DragonFly Salt Hollow Ground?

[precisionshootist]

Ok maybe this has been asked but I can't find anything. Why the hollow grind on the Salt version of the Dragonfly instead of the usual FFG?
I see the thread about a FFG Endura with H1 and some stating that machining costs would be an issue. Is there a technical reason? If it was machining cost it seems like even the saber ground salts would be a lot more expensive than the the same knives in VG-10. How is the performance for those that own both?

Thanks,
Precision

 

[yablanowitz]

The hollow saber grind is done on both sides at once, so the H-1 work hardens evenly. Flat grinding is done on one side at a time, so when the first side is completed, the steel is much harder for the second side. The abrasives wear faster and the heat buildup can cause the blade to warp. Regrinds are done slowly, alternating sides and cooling frequently. This works fine for custom work, but it is not economically feasible in a production environment. And H-1 is very expensive steel to begin with, hence the re-use of existing molds for the handles of all the Salt series folders.

As far as performance goes, in plain edge VG-10 smokes H-1 in edge retention, although H-1 is much tougher and stain resistant. In serrated edges, I find the extra toughness of H-1 allows it to perform better than VG-10, which seems rather prone to shedding teeth in use.

 

[precisionshootist]

yablanowitz:

Thank you! Excellent explanation. That makes perfect sense. I don't have any of the Salt series with a straight edge which is what I will go for with the Dragonfly Salt. I would assume your explanation would be the same answer to the other poster asking about the possibility of a FFG Endura in H1.


Precision

 

[yablanowitz]

Yes, that's why I asked if they would be willing to pay 150 dollars for one, because that's what I estimate they would sell for. I guess I need to find the post where Sal gave us this information and bookmark it so I don't have to keep typing it over and over.