Definition of knife description

K

Kevin the grey

Joined
Aug 26, 2005
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I,m having a discussion on another forum. A point came up as to the type of metal in the cold steel spike tanto . It says 420 sub zero quenched What exactly does it mean and is there an indication as to the type/quality of the metal in the description ?. This is on a knife principally meant for puncturing though I will prabably just use it for throwing .
 
I wouldn't use it for throwing. The steel tended to bend easy.

I would also be careful about hard stabs. I wouldn't trust that handle too much for slide prevention.
 
Three points:
1) 420 is way down the list of good knife steels, most knifemaking supply places don't even sell it.
2) The Spike is too light for throwing. A book I have recommends 1.25-1.5 oz per inch of length (and they recommend 12-16 inch length)
3) I own one too. I think that some aspects of the geometry are interesting, but I'd like to beef it up and improve the handle if I make one similar.
 
It is too bad that such a fine looking knife would be made from such an inferior metal . I agree that there is not enough handle purchase to want to stab something that was very hard . As far as throwing is concerned ? The lightness of it doesn,t bother me . I find the weight more than adequate . I am actually looking at buying some canvas makers needles for throwing which weigh almost nothing by comparison . I have thrown everything from crowbars to screwdrivers .
(they won,t let me in that hardware store anymore ! ) L:O:L
I betcha I could even throw a tantrum !
 
I agree with you Kevin when it comes to throwing. There's two schools of thought for throwing. There's the more popular one that calls for a larger weight forward design where you try to throw it as flat and straight as possible. There's also the technique of using smaller lighter blades that are more centrally balanced and having them flip in the air to keep momentum, which is my preference. Anyhoo, like people said, the 420 isn't the best steel, but for throwing I think it should be ok, it might bend on a bad throw but that's better then breaking, and you can just bend it back. I don't know if 420 responds well to cryo, but if it does then it should be better then the typical 420 junker knives that don't bother to do the cryo. If the 420 doesn't respond well then it's just something for hype, unfortunately I don't know, maybe Kevin Cashen or Mete will put their thoughts in here.
 
I understand Buck used 420 in many of their blades. It's big strength was predictable machineablity, heat treat results and finishing. 90% of users would never know the difference between a 440A blade and an s30V blade. (Field dress a deer once a year - sharpen it - put it away). If you can make 90% of the people happy with a product that's cheap to buy and easy to work - why not? I don't know of any makers who use it, simply because people come to us for something a little better.

Having said all that, for your purpose, you have little need for edge retention. Repeatably predictable grain structure is a desireable characteristic. Maybe it makes sense.

As for the quench, sub zero could mean the household freezer - which would offer no performance benefit. Done properly, again, it should offer improved structure and toughness.

Maybe Mete will weigh in on this one.

Rob!
 
I realise that a knife profile like that is eye candy . I appreciated its looks . I saw the advantage it had along with its limitations . Aside from keeping a grip on the handle it looked like a great puncturing tool and maybe a neat thrower .
i wanted to explore its abilities . Although it is not an expensive knife I am not fond of pushing a knife beyond its limits to find out just what its limits are . Actually as I sharpen my own knives edge retension is important to me . One of the avenues I wish to explore is just how I would sharpen such a blade ?
for the most part I think it will be relegated to throwing duty with an EDC rotation possibility if it holds up .
 
It depends on what comes after the 420?
Is 420 J2...420 HC...???420V????
420J2 is ......... about like 410ss.
420HC with cryo can be hardened to 54-58 rc. Somewhere between aus6 and aus8.

So it may be a good idea to take a look at what 420 it is.
 
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