Big stellite/talonite knives[6"+]. What is available?

H

HJK

Moderator
Joined
Jun 30, 1999
Messages
29,070
We've talked about talonite, talonite versus stellite 6k and all that. The concensus seemed to be that stellite 6k probably is superior to talonite in some respects [Kit Carson, I defer to you], but both materials when used in a big knife for chopping and other high impact or torque may be susceptible to deformation or rolling of the edge.
I hope I have that right. I'm sure Cliff will correct me.
Anyway, I still think there is a place for larger talonite/stellite knives of blade length 6 inches and up. But these, insofar as what is actually being made or availablke, are few and far in between, from what I can see. And I've looked. Obviously, cost is a very big factor. The stuff is expensive - especially in Canada.

So, what is actually available out there? And what do you think of talonite versus stellite and using either in a longer knife?
 
HJK,

You hit the nail on the head. COST! At $200 a pound (compare that to ATS-34 at $10 per pound), it can get very price very quick.
Couple that with the extra time it takes to work the material. Helps to deter both maker and buyer from using Stellite for a blade.

Stellite has it's place and is an excellent choice for certain environments.

However, for most buyers the cost is just to prohibative.

An 1/8 folder blade adds about $100 to the cost of the knife.

The Chinook that Rob Simonich did for my Vanguard Series has a 5" blade. We are looking at a bigger blade for the next knife. But cost is a big factor.

I have never seen and edge roll on either Talonite or Stellite, but as with you I have read about it on this forum.

Personally, I like Stellite. I have Jim Hammond on tap to do some dive knives for me in Stellite. I also have a couple of other projects working that will involve Stellite and Talonite.

I agree with you, this is proabably a place for Kit or Rob to chime in. Maybe even Dr. Lathe.




------------------
Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
 
Ever since I heard of Talonite and Stellite, I've wondered just what it is that makes them so pricey. Is it just rarity/market control, or is the stuff incredibly expensive to make? Are my "neighbors" down the road in Tacoma getting filthy rich?

------------------
Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Here'a picture of two Talonite blades that fit your description. They were both made for me by Trace Rinaldi. The smaller Warhawk with a 6+ inch blade is on the top and the Armageddon at 10 1/2 inches is below. Pricey? Naaah!! At a little over $400 for the Warhawk and $650 for the Armageddon, they weren't exactly cheap. In the end, though, the only difference in the price over a standard model was the price of the Talonite. But, then, you can pay as much or more for a steel knife, from some makers, that still won't have the properties of Talonite.
Charlie
View
 
Those are all nice knives!
Les, my Simonich Chinook Vanguard is a beauty, but I need something a little bigger too. I know that whenever I buy something or have it made you usually come out with something better a few weeks later. What is your expected timing like on the bigger cobalt blades?
HD, those are exactly what I was asking about. I asked Trace about the Tempest. Is that much different than the Warhawk? How have these big blades stood up to actual use?
Don, is there a reason why you haven't done bigger talonite knives? Is it cost, the pain in the @ss of grinding that much talonite, or something else?
 
It's something else. I have decided that for now, anyway, I am going to concentrate on making the finest small, non-folding pocket knives that I can make. I do make an occasional larger blade, but it is not where my heart is.

I love straight knives, and I love pocket knives, and see no reason why the two can't go together ....so, that's what I'm doing.

Don Cowles
www.cowlesknives.com
 
The place where I could see Talonite or Stellite really providing a tangible difference in actual use is either in the kitchen or in a speciallized environment like salt water. I have a stellite folder on order and would not be afraid to use it for light duty in the office but, I would not want to use it against staples and such (I'd use a cheap disposable knife for that). It is nice to have a knife that cuts forever when used against cardboard and similar material but, how often do I need touch up the edges on my 154CM knives?

Personally, in a big knife, I generaly think of field use which means chopping, digging, prying, etc. With that in mind, even disregarding the cost issue, I want something with different properties, more like A-2 or CPM3V.

Stay Sharp,
Sid

[This message has been edited by Sid Post (edited 05-25-2001).]
 
HJK - can't tell you how either one of them works. I'm city bound and have never found a real use for either in the neighborhood.
wink.gif
I do live near salt water, though, and that was one reason I had them made, just in case. Basically, I'm just a collector and will probably never have a real use for most of the things I collect. Now, if I ever get a chance to get away from these city streets, that could change.
Sid - you could be right about the Talonite, but we'll never know for sure until somebody puts one of these bigger knives to hard use. Rob and Trace don't think they would fare all that badly, if made with the right edge geometry.
 
Here's a big custom U2 made for our own Cobalt by Kit Carson out of 1/4" stock, Stellite 6K. Maybe Kit or Cobalt will comment, as this one's obviously meant to be a heavy user/chopper:

View
 
Mamma Mia!! How big is that fella?
I gotta know how it performs. Maybe stellite is suitable for a chopper after all!
 
I have made quite a few big Talonite knives, with up to 8" blades. One was featurefd in an article by Tactical Knives. I have had 1 big blade come back with hunks out of the edge. The customer said he was chopping branches off a fir tree when the damage occured. I took the blade and chopped fir branches, oak 2X4's and Hickory shovel handles as hard as I could swing and was not able to damage it. I sent the blade to Ron Hood to see if he could get damage chopping and he worked it over and finally blew a chunk out of the blade chopping a frozen elk leg bone. I have seen A-2 and diff tempered 5160 blades fail on elk leg bone, so I didnt feel too bad. A well heat treated A-2 or say 5160 or ATS-34 blade will be more resistant to edge failures than Talonite or Stellite. As has been mentioned, geometry is very important in any chopper.
 
Rob,
I wish you were still making them. Maybe you and Les found a way to reduce the cost problem and make a few 6'+ blades available to your more financially circumspect admirers?
 
Rob simonich,

respectfully i would say almost nothing resist edge failure like good heat-treat low alloy stells like 5160, a2, or L6. But how do you compare the talonite edge stregth to Bg42, ATS34, an 420v ? better? In your professional opinion

thank you
martin
 
HDCharlie,

What a coincidence! I independently had Trace make me that exact same Warhawk (Tempest recurve blade w/ Warhawk handle) in 5/32" Talonite after drooling over his website for a couple of months. It is one of the fastest, purest fighters I've ever seen.

The grinds and finish on the knife are absolutely impeccable!! The point is needle sharp and the edge shaves like a razor. For a cutting blade that is not intended for chopping (I have other knives for that), it is at the top of its class. The handle is so comfortable that it just melts into your hand, but is rock solid there due to the unpolished micarta scales. The balance point is about 2/3 of the way back on the front finger index groove. The dull scales and beadblast make it nicely low profile.

The only downside to the setup, besides the price
wink.gif
, is that it came with a tactical drop sheath that rides down on your thigh. The sheath itself is very well made and up to the standard of the knife itself. It's just that I prefer high-ride sheaths for concealability, as opposed to tac low-rides. This is admittedly a very tiny nit to pick on a tremendous knife and one easily remedied by an order to Eric at On-Scene Tactical.

I can't say enough good things about the overall fit and finish of Trace's work. Absolutely top-drawer and worth the premium price. It's my first Rindaldi blade and the level of craftsmanship is so high that I'm now seriously considering one of his smaller knives without reservation.

Moderator, if this more appropriately should be in the Review forum, please feel free to move it.

Greg
 
"Moderator, if this more appropriately should be in the Review forum, please feel free to move it."

Heck no Greg
biggrin.gif
. Thanks! About all us collectors are good for is talking about the knives we have or have handled.



------------------
" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
Please don't move the post - this is where it belongs
smile.gif

I asked Trace about a similar knife in Talonite: a huge component of the price is the cost of the Talonite. Trace's work is very appealing and very well priced. I haven't been able to get around to arranging the billet. Frankly, I'm thinking about getting a wootz billet instead. A Trace Rinaldi would be a great choice. Waiting time of a few months.
But I have ordered Rob's big Talonite El Tigre from Les Robertson. A 7" Simonich talonite blade, tigerstripe no less, was too much too resist. Hopefully, around October.
A Lightfoot Predator, NightStrike or Sierra would also be great,- I love his big fixed blades- but Greg is more than a little busy and he's already doing me a favour for July. I know a Predator and a huge Carson dive knife were just sold on the forum. The Carson looked incredible.
 
I happen to know FOR A FACT that Simonichs blade failure is due to the fact that where he lives it never gets above 30 degrees below zero and the stinking stuff crystalizes and crumbles like frozen cookie dough.....In Hawaii it works WAY BETTER!!
smile.gif

P.S. Kit is in Alaska testing out my hypothesis!!
tongue.gif


------------------
http://www.mayoknives.com
John 1:14
Love is Stronger than Death!

[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 06-19-2001).]
 
Oops! I stand corrected on the request to move the thread. A round of apologies for all my friends here, please.
smile.gif
 
It was pointed out to me on another thread that Tom Mayo is showing on his site a combat knife with titanium handle that looks like it might have a blade in the 7" range. It surely does look pretty impressive.
http://www.mayoknives.com./ [go to "knives", last at bottom left]
Can anyone provide details on this knife?
Tom? Mr. Mayo?
[editing to add link, partially successful]



[This message has been edited by HJK (edited 06-20-2001).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top