Ever receive the wrong kind of steel ? ( cs instead of ss...ect )

[Hickory n steel]

Most companies will stamp their blades with an identifier of either carbon or stainless steel, but not every company does and I have a few that aren't.

Whenever I buy a carbon steel knife either brand new or nos that's not marked I always worry that I may have accidentally gotten a stainless blade, whether there could have been a mixup at the factory or the dealer / seller made a mistake in their listing I just worry till a little use shows me.

Years ago I bought a stainless steel knife that was supposed to be 1095 and to this day I still worry, especially when I'm most used to the new blades being SS and the CS blades most often being used vintage knives with patina.
I got this small brass mercator in today and had a bit of worry until I had my daily apple and the steel revealed itself to me.


Does anyone else ever worry about this ?
Of course if you don't go through reputable dealers it's likely a bigger concern, but mistakes can happen.

 

[Jack Black]

I once received a knife from a particularly stupid UK dealer. It was listed on his site as 'High carbon steel', but when it arrived, it had 'Inox' clearly stamped on the blade. Having had no previous dealings with the guy, I assumed he'd simply made a mistake, and contacted him to tell him the knife was stainless. I received a rather rude, and extremely pompous reply, informing me that the knife was not stainless, but rather Inox!

 

[Hickory n steel]

I once received a knife from a particularly stupid UK dealer. It was listed on his site as 'High carbon steel', but when it arrived, it had 'Inox' clearly stamped on the blade. Having had no previous dealings with the guy, I assumed he'd simply made a mistake, and contacted him to tell him the knife was stainless. I received a rather rude, and extremely pompous reply, informing me that the knife was not stainless, but rather Inox!

I don't understand how you can sell knives without knowing what inox means.
Especially in Europe and such.

I know the term " High carbon " can mean different things to different people these days, and the term " high carbon stainless " can cause some confusion, but if it says on the blade then only a mistake or an idiot can be responsible for the customer receiving otherwise.

 

[Jack Black]

I don't understand how you can sell knives without knowing what inox means.
Especially in Europe and such.

I know the term " High carbon " can mean different things to different people these days, and the term " high carbon stainless " can cause some confusion, but if it says on the blade then only a mistake or an idiot can be responsible for the customer receiving otherwise.

That was nearly 10 years ago, and the guy is still doing it! Not just confusing stainless and carbon, but giving other inaccurate steel info. Obviously, I have some experience of UK dealers, and unfortunately, most of them know almost nothing about what they're selling, and have no interest in learning

 

[Bartleby]

Camillus used to occasionally sell seconds that were mixed stainless and carbon blades in the same knife. I had a stockman back in the 90's with delrin handles that was one of those. I too recieved a carbon Mercator "cat" knife when ordering stainless several years ago. I think that sometimes sellers don't check them very closely when shipping them. If they handle both carbon and stainless they would need to be attentive not to have a mix up, as closed they don't appear different until there is some discoloration (especially when bulk packaged). I later ordered one of the all stainless silver Otters when they first appeared, much easier to differentiate from a distance!

 

[Hickory n steel]

Camillus used to occasionally sell seconds that were mixed stainless and carbon blades in the same knife. I had a stockman back in the 90's with delrin handles that was one of those. I too recieved a carbon Mercator "cat" knife when ordering stainless several years ago. I think that sometimes sellers don't check them very closely when shipping them. If they handle both carbon and stainless they would need to be attentive not to have a mix up, as closed they don't appear different until there is some discoloration (especially when bulk packaged). I later ordered one of the all stainless silver Otters when they first appeared, much easier to differentiate from a distance!

Oh I ordered the carbon steel model and am glad that's actually what I got.

Very Interesting about the mix in Camillus factory seconds.
I know towards the end Schrade was putting out lots of stainless Old Timers for their Walmart contract without noting it on the packaging.
I got lucky and the 34OT I got around '05 from Walmart was carbon, but I can imagine the frustration when you know stainless was always in the Schrade + line.

 

[Jack Black]

Camillus used to occasionally sell seconds that were mixed stainless and carbon blades in the same knife. I had a stockman back in the 90's with delrin handles that was one of those. I too recieved a carbon Mercator "cat" knife when ordering stainless several years ago. I think that sometimes sellers don't check them very closely when shipping them. If they handle both carbon and stainless they would need to be attentive not to have a mix up, as closed they don't appear different until there is some discoloration (especially when bulk packaged). I later ordered one of the all stainless silver Otters when they first appeared, much easier to differentiate from a distance!

Taylor's Eye Witness marketed a penknife with one carbon blade and one stainless one. I've also seen many knives with a carbon steel blade and stainless accessory blades/tools, and of course we see knives with stainless blades and carbon steel springs.

I have a couple of Swedish Army Knives made by Frost's of Mora, and the only difference between them is the steel, as they were made in both stainless and carbon.

 

[afishhunter]

Never the wrong steel, but I did receive a partially serrated blade instead of a plain edge once.
My then boss liked that knife, so I have it to him.

I detest/loathe/despise serrated blades. Fully or partially serrated blades are a "deal murderer" for me.

Not even my bread knife has serrations. Unlike that fraud, the alleged "Chef" Tony in his infomercial, I know how to slice fresh baked bread without a serrated blade, and without crushing the bread.

(If that fat bum is a Chef, I'm a Multi-Universe/Multi Dimension Famous Theoretical Physicist ... and I sure as Hades ain't one of them!)

 

[Will Power]

When Queen Cutlery was in its death throes, it was using up parts etc and there were examples of unmarked stainless posing as carbon, likely the other way round too. I have an example of one with carbon master but no amount of fruit&veg cutting will patina its minor blade ...

 

[Just Tom.]

The seller of this had it (accurately) listed as stainless, but I bought it hoping he was wrong, and that it was actually carbon like most of the other current and past offerings from the same company.

Like these:

Or this older version of the same knife:

The overall build quality is actually way better than the older version. I’m a little disappointed in the blade material, but I shouldn’t expect too much from a dime-store knife anyway. I may go ahead and get the toothpick one next month just to complete my collection. Good thing my favorite brand is so cheap...

 

[Jack Black]

The seller of this had it (accurately) listed as stainless, but I bought it hoping he was wrong, and that it was actually carbon like most of the other current and past offerings from the same company.

Like these:

Or this older version of the same knife:

The overall build quality is actually way better than the older version. I’m a little disappointed in the blade material, but I shouldn’t expect too much from a dime-store knife anyway. I may go ahead and get the toothpick one next month just to complete my collection. Good thing my favorite brand is so cheap...

Interesting knife Tom, I've not seen those before, shame about the steel though

 

[Jolipapa]

I once ordered a Joseph Rogers rosewood barlow in a big NZ retailer, and received a Joseph Wostenholm, fake (I hope) stag, so ugly I decided to keep her. I changed of purveyor since...

 

[Jack Black]

I once ordered a Joseph Rogers rosewood barlow in a big NZ retailer, and received a Joseph Wostenholm, fake (I hope) stag, so ugly I decided to keep her. I changed of purveyor since...
View attachment 1326199

How about this one Alain, definitely one of the ugliest knives I've ever seen?!

It came in a mixed lot from the flea-market, and probably didn't cost more than £1, but I was definitely ripped-off!

 

[Jolipapa]

How about this one Alain, definitely one of the ugliest knives I've ever seen?!

It came in a mixed lot from the flea-market, and probably didn't cost more than £1, but I was definitely ripped-off!

Dead heat!
At least you knew what you were getting and had it for th right price! There must have been someone at Whostenhelm to which I would not dare to ask to decorate my flat!
Just replace motorcycle by cutlery...

 

[Jack Black]

Dead heat!
At least you knew what you were getting and had it for th right price! There must have been someone at Whostenhelm to which I would not dare to ask to decorate my flat!
Just replace motorcycle by cutlery...

I wouldn't have bought it at all if it hadn't been part of a job-lot Alain! After struggling for some years, Wostenholm were bought by Rodgers, (long ailing themselves), in the 70's. Then, both names were acquired by Richards, with the group being acquired by Imperial a couple of years later. Richards closed shop in 1982, and the names passed to a short-lived outfit called Meteor Industries, who licensed Jim Taylor to use the Wostenholm name on knives which were made in Japan. The Rodgers and Wostenholm names were then acquired by Eggington, who still own them today. Any connection between the knives which have carried the Wostenholm name for the past 40-odd years, and those made by the historic Sheffield firm in the past is completely lost I'm afraid

That looks like a very interesting read my friend, I have always meant to pick up a copy (I'll have a look now while I remember!)

 

[screened porch]

Utica used to be famous for mixing the steels in their traditional knives. I think they've discontinued the stainless trads, which should have cleared that up.

 

[hornetguy]

I once received a knife from a particularly stupid UK dealer. It was listed on his site as 'High carbon steel', but when it arrived, it had 'Inox' clearly stamped on the blade. Having had no previous dealings with the guy, I assumed he'd simply made a mistake, and contacted him to tell him the knife was stainless. I received a rather rude, and extremely pompous reply, informing me that the knife was not stainless, but rather Inox!

It's always nice when an "expert" can set you straight on just what is what....
It is much the same in the firearms retail sales industry here. You would be amazed at what I have "learned" simply by listening to the "experts" in a gun shop.

 

[black mamba]

About 15 years ago, or maybe 20, Case put out an SFO #54 trapper with cv clip and stainless spey blade etched FOR FLESH ONLY. This combo actually makes sense to me, although I still didn't buy one when I had the chance.

 

[Bartleby]

I know towards the end Schrade was putting out lots of stainless Old Timers for their Walmart contract without noting it on the packaging.

Indeed, Schrade did likewise for several big box type retailers. I purchased several USA made 34 OTs and 152OTs at Home Depot that were stainless. I recall reading on the Schrade Collecter's forum years ago that this was done because of customer returns due to rust, once blister packs replaced boxes.

The Rodgers and Wostenholm names were then acquired by Eggington, who still own them today. Any connection between the knives which have carried the Wostenholm name for the past 40-odd years, and those made by the historic Sheffield firm in the past is completely lost I'm afraid

Indeed, the white boxes used by The Egginton Group proudly use the names of Ibberson, Joseph Rodgers, and George Wostenholm as well as their own (one for each side of the box!). I have noticed on their website that one can order some models with whichever name you like (although you will likely receive whatever was closest to hand when the order gets filled!).

 

[brownshoe]

It takes carbon to be steel Carbon steel doesn't really mean not stainless except here. That Okapi is correctly labeled. In the olden days, stainless was low carbon, hence marketing men put "carbon" in front of the word "steel." Most new stainless steels are higher in carbon than "carbon" steels (e.g. M390 at 1.9% vs. GEC 1095 at 0.95%).