Blades for salt water use

[Blade of Danu]

Evening all,
I was wondering if any of you could suggest a blade which is suitable for use in salt-water environments. I've looked at a few blades that the manufacturers say you can use but I'd like to know from people with some experience using them.


Much obliged, Rob

 

[Charlie Mike]

I'd say anything with a blade of VG-10. I personally like the Al Mar SERE 2000. If you want to go more expensive, anything with a blade made from Talonite will not rust, period.

By the way, I like your screen name. I used to practice Druidism and Danu was a cheif diety.

 

[RL]

The best blade material for salt water use is Talonite or Stellite with denridic cobalt coming in a close second...all of these materials are cobalt based alloys (not steel) so they cannot rust. They also offer numerous advantages over conventional steel such as supreme edge retention, no magnetic signature (in case you have to diffuse some bombs ), increased flex etc. Basically they can be described as "hard crystals in a soft matrix" so as you use the knife, the hard cystals become exposed acting like "micro serrations" (hence the supreme edge holding).

The only down side is cost and availability...Talonite can easily add US$125 to the cost of the knife...

RL

 

[Blade of Danu]

Cheers for the intel. Matt, I may check out the SERE, money is not an issue really. I've never heard of Talonite blades though, I might have to check them out.

Rob

 

[Blade of Danu]

RL,
You know any manufacturers that make Talonite or Stellite blades, any website or links to them would be greatly appreciated too.



Rob

 

[Charlie Mike]

I've been doing a lot of lake swimming over the summer and the SERE goes everywhere including underwater. I don't even wipe the water off and there is still no rust on the blade or the steel liners. Get a SERE, it's built like the proverbial brick shithouse and locks up like a bank vault. The quality is near custom level. Everyone should own one of these.

 

[RL]

Rob Simonich is the best person to contact for Talonite http://www.simonichknives.com/

and here is the ULTIMATE all around resource for Talonite
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/talonite.html

Many custom makers are using this "wonder material"...in fact, it has even filtered down to production knives (Camilus CUDA, EDC etc.).

Here's my custom Greg Lightfoot M1 with Stellite blade

I should be picking up something in Talonite next week

RL

 

[logan5]

Blade of Danu

Just do a search here on the forums for talonite. You will have more than enough to read.

Some of the people that quickly come to mind for talonite blades would be Camillus and there EDC (folder) or the Talon (fixed blade) for production knives (I think I read somewhere that talonite is trademarked and only sold through Camillus, you might find a Stellite knife from someone else, but I don't know of any at present). In custom, just about everybody will make one, but those known to use it are , to name only a few, Simonich, Mayo, Ralph, Duncan, Crawford, Boye and the list can go on and on and on.

 

[frank k]

Here's a link: http://www.camillusknives.com/cuada-talon.htm

 

[RL]

Originally posted by logan5
to name only a few, Simonich, Mayo, Ralph, Duncan, Crawford, Boye and the list can go on and on and on.

That is a good list....I believe Simonich is the one who started it all (or at least the one who popularized the use of Talonite)...Tom Mayo's TNT (as in Talonite 'N Titanium) is just about the "hottest" custom folder currently on the market...Darrel Ralph and his collaborations with Camillus are gaining in popularity (and getting rave reviews/awards)...Brad Duncan's Sharpfusion (ATS-34 base with Stellite cutting edge) is an interesting material as well...

Others to add to the list are Trace Rinaldi, Kit Carson, JW Smith, and Greg Lightfoot

I should add that Talonite/Stellite are great for cutting but they are not the best material for chopping/prying because of the soft matrix...so it would not make much sense to get an 8" camp knife in Talonite...the material is great for folders or smaller fixed blades intended for heavy cutting (e.g. if you want to cut rope all day).

RL