Entrek Sub-hilt Silhouette

[Azrael31]

Another sub-hilt I would like an opnion on. lol, im really a noob to all this so sry if I ask stupid questions, but is 440C an acceptable steel? I use AUS-8 all the time, and I like VG-10 but I havent really tested enough to know much about other steels.

 

[orthogonal1]

I don't like 440C, myself. I believe IF it is heat treated right, it's okay.

But in this day and age, I'd rather spend my cash on what I perceive as better steels.

I've heard good things as regards VG-10, sharpened a couple knives with it, and thought it better than 440C.

For a while there, I liked AUS-8, but the last few I've dealt with didn't seem as good.

But, perceptions change and not neccessarily the facts.

I can't wait to see the discussion.

BTW - approx. $200 seems a mite much.

 

[Azrael31]

Thanks for your input on the steel. I normally prefer carbon steels over stainless, but I am having trouble finding what I am looking for. The Entrek really doesnt seem to be worth the $, considering its made out of lower level steel, with an aluminum gaurd. Entreks 440C is sub-zero stablized, which I have heard helps a lot. It probably isnt too bad, but I dont think it will compare to a lot of other steels that I can find cheaper. The sheath it comes with is supposedly junk as well, though I have heard nothing but good about the knife itself. My problem is that I am looking for a sub-hilt under a reasonable price range (around $170) but am not impressed with what I have found. I need a pretty long double edged blade (around 8 inches) and it cannot have a mirror polished blade (not only do I want to avoid reflection, they scratch easy) I would have bought the CS OSS, but I am unsure of the kraton gaurd. I dont want to end up blade to blade, and have a knife cut through the gaurd into my hand. The Entrek has an aluminum gaurd, which is about the only thing that really caught my attention about it. For what I plan to use the knife for, I guess I dont really need the best steel, but I definitely need something that is going to hold up if I end up having to use it for something out of the ordinary.

-Å

 

[SpyderJon]

Well, I won't ask what you want to use this knife for, but I think Entrek is a darn good deal for a production sub-hilt. 440C is just fine for a hard-use knife if you're going to go for stainless. For truly hard-use I'd prefer forged steel (as I'm sure YOU would as well), but you're not going to find anything like that in your price range I don't think. I don't think you'd have a problem with a kraton guard, necessarily, but I don't like CS products. I have quite a few knives (even a couple of customs) that are in 440C and they've all held up quite well. I like VG10 VERY much, and it takes a keener edge (IMHO) than 440C, but for a not-great-at-anything-but-good/acceptable-at-everything kind of steel I don't believe 440C can be beat.