have been trying to drive the price down. It didn't work.

As for sharpening the partially serrated blades, use the sharpmaker. That's what it was designed for and it works. Use the white stones and moderate pressure. You'll see. Of course, this is assuming that you don't use it already. If you do, then I guess it's back to the drawing board. Good luck.

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Thanks for listening!
wrightknife@ixpres.com
 
Are you the same Wright from Wright Sporting Goods in La Mesa? I use the Sharpmaker extensively, and am very familiar with it's capabilities. What I meant about the 50/50 blade was that the best edge is the hardest to get. I find that I get the best results by sharpening the serrations only on the beveled side, and then removing the burr that is created. I sharpen the conventional edge by alternating strokes on the fine rods, which is usually sufficient. Some people are really rough on their gear, so I'll take more drastic measures, like thinning the edge on diamond stones. If you look at a brand new 50/50 blade you'll see that the edges don't follow the same line all the way down the blade. The serrations are offset. I've tried a lot of different methods, but this seems to give the best results. It's also a bigger pain in the butt to do, and time is money. I bet the guy who told your customer that GIN-1 was better probably worked for Merlo's. From the little experience I've had with it so far, it seems to be a big improvement over the old steel. Now if I could just convince my co-workers that Benchmade isn't all that...

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Yeah, it's me, and thats Wright KNIFE & Sporting Goods...you are doing it right with the sharpmaker, by the way. Of course, you probably already knew that.

You are right about the serrations being somewhat offset on some knives but I'm not sure about thinning the edge. It won't stay sharp as long if you go too far. the original angle is good, especially on the Spydercos. Making them uniform makes sense for future sharpening though.

You mean you don't work for M****'s???
wink.gif
and no, the customer wasn't from there either. He said that he had talked to some lady at Spyderco. I also think that ATS55 will turn out to be a better steel. Doesn't matter, though, 'cause it looks like its here to stay.

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Thanks for listening!
wrightknife@ixpres.com


[This message has been edited by Dennis Wright (edited 10 March 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Dennis Wright (edited 11 March 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Dennis Wright (edited 11 March 1999).]
 
I did work for Merlo's, but luckily they fired me. Sorry I oopsed your name. Actually, I work for that other shop around the corner from you, in Grossmont Center. I'm not sure if I'll catch heat for saying that's where I work...Oh, well, there's always other jobs. It's the Cutler's Cupboard. A number of my regular customers are saying less than favorable things about our "competition", which they deserve. OK, enough ranting!

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A flute with no holes is not a flute, but a donut with no holes, is a danish.
 
I have Civilian over year now and no single complain about ats-55 ,easy to resharp (sereted),keeps adge- only positive felings.
 
I have the C16 in 55 and it is without a doubt about the easiest knife I have ever owned to keep sharp and stay sharp. I have had the knife for about 6wks now(?) and have used it from everything from opening boxes at work(paper boxes) to cutting packing straps, to slicing a dicing food. The edge comes back very easily and hair poppin every single time. As a matter of fact I have sharpened it only once, and that is only because my wife used it to cut a steak and she was cranking on the knife edge and gliding along the plate the steak was on. You know talking and cutting at the same time and back and forth etc. I am thinking of getting the larger Wegner or Starmate. I have owned several higher end folding knives from reputable makers and truthfully none came close to the C16 for edgeholding and ergonomics and down right simplicity. Keep'em sharp
 
There's a bit of a running debate in the shop I work at re: Spyderco vs. Benchmade. I'm one of two guys that carry a Spyderco-a titanium Police mod.-and everone else carries some model of the "other company". A customer brought in a B.M. Sentinel to be sharpened, which had a lot of loose screws in it. I made a comment about having to have loose screws to buy one, which set off a whole debate, which got heated in a good natured way. Basically, I won, since my Police is all pinned, which don't come loose. I think Benchmade makes a hell of a fine knife, especially comparing the quality of materials to cost, which I think they have an advantage over Spyderco in the area of. I just don't like liner locks, mostly cuz they're fat. I agree, though, this new ATS-55 may make people forget about ATS-34. Now if we could just get it from Crucible Steel instead of Hitachi...
 
Haji

Hey, no problem with CC. It's a good outfit. I send customers over there when they are looking for something I don't carry, like kitchen cutlery, etc., and they don't want to wait for me to order it. I have no qualms about spreading the wealth, especially with a class act.

As for ATS 55 replacing ATS 34, I really don't think it will get to that. 55 is a good steel and it has it's following, but 34 has the name recognition, and it isn't proprietary, like 55 is to Spyderco. ATS 34 wil be around for a long time.

Nothing wrong with fat knives. They fit my hand better and I have seen a lot more lockbacks fail than linerlocks. Now the rolling lock, thats another story. I have NEVER seen one of those fail, and I have been selling them for over a year now. That is quite a lock, especially with the new side release. I will be real happy to see Spyderco's version of this lock...If we all live that long. Seems like a loooong time between anouncement and execution with these guys. Starmates anyone????

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Only Sharp Knives are Interesting!
wrightknife@ixpres.com

 
Bob "T" Starmate is CPM440V and is shipping next week. only 6 months late? But very nice!
sal
 
Hi Dennis!
Thanks for the compliment. I've been refering people to your shop re: the Benchmade Emersons. Hope they're going to see you. I think you may be right about the ATS-34 having the recognition, but lately the gap seems to be narrowing. I seem to get very favorable responses from customers when I can explain the differences. A lot of people are starting to take a big interest in Microtech now-including me!-because of the American made steel. Hey, Sal, any chance of a G-10 handle with a 154CM blade made in Colorado? I know, fewer sku's, not more...

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A flute with no holes is not a flute, but a donut with no holes, is a danish.
 
Sal
Thanks for he update on the Starmate. I have a running bet with a few distributors on when they will actually hit the street and it looks like I might win. Lots of skeptics out here.
Haji, I haven't had a lot of action on the BM Emersons, but that may be because I am charging full retail for them. Prices have been depressed on BMs for so long that sometimes I wonder if they will ever come back. That's ok though. When I'm the only one who has them............

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Only Sharp Knives are Interesting!
wrightknife@ixpres.com

 
Haji - As long as we're buying steel from Crucible for Colorado manufacture, my preference is for the CPM440V. Corrossion resistance is comparable, but edge retention is far superior.

The only real drawback to 440V is the high cost of turning that stuff into a knife. All of the qualities that provide for edge retension are simply the resistance to giving up molecules. The very same qualities that resist grinders, drills, mills, belts and buffers. I think if you're willing to endure the expense and frustrations, the CPM product provides for a superior cutting tool than the Chrome moly product (quality of each steel being equal).
sal
 
Thanx Sal! Will we be seeing more CPM440V from Spyderco? A lot of my customers gravitiate to Benchmade and others because they're American made. A lot of people have been really pleased to see that there's some stuff made in Golden. The only down side is that we've sold out again! I saw a Calypso that one of my regulars bought from a local distributor. How does VG-10 compare to ATS-55 and CPM440V? Seems somewhat similar to them, based on the elemental chart in the pocket catalog. Thanks also for doing those, they're a great selling aid!

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A flute with no holes is not a flute, but a donut with no holes, is a danish.
 
Haji - The US made stuff will all go to 440V over the next year or so. Of course, we're alwys looking for a better performer. That is our niche.

ATS-55 and VG-10 are very close. They both have 1.00+% Carbon and similar Chrome. We're still testing (diffeent grinds, edge angles, teeth and toothless, Rockwell, etc. Both will get very sharp. Edge retention is very close. VG-10 might have a slight edge in Corrosion resistance. Seem to be about equal in toughness.

CPM-440V is probably slightly down on the corrosion resistance of the three. 440V will get very sharp because of the very even grain structure. Toughness is as good or better, but rockwell is more critical. However in ege retension, 440V seems to have a considerable edge (pardon the pun).
sal
 
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