Heat Treat on RC-3 and RC-4

[Shearwater]

I'm a RAT newbie. Finally ordered an RC-4. A couple of weeks ago when I was ordering an RC-3 for my nephew, I remember reading about the RC-3 having a special heat treat. Is there a good source of more information on that. I'm sure its been covered in another thread. My main questions are the reasons behind the heat treat and any differences that makes in edge retention and sharpenability. One of the main things that first attracted me to the Rat Cutlery knives is the high carbon steel blades. I've always found the high carbon steel blades very easy to get and keep sharp under regular hard use.

 

[R.A.T.]

We heat treat our knives to 57 RC. This video is a test result of our blades after being heat treated: http://www.ratcutlery.com/1095 heat treat.MOV Our knives WILL break if you bend them far enough but most folks never have a call to do such a thing. They hold an edge well and easily re-sharpened in the wilds with a flat diamond hone or common honing stones.

 

[Shearwater]

Thanks,

Wow, I need a beer after watching that. Must be my middle-aged hyper safety consciousness. I promise not to treat mine that way without a heck of a good reason.