Help identifying TSF steel

mromeo23

mromeo23

Joined
Jan 22, 2013
Messages
386
Just got this Three sisters forge Beast in a trade and I'm at least the third owner. By the time it got to me, the steel was no longer known. I'm guessing it's S35V but I'm wondering if there's a way of knowing for sure. Does anyone know a lot about TSF and can tell by looking? Maybe the different pivot styles or finish give away which steel he used?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1400626809.713440.jpg

Thanks for looking and for any help.
 
I think he did the spear points after the CPM-154 stock. The first run was ELMAX, so that is likely. Then M-390, and then back to S35V. Does it have bearings? That might be a clue.

DJK
 
Unfortunately and I'm embarrassed to admit, but I don't know enough about knives yet to know about bearings. I thought all beasts do
 
I emailed Jim and he responded almost instantly. He says it's most likely either m390 or s35vn. He says the darker finishes are the s35vn so I'm going to assume that. I sent him the pic as well to see if he can tell. Just waiting on his response. It's not a matter of life or death...I think everyone wants to know what steel their knives are if possible.
 
Unless you have the invoice that came with it, there's no way to tell. Even if you take it apart, there are no markings to indicate the steel. From what I understand, Jim will make all his knives with the steel he has on hand. I had one with El Max (lost it :() and the others I have are M390. The one I lost was about two years old, The others are at least a year old. I would bet yours is M390, but that's just my guess. I do believe he does the same treatment on all his steel regardless of the type of steel, so whatever it is, you may not be able to tell the difference when sharpening the knife.
 
Why would a maker purposely not label the blade steel in this day and age? I'm seriously wondering.
 
Thank you for the responses guys. Rev I thought it would at least be labeled on the inside of the knife or maybe the logo or pivot would be different. Anything to help indicate...

I've owned blades in elmax and s35vn. It woukd be nice to know for sure if I finally got my hands on an m390 that I've been dying to try!
 
expwmbat said:
I think he did the spear points after the CPM-154 stock. The first run was ELMAX, so that is likely. Then M-390, and then back to S35V. Does it have bearings? That might be a clue.

DJK
Click to expand...

I have follow up questions on your question about bearings. Are you referring to bronze washers or the little ball bearing on the lock bar? I'm trying to learn to get a better understanding of all parts of knives. I had to research how detents and lock ups work. I just assumed for a frame lock to work it had to have the little ball bearing.

Can you clarify and help a knife rookie out? Sorry kinda embarrassing.
 
"Why would a maker purposely not label the blade steel in this day and age? I'm seriously wondering."

I would guess because it would cost time and money to mark the steel. Most knifemakers have trouble with marketing concepts. In other fields of arts and crafts, the work is not labeled with materials. I'll bet if you bought it straight from the maker you'd know what steel you got if you bother to ask or if there is some type of paperwork that comes with the knife.
 
if it has washers it does not have bearings. the little ball in the lock bar is the detent ball. Bearings look the same as the detent ball but are around the pivot where the washers would go. They can be loose IKBS bearings or a caged bearings which are contained in a piece of metal or plastic.
 
mromeo23 said:
I have follow up questions on your question about bearings. Are you referring to bronze washers or the little ball bearing on the lock bar? I'm trying to learn to get a better understanding of all parts of knives. I had to research how detents and lock ups work. I just assumed for a frame lock to work it had to have the little ball bearing.

Can you clarify and help a knife rookie out? Sorry kinda embarrassing.
Click to expand...

[video=youtube;bw0yjnmwUDY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw0yjnmwUDY[/video]

ikbs bearings
 
[video=youtube;bUJRidMHGjE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUJRidMHGjE[/video]
mromeo23 said:
I have follow up questions on your question about bearings. Are you referring to bronze washers or the little ball bearing on the lock bar? I'm trying to learn to get a better understanding of all parts of knives. I had to research how detents and lock ups work. I just assumed for a frame lock to work it had to have the little ball bearing.

Can you clarify and help a knife rookie out? Sorry kinda embarrassing.
Click to expand...

caged bearings
 
Thank you for posting those and the replies. That def helps clarify and now I understand. I appreciate it!
 
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