Changing Times

sabre cat

sabre cat

Joined
Jul 4, 2014
Messages
6,191
As I have gotten older, my knife needs have changed. Lighter, thinner knives with better blade steel, seem to be the norm for me now.

How have your needs for a knife changed through the years?
 
After carrying M4 and cpm 20cv, it's hard to carry 440c.

Typically thin blades as well.

I like to find folders that have more colorful handles. Tired of the tactical look. Wish Emerson would make an affordable A-100 in any color but black.
 
I went the other way sabre cat, as I got older I use less brute strength and more gravity in yard craft or horticulture usage. A Satu or Praetorian works well for me outdoors. CQC7, PM2 or Sebenza 25 are favorites indoors or lighter duty cutting.
 
Mister X said:
I went the other way sabre cat, as I got older I use less brute strength and more gravity in yard craft or horticulture usage. A Satu or Praetorian works well for me outdoors. CQC7, PM2 or Sebenza 25 are favorites indoors or lighter duty cutting.
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Interesting.

I can see the need for heavy knives in some yard work. I hate yard work and it really shows when you look at my yard. I am expecting a visit from my Home Owners Association any day now because of it.

Your indoor favorites made me smile. On paper, the CQC7 is one of my favorites also. Same for the PM2. However, there is something about each of them that keeps me from pulling the trigger. The Sebenza, however, is another story. I have to keep telling myself that I don't need a small Insingo.
 
sabre cat said:
As I have gotten older, my knife needs have changed. Lighter, thinner knives with better blade steel, seem to be the norm for me now.

How have your needs for a knife changed through the years?
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Same for me... I still have some heavy folder but my EDC are much lighter and thinner than 5/8 years ago
 
Larry Turko said:
P2P said:
After carrying M4 and cpm 20cv, it's hard to carry 440c

Why? I bet if the blades weren't marked you couldn't tell the difference with a gun to your head.
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I guarantee I could. I could probably tell with just my ceramic stone and diamond loaded strop. Not the actual alloy but certainly the class.

I've got lots of both ends of the spectrum and I definitely can tell a difference and prefer the harder and carbide rich steels.
 
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P2P said:
After carrying M4 and cpm 20cv, it's hard to carry 440c

Why? I bet if the blades weren't marked you couldn't tell the difference with a gun to your head.
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Oh yeah you can. I didn't think so until I got used to M4 and ZDP-189 and CPM-S110V. Now whenever I use steels that are not "exotic" I can tell.

Like anything, it just takes time and you learn.
 
Larry Turko said:
P2P said:
After carrying M4 and cpm 20cv, it's hard to carry 440c
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Why? I bet if the blades weren't marked you couldn't tell the difference with a gun to your head.
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The proof is in the pudding. I doubt you could tell the difference by looking at them, but I have noticed a difference in using different steels. 440C doesn't seem to stay sharp as long and is easier to sharpen. Just picking up a knife and using it I couldn't tell the difference. I would have to use it for a while.
 
I have a particular size of folder that I like and have stuck to it generally for the last 5 years or so. What I notice is that when I decide to carry a smaller knife instead of one of my regulars, I'm not complaining to myself anymore. So, I guess my knife needs are changing too.
 
I used to look to the newer steels, but as I get older, i don't feel the need to stroke my ego 440C is an excellant steel and works as well in normal use as any new "super" steels. A few passes on a stick or stone and my AUS8 or 440C blade is good as new.
 
Same here, the older I get the knives I carry get smaller. My main EDC for some time now has been some flavor of the Spyderco Dragonfly II. I'm really liking my HAP40 in particular. I'm no steel snob though, anything AUS 8 and above meets my cutting needs.
 
David Lowry said:
Oh yeah you can. I didn't think so until I got used to M4 and ZDP-189 and CPM-S110V. Now whenever I use steels that are not "exotic" I can tell.

Like anything, it just takes time and you learn.
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I'm not really a steel enthusiast (for lack of a better term) anymore, but I sure can tell that s110v. It goes on and on and on. Great for cutting insulation, it usually sticks it out. My change has been from primarily modern to traditionals, pretty big change actually, it's a whole different world.
 
Larry Turko said:
Why? I bet if the blades weren't marked you couldn't tell the difference with a gun to your head.
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Anyone with basic observation skills absolutely could. Have the person slice up a few cardboard boxes and see which knife is still shaving sharp. Spoiler alert: it won't be the 440C knife.
 
David Lowry said:
Oh yeah you can. I didn't think so until I got used to M4 and ZDP-189 and CPM-S110V. Now whenever I use steels that are not "exotic" I can tell.

Like anything, it just takes time and you learn.
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This. Nowadays, all of my carry knives are higher end steels. I don't like having to touch up knives after every single use.
 
P2P said:
After carrying M4 and cpm 20cv, it's hard to carry 440c

Why? I bet if the blades weren't marked you couldn't tell the difference with a gun to your head.
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440C vs. M4. I know where I'll place my bet.

After stripping Romex,, destroying thick plastic containers, chewing up zip ties, etc. There is no comparison. However 440C may suit a lot of guys no doubt. These are my tastes, and steel variants go further than simple marketing hype.

M4 just takes an edge better as well with my ceramics and strops. But YMMV.

Of coarse Heat Treat plays a big part.
 
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