- Joined
- Dec 10, 2017
- Messages
- 830
What about M390 or 690? I see a lot of the Bradfords have that steel
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Do it all fixed blade
- Thread starter Sbs1974
- Start date
- Status
Better for smaller blades that aren't going to see impact chores
ferider
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2018
- Messages
- 13,850
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2017
- Messages
- 830
I see the Carothers several have mentioned uses Delta 3V steel. Never ever heard of that one. Boy I have a lot to learn about fixed blades and steel
ferider
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2018
- Messages
- 13,850
It's CPM 3V treated with a special ("Delta") heat protocol, making it tougher / more wear and corrosion resistant. I'm a fan !
Roland.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2017
- Messages
- 830
UPDATE : Well I ordered a Carothers already. I watched some vids of his and also read some reviews and things and decided I needed one. He had a few Kepharts in stock so I chose black linen micarta handles and D3V steel. It was a little more then I wanted to spend but ($263 shipped) well that’s the way it goes. I will still be buying at least 1 other brand as well to start with and more along the way I’m sure. I’m still open to suggestions although seems some great ones have already been made
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2021
- Messages
- 9,918
Congratulations; you made a great choice!
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2018
- Messages
- 680
White River and Carothers are excellent top tier choices as well if you want quality. Easily two of the best fixed blade companies out there today.
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2018
- Messages
- 680
You made probably the best choice honestly. If I were a wealthy man,
Nathan the Machinist
would have a special area in my house dedicated to him 
cmfkdragoon
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2020
- Messages
- 564
I'm so happy to have read this thread to learn that CPK kepharts were in stock. Count me in!
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,678
I finally found the "one" perfect fixed bade for my rather casual duty. I love my White River Pack Knife.
Sendero Pack
whiteriverknives.com
Carothers is always a fine choic.e....have had two of them. Also, I am proud of my SurviveKnives in 3V in model 4.1. You can often find them on the exchange here in as-new condition.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,678
I think you found the right guy...
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2021
- Messages
- 9,918
He built "Big Tiny" last year for me...
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2000
- Messages
- 1,926
The Carothers will serve you well.
I think you can round this up and make it to a homestead's version of a Nessmuk trio by adding a 3.5-4" Mora for detail work and backup and also a hatchet. I suggest the Council Tool Flying Fox hatchet, because it has a hardened poll, so you will have a hatchet and a hammer in a single tool. Alternatively, you can get the Vaughan half hatchet: the same combo, but the thinner blade is more suited for carving than for splitting. Of course a saw would cut wood even faster, but you cannot drive nails with it.
Correct me if I'm wrong:
"cutting boxes, cutting twine or rope, cutting up other things, no heavy use like logs." Sounds like you need a good cutter / slicer, toughness is on a lower priority?
If that is true, you should rule out stuff like Esee in 1095, or anything built with toughness as a high priority. Because you are looking for high wear resistance / edge retention and a fine edge.
In terms of edge geometry, toughness vs. wear resistance is always a trade-off. Thinner knife with 18 DegreesPerAngle will cut much longer than thicker knife w/ 22 DPS, while 22 DPS will be much tougher than 18 DPS. You cannot have both.
In terms of steel, there are steels that have both great wear resistance and great toughness. Most of them are non-stainless, though, with MagnaCut being the only exception (that I know of).
I wouldn't recommend M390 / 20CV. They have good wear resistance, however they're notoriously difficult to sharpen. If you plan to use the knife you will need to sharpen it yourself sooner or later. And they're not that tough, If you get them in a fine edge you can chip them quite easily.
One great option I can think of would be the Spyderco Mule Team MT35 Magnacut:
1, It's a very thin full flat grind. At only 0.118 inch, it's a far superior cutter than any of those 0.2 inch fixed blades.
2, MagnaCut is a fantastic steel. It's performs like a CPM-M4 or CPM Cru-wear, which are very good in both wear resistance and toughness. However, while M4 and CW are non-stainless, MagnaCut is so stainless that it's the next gen salt water steel for Spyderco.
The only drawback (which is a massive drawback): It's WAYYY too expensive for what it is. The MSRP is $75, however it's a sprint run (all Spyderco MTs are sprint runs). The current market price would be around $200, and it does NOT come with handle scales or sheath (MTs are built for knife makers to test different steels). That's just insane. With a custom sheath and handles it will be in the $300s.
Alternatively, you can get a Mako PG in MagnaCut from Creely Blades for less than $300. It does come with really nice leather sheath and ergo handle.
However, Creely is a custom maker, you'd have to wait 7 months for it.
"cutting boxes, cutting twine or rope, cutting up other things, no heavy use like logs." Sounds like you need a good cutter / slicer, toughness is on a lower priority?
If that is true, you should rule out stuff like Esee in 1095, or anything built with toughness as a high priority. Because you are looking for high wear resistance / edge retention and a fine edge.
In terms of edge geometry, toughness vs. wear resistance is always a trade-off. Thinner knife with 18 DegreesPerAngle will cut much longer than thicker knife w/ 22 DPS, while 22 DPS will be much tougher than 18 DPS. You cannot have both.
In terms of steel, there are steels that have both great wear resistance and great toughness. Most of them are non-stainless, though, with MagnaCut being the only exception (that I know of).
I wouldn't recommend M390 / 20CV. They have good wear resistance, however they're notoriously difficult to sharpen. If you plan to use the knife you will need to sharpen it yourself sooner or later. And they're not that tough, If you get them in a fine edge you can chip them quite easily.
One great option I can think of would be the Spyderco Mule Team MT35 Magnacut:
1, It's a very thin full flat grind. At only 0.118 inch, it's a far superior cutter than any of those 0.2 inch fixed blades.
2, MagnaCut is a fantastic steel. It's performs like a CPM-M4 or CPM Cru-wear, which are very good in both wear resistance and toughness. However, while M4 and CW are non-stainless, MagnaCut is so stainless that it's the next gen salt water steel for Spyderco.
The only drawback (which is a massive drawback): It's WAYYY too expensive for what it is. The MSRP is $75, however it's a sprint run (all Spyderco MTs are sprint runs). The current market price would be around $200, and it does NOT come with handle scales or sheath (MTs are built for knife makers to test different steels). That's just insane. With a custom sheath and handles it will be in the $300s.
Alternatively, you can get a Mako PG in MagnaCut from Creely Blades for less than $300. It does come with really nice leather sheath and ergo handle.
However, Creely is a custom maker, you'd have to wait 7 months for it.
A smachet sword?
He had a few in stock??? Am I late for the party?
IMO Carothers in D3V is great, great knife for literally anyone to own. It may fit your use it may not, but you will not regret it. They're just so nice and D3V is definitely a steel worth owning.
- Status