I'm hoping someone can confirm what I have read in a couple places about Hartkopf using Boehler N695 blade steel in some of their knives. I have looked for a "better" SAK main blade for a long time. I find the blade shape to be really great for most of my uses, especially when I am away from the farm and find the desire to slice an apple, spread some peanut butter or jelly, or on rare occasion the need to replace a plastic-ware knife from a take-out box.
My experience with using German origin knives is limited so, perhaps I am overlooking the 440A offerings I see from Puma or something in Sandvik 12C27 from a different maker. The German deep clip point blade shapes I have used in the past just don't work for my uses and have an unnatural feel in use to my hand. The straight clips are an improvement but, just don't work well for me away from the farm. The classic Victorinox SAK blade shape is a great one but, the blades are way too soft (blade nicks removing industrial staples, dulling quickly with dirty paper, etc.). While I love my SAK's, I don't travel with a knife sharpener so, I really want a folding knife with the SAK blade shape that lasts longer in use and is ~3.5" long in a reasonable quality folding knife. I really want to quit traveling with two knives (a SAK and a second knife with a 440C/1095 or similar blade for the tougher jobs).
Hartkopf has a knife in Snakewood that is advertised as ~3" long with this blade shape so, I'm giving it some consideration. However, I see 4110 embossed on the blade which I believe means 440A. I'm wondering if it is just an old 'stock photo' or if the text is misleading. Hartkopf has a good reputation but, like many small cottage companies has almost no presence outside its local market and definitely needs some better website development to show off its products!
TIA,
Sid
My experience with using German origin knives is limited so, perhaps I am overlooking the 440A offerings I see from Puma or something in Sandvik 12C27 from a different maker. The German deep clip point blade shapes I have used in the past just don't work for my uses and have an unnatural feel in use to my hand. The straight clips are an improvement but, just don't work well for me away from the farm. The classic Victorinox SAK blade shape is a great one but, the blades are way too soft (blade nicks removing industrial staples, dulling quickly with dirty paper, etc.). While I love my SAK's, I don't travel with a knife sharpener so, I really want a folding knife with the SAK blade shape that lasts longer in use and is ~3.5" long in a reasonable quality folding knife. I really want to quit traveling with two knives (a SAK and a second knife with a 440C/1095 or similar blade for the tougher jobs).
Hartkopf has a knife in Snakewood that is advertised as ~3" long with this blade shape so, I'm giving it some consideration. However, I see 4110 embossed on the blade which I believe means 440A. I'm wondering if it is just an old 'stock photo' or if the text is misleading. Hartkopf has a good reputation but, like many small cottage companies has almost no presence outside its local market and definitely needs some better website development to show off its products!
TIA,
Sid
