Edge testing : VG-10 (Spyderco / Fällkniven), D2, and CPM-10V

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Cliff Stamp

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Some initial work on the Fällkniven blades comparing them to a few others :
http://www.physics.mun.ca:80/~sstamp/knives/edge_testing_III.html

Performance is as expected with no real surprises except that they respond really well to a simple butcher steel. It will be of interest to compare the VG-10 Fällkniven and Spyderco blades alone, say the S1 and F1 vs the Moran to get a more precise estimate of relative performance.

Durability testing on those (Moran and Fällkniven) will be performed later with hard impacts on the edge to check the resistance to chipping, and the other usual tip, edge and blade resistance to strain. I might also leave them out to the elements for awhile to see if there is any significant difference in corrosion resistance.

-Cliff
 
The VG10 seems to be a very good steel, especially considering the lower hardness on the Swedish blades compared to say the D2. Lots better than the AUS8 I think it was that you previously tested. Do you think ATS34 would perform in a similar manner ?
 
Johno, the Fällkniven VG-10 compares well to the Spyderco VG-10 on soft materials which is a bit surprising because as you noted it is a bit lower on the RC scale. I have done a few comparisons but want to get a reasonable amount of data before I make a definate judgement about it.

Concerning ATS-34, it depends greatly on where it comes from. Walter Brend and Strider make ATS-34 knives and they both claim high levels of durability, including the edge. They would probably do very well. I have an old model ATS-34 F1 from Fällkniven and will have a look at it in some detail as compared to the VG-10 model this weekend, focusing on the blade steels.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,
Thank you for all your efforts in testing and evaluating different blades and steels - I always appreciate and enjoy reading your reviews. Mr. Walter Brend told me he still uses ATS-34, BUT he prefers not to, because in his opinion, he has found that the quality of it is no longer as good as it was years ago. He said that is why Microtech also switched over to 154CM. 12 years ago he had nothing but praise for ATS-34, but now that it is being so massed produced, he said the quality has taken a nose dive.
 
Hansen, thanks. Interesting point about ATS-34, I heard similar but didn't know the reasoning involved.

As a happy day my BM finally arrived so I finally have something to run the CPM-10V blade against.

-Cliff
 
Cliff:

It would appear that a retest of the VG-10 F1 with a proper edge would be in order. If you suspect a wire edge I'm surprised you even posted the test results as any results obtained have little meaning.

I like the range of materials you are testing. They offer a good variety of test opportunities.

Look forward to future results.

Tom
 
Tom :

It would appear that a retest of the VG-10 F1 with a proper edge would be in order.
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I repeat much of what I writeup, I generally don't describe this as it is after all the same thing. In the cases where a conflict happens I generally repeat the test until I resolve the matter. The F1 case specifically does need to be repeated badly as it differs significantly from the performance of the other Fällkniven blades.

If you suspect a wire edge I'm surprised you even posted the test results as any results obtained have little meaning.
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As to the edge holding abilities yes, but any information is good information as long as it is detailed enough. I tend to learn more from when experiments go wrong than when they go right in any case. Specific to the F1 with the possible wire edge - this example shows the probable influence of how a misfire during sharpening could possibly skew results.

I took the Bill Moran Featherweight a few days ago and tried to blunt it on the card stock that caused a problem with the F1. After 300 cuts on 3 pieces held together, the blade still shaved but needed a little pressure - scraping sharp.

I intend to compare in detail the S1, F1 and Featherweight in terms of edge holding and cutting ability. This part of the review was mainly just for me to get a feel for the performance of the knives and see if there were any gross performance issues not to try and and make a definate comparison on their relative abilities.

I like the range of materials you are testing. They offer a good variety of test opportunities.
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It is rather interesting how the different blades react to each material and I think it is very necessary to avoid a skewing the results. I am collecting up enough stuff now for another run.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 09 September 1999).]
 
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