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H1 Steel... Or not?

I'm not super anal about wiping them off. They can get spotty if you wait more than a few hours, but nothing bad. M4 takes overnight to get spotty from fresh water.

Either way, cleaning a bit of surface rust takes about ten seconds and you can do it when you sharpen. It really doesn't add any maintenance time.
 
The only time I've had rust problems with M4 is during the hot months of summer. I'm outside constantly and sweat like a pig, so mine would start rusting in a matter of hours. Any other time, M4 was no different than most of my stainless knives.
 
One of the greatest characteristics of the H1 Spydies like the Salt 1, Pacific Salt and Tasman when wearing lightweight swim trunks is their light weight due to the linerless design and titanium clip. I agree with the previous comments on the H1 serrated edges, they are excellent and I'm not a big fan of serrated edges in general. I tend to use the fixed bladed Caspian and Aqua Salt for kayak fishing in fresh and saltwater more than the folders but they still get plenty of use. The serrated edge hawkbill Ladybug and Tasman were real sleepers for me and they have become my favorite folders much to my surprise.
 
I got a Salt 1 SE to clip to my swim shorts or BC when I snorkel, scuba dive, and generally spend time around water or in the tropics. I like it so much it has become my main knife for travel in general. The blade was initially a little stiff, but now after a couple of years of use it is perfectly smooth with no pop or side to side play. One of the best things about the Salts is that they are incredibly lightweight, even in swim shorts, I can't feel that I'm wearing it. I've owned and sold a couple of PE Salts of various sizes, but the SE version seems to holds it's edge much, much longer, and makes it the one to keep IMO.
 
I'll probably be the only one in this thread, but I like my plain edge Salt 1 better than my SE Salt 1. Had I a newer Delica, I'd definitely carry it, but mine is worn nearly out and requires a regrind to put in back in shape, so I usually carry the plain edge Salt 1.
 
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Deal4 said:
Thanks Jim, yes I completely agree that even with this lock rock that the knives aren't coming close to disengaging, it is just a preference thing. Also a good to keep the lock area clean from dirt and lint which is about the only thing that would compromise the lock.
I guess I will be keeping my eyes open to buy a Torx construction Pacific Salt! I personally want a PE even though I hear how great the SE in H1 is.
If anyone has one they are thinking of getting rid of theirs, send me a PM!
Click to expand...

Deal4,
If you order online from a knife dealer, make sure you call beforehand to confirm they have the Salt you want with Torx construction. Even though the Salts were switched to Torx years ago, there are still a number of riveted Salts 'in the pipeline' so to speak. Of course, YMMV as far as Torx Salts/no or less blade play issue...some may have it, but so far, none of my Torx Salts have any lock rock.

Hope you enjoy whatever you choose!

Jim
 
I believe that at least one serrated H1 knife should be in everyone's stable... BTW, I'm a plain edge guy.
 
James Y said:
Deal4,
If you order online from a knife dealer, make sure you call beforehand to confirm they have the Salt you want with Torx construction. Even though the Salts were switched to Torx years ago, there are still a number of riveted Salts 'in the pipeline' so to speak. Of course, YMMV as far as Torx Salts/no or less blade play issue...some may have it, but so far, none of my Torx Salts have any lock rock.

Hope you enjoy whatever you choose!

Jim
Click to expand...

Thanks Jim, good idea. I sure would not be real thrilled if I were to buy a new Salt series and find that I get a riveted one!
Now, Pacific Salt or Salt 1? I realize they are close to the same size at the Endura and Delica, but they both have their place. Hard to choose which is better!
May have to be a good dad and put my kids first as they have a few things that they need and will cut into my knife budget. Oh well, I'd rather have my boys than all the knives in the world anyway! :D:D
 
I have a question. How does H1 plain edge compare with say Buck's 420HC? I'm still thinking about getting a Salt 1. I live in East Tennessee, and I'm only at the coast about one week per year, but the last time I was there, I ended up having to use my Buck pocket knife on the beach for a couple of tasks, and I got it wet. It was badly rusted within days. Any thoughts? Thanks.
 
It compares favorably to those types of steel. That is to say it's about the same. Without some careful testing, you likely won't be able to tell a difference. I checked my H1 plain edge against a 420HC kitchen knife and they were basically the same. The H1 used for blades is rolled to the same hardness that buck uses for it's 420HC (58ish). The notion is that grinding hardens the H1 even in plain edge up above 60, but I haven't noticed it making a difference.
 
Deal4 said:
Thanks Jim, good idea. I sure would not be real thrilled if I were to buy a new Salt series and find that I get a riveted one!
Now, Pacific Salt or Salt 1? I realize they are close to the same size at the Endura and Delica, but they both have their place. Hard to choose which is better!
May have to be a good dad and put my kids first as they have a few things that they need and will cut into my knife budget. Oh well, I'd rather have my boys than all the knives in the world anyway! :D:D
Click to expand...

I carry the pacific salt. It is my dedicated fishing and work knife and one of my all time favorite folders. I am personally not a fan of the hump near the tip so I sand the spine down on all of my salts. I don't know, it probably voids the warranty, but it makes a vastly more functional knife for my uses. Enjoy whatever u choose. Go serrations in H1 for sure. You will love em! And that's coming from a guy who never used to like serrations.

300B0F7A-69ED-442F-87B8-932A5D9A6944_zpsjv056ing.jpg
 
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Surfingringo, you did a very nice job on that blade!
I remember when you ground the point down and doesn't sound too difficult. I may have to try it some time!
I passed on a pinned Pacific Salt the other day, but see that yours is pinned. You haven't had any problems with it even though it is pinned?
I have 2 spydercos that are pinned (Native FRN and Centofante 3) and though they are both great knives, they both have significant lock rock which is slightly annoying.
 
Mines not pinned. The torx heads are just on the other side. None of my salts have "play" but they all have the slightest bit of flex vertically if you push hard enough but it's not enough to annoy me and I'm pretty anal about blade play. I think a tiny bit of vertical flex under force is pretty standard for lockbacks.
 
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