Ceramic/cera-titan/steel

[KvK]

I'm looking for a new folder. My options are: Boker Iron Man ceramic or Cera-Titan or a HK x15-TN.
is there anyone wih praktical experience. Can one cut wood with a ceramic knife? How hard in HrC is Cera-Titan. in comparison to the diferent steels?
I have an custom made fixed blade by Hill-Knives Rotterdam made of ATS-34 and I looking for a folder for when im not backpacking.

 

[kamkazmoto]

It has been my experience that ceramic blades are not that sharp and not that strong. They were made for cutting soft things, not things like wood.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Yes you can cut wood with a ceramic knife. They are very hard, much harder than steels. The only drawback is that many find them difficult to sharpen. Based on interaction I have had with users over the past few years, I would not recommend a ceramic knife unless you can sharpen a very hard and high alloy steel knife very easily (so one of the CPM grades, or M2 or something similar at 62 +HRC).

This assumes you want to sharpen it of course, you can always send it back to the manufacturer to sharpen it.

 

[Morgoth412]

Also aren't ceramics easily chipped and brittler then steel? Doesn't sound too ideal for a blade to me.

Just to let you know my oppinion, I wouldn't reccomend any of the knifemakers you are looking at. They are overpriced for what they offer, but If you are looking for a ceramic blade I guess you might be stuck with them...
-Kevin

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Yes they have little flexibility and can even break when dropped. I have seen them break in shipping.

-Cliff

 

[KvK]

While waiting for anyone to react I got a mail from one of the manutacturers. He is very explicit. He advises X.15-TN. As some of you warned ceramic is far to brittle and cera-titan has an not to be determend density/hardness. It seemed they only do fine in kitchens en and electronic environment (magnatism). So now I'm going for the X.15-TN or simular ones like d2 and ATS 34. I was holding a Gerber AR 3.5 BB and it felt perfect but I have little confidence in he steel. Tips anyone?

 

[Morgoth412]

While waiting for anyone to react I got a mail from one of the manutacturers. He is very explicit. He advises X.15-TN. As some of you warned ceramic is far to brittle and cera-titan has an not to be determend density/hardness. It seemed they only do fine in kitchens en and electronic environment (magnatism). So now I'm going for the X.15-TN or simular ones like d2 and ATS 34. I was holding a Gerber AR 3.5 BB and it felt perfect but I have little confidence in he steel. Tips anyone?

Gerber's are okay. I'm not sure what steel is in that model, but I'm sure it would be fine for your needs. If you like that knife go with it and don't worry about the steel. Most well known knife manufacturers use at least decent steel.

You might want to check out Benchmade and Spyderco if you are looking for one-hander folding knives. They are probably the two most popular knife companies on this forum.
-Kevin

 

[KvK]

In the meamtime i've narowed my demands
eaqual or harder than ATS34
3,5 blade 4,25/4,5" handle (i've got big hands) and smooth grip
droppoint plain edge
light wieght
representative
further wishes
axe/linelock
clip
black

I saw beauties form benchmade (690BC1) and william and Henry B&T 12 But they are to small. 440a and aus6 are to soft for me (sorry for the Gerber and the Beretta who felt good in my hand)
A wooden HK felt also fine but had a damast steel blade, which is expensive and not that hard.
That left the protech harkings 154-cm steelblade in several versions. But I don't know that brand. How does it hold in praktice?
Or does anyone have any tips for brands/knives I've missed
thanks
Kurt

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I guess you're looking at the Harkins ATAC Liner Lock Folder which seems to be a manual. The Harkins ATAC Double Action is an auto.

Pro-Tech makes good knives. I've got a couple of their autos myself, and handled others, and autos are trickier to do well than manuals.

Have you seen the Al Mar SERE 2000? (Scan about halfway down the page.) This is a very strong knife with a great reputation.

For a spectacular new model, the Kershaw Bump. Titanium handle, S30V blade, flipper and assisted opening.

 

[KvK]

according to an preference analisis an Pro-tech Harkins Atac would be the best choice. Allthough it is very temping to go for the double action. It is too much a difference financialy. So now I'm searching for a good deal.