Frost and its Rockwell Testing

T

Toby G

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Jun 14, 2010
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I searched the archives to no avail. I'm sure Cutlery Corner is well known in these parts and I know junk when I see it, especially when you can get 120 knives for a $100. (that's a clue) My question is about the Rockwell testing stickers. Are they bogus? I read on different blog that these so-called rockwell tested knives come in around 50, much lower that the purported 56-58 they spout.

I am suspicious about both claims. (the blog and CC)

I understand that 440A comes in at 56 if done with an excellent heat treat. (http://www.suppliersonline.com/propertypages/440a.asp)

440C can hit around 60 (http://www.westyorkssteel.com/440C.html)

So what the story with Cutlery Corner? Is it 50 and false advertising, or are they really testing at 56 using 420J2 steel?
 
Hi,

A good heat treat on 440A can be run to 56-58Rc. With most that I have personally tested from various cutlers coming in right at 57Rc. Though many have been at 58Rc, I seldom find one as soft as 56Rc. But this is from good makers.

I have one Frost's Steel Warrior slip-joint. The sticker said 56-57Rc. It did test out at 57Rc for me. And another blade in the same knife tested at 53Rc.:thumbdn: But many of my Rough Rider slippies are 58Rc and they act harder than the Steel Warrior.

Things to remember. Heat treatment isn't exact. You can't make every blade exactly the same hardness. Nor does every Hardness tester read exactly the same. This is why hardness is always specified as a range, like 56-58Rc. And when reading spec sheets like you linked you need to be aware that what is a proper hardness for one application may not be correct for another application.

dalee
 
Thanks Dalee,

This is what I suspected: The Rockwell test only apply to the specific blade that has the sticker.

Sad thing is, there are some decent economy brands out there that are worth the $10-$15 you're going to pay but Tom O'Dell and Co. are enough to scare anyone away from an inexpensive import because of stunts like this.
 
Hi,

Well, yes and no. I suspect that the soft blade on that Steel Warrior was more a QC problem than anything. It's still a usable tool. I know several people who have a Frost brand knife and they are well satisfied with them. I think I just got one with a bad blade.

The little sticker is really nothing more than a marketing gimmick. No different than the File&Wire Tested motto by Schatt and Morgan or the Case XX Tested.

I don't think Tom O'Dell will ruin any market niche for anyone else, (he may well ruin his own company if he doesn't deliver a decent product). There will always be a market for inexpensive knives.

dalee
 
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