Help Me Understand Magnicut

Blues said:
I trust anything said by both MolokaiRider MolokaiRider and 91bravo, even if and when their experiences may differ somewhat. @beeinak has quickly joined that pantheon as well.
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Thanks Blues.

The example I have does not have the geometry that lends to bashing through stuff, but for cutting materials in normal day to day use, this knife has performed very well.

Despite holding sentimental value, as it was a gracious gift, the maker was adamant about not babying it.

It is serving as a test mule of sorts to see how MagnaCut works, and to find any shortcomings.

So far, so good.
 
tony281sc2 said:
I’m probably in the minority on this site, but I haven’t even tried Magnacut yet. Not because I don’t want to, I just don’t chase steels like I used to. I have a lot of S30,35, 20CV, Elmax. Eventually I’ll try it. But Im not expecting to notice a huge difference between MC and any that I just mentioned, not how I use my knives at least.
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Same boat !

Someday , after the fervor and novelty have worn off , if a knife that I already desire for all the other reasons comes along , at a price I want to pay ...

By that time I'm sure there will be several newer/hotter super steels center stage . ;)
 
Richard338 said:
If only there was an article discussing its design, composition, and properties...
knifesteelnerds.com

CPM MagnaCut - The Next Breakthrough in Knife Steel - Knife Steel Nerds

CPM MagnaCut is a new stainless knife steel designed to be better than anything that has been available before. Is it a success?
knifesteelnerds.com knifesteelnerds.com
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AND the article was written by the steel scientist that invented that formulation! It looks like a great steel for general purpose, EDC knives, and culinary knives (among other uses). But I'll glady keep my S35VN and 20CV knives without any need to move to the latest super steel. I would gladly consider buying a well manufactured Magnacut knife if and when the initial pricing frenzy dissapates and cooler heads prevail. I favor EDC knives that provide excellent corrosion resistance and great edge retention(for ease of neglect) and good toughness (in case Amazon goes back to staples in their shipping boxes). I don't chop or split wood with a knife (because axes and saws) or cut bolts (because bolt cutters) and have never needed to stab an automobile body (because sanity!) . The Swiss Army Officers model (no longer called that) in my pocket has been my most used "multi tool" for over 44 years and is still in service. Take care of the tools you depend on to take care of you.
 
Elektroslag said:
Just anecdotal here, but I live in a tropical climate and have had difficulty getting 3v to rust in regular use. Thats even with using a leather sheath and leaving it outside for hours at a time.

I seem to remember in Knife Steel Nerds that at higher hardness corrosion resistance goes down (could be wrong here), and my Benchmade Puukko at 61hrc hasn't rusted one bit.
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Well here's the thing. If you are someone that doesn't necessarily value extreme corrosion resistance and something like 4V is good enough for your uses, then paying extra for Magnacut doesn't really make much practical sense.

It's the same with someone using S30V and is just sharpening at the same angle as the factory edge and is happy with the performance. It wouldn't make much practical sense to pay extra and replace it with Magnacut because it probably doesn't give you any advantages. Your S30V edge will likely keep an edge just as long, and toughness and corrosion resistance probably haven't been close to being challenged.
 
I read somewhere in the forums that MagnaCut has better corrosion resistance than M390. How can this be with MagnaCut having much less chromium than M390? What else would help with corrosion resistance other than chromium?
 
Wolverine666 said:
I read somewhere in the forums that MagnaCut has better corrosion resistance than M390. How can this be with MagnaCut having much less chromium than M390? What else would help with corrosion resistance other than chromium?
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Chromium in/out the solution is what matters in terms of stainlessness. The more free chromium you have not being tied up forming carbides allows for corrosion resistance. It's why steels like zdp189 can have over 20% chromium yet still rust due to the massive amount of carbon (less than even the s30v class of steels) hogging all the chromium. Magnacut doesn't have that much carbon and relies pretty heavily on vanadium/niobium carbide for it's edge rentention leaving the free chromium to do some work! M390 has almost 2% carbon which takes more chromium for carbide use and not for stainlessness.

DR T can speak on this if he wants, however in my laymans opinion, Magnacut is special because it hits that great balance of getting solid edge retention from vanadium/niobium carbides, and it's stainlessness and toughness from not having that much carbon however just the right amount of chromium..not to much. A real knife steel, not a repurposed one like so many others.

Larrin Larrin Maybe the expert will chime in and either confirm what I have said in clearer words, or correct anything I have said that is inaccurate.
 
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Wolverine666 said:
I read somewhere in the forums that MagnaCut has better corrosion resistance than M390. How can this be with MagnaCut having much less chromium than M390? What else would help with corrosion resistance other than chromium?
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The way Larrin explained it is that more chrome stays in the solution rather than developing into carbides because of the added ingredients. I can’t remember the details but it’s in his posts somewhere.
 
Wolverine666 said:
I read somewhere in the forums that MagnaCut has better corrosion resistance than M390. How can this be with MagnaCut having much less chromium than M390? What else would help with corrosion resistance other than chromium?
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Nitrogen too I think.
 
Elektroslag said:
Chromium in/out the solution is what matters in terms of stainlessness. The more free chromium you have not being tied up forming carbides allows for corrosion resistance. It's why steels like zdp189 can have over 20% chromium yet still rust due to the massive amount of carbon (less than even the s30v class of steels) hogging all the chromium. Magnacut doesn't have that much carbon and relies pretty heavily on vanadium/niobium carbide for it's edge rentention leaving the free chromium to do some work! M390 has almost 2% carbon which takes more chromium for carbide use and not for stainlessness.

DR T can speak on this if he wants, however in my laymans opinion, Magnacut is special because it hits that great balance of getting solid edge retention from vanadium/niobium carbides, and it's stainlessness and toughness from not having that much carbon however just the right amount of chromium..not to much. A real knife steel, not a repurposed one like so many others.

Larrin Larrin Maybe the expert will chime in and either confirm what I have said in clearer words, or correct anything I have said that is inaccurate.
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Thanks for the explanation. Sometimes I find the composition of blade steels a little confusing.
 
Corrosion resistance should be considered in context. My 1970s SAK made out of an unnumbered Swiss alloy has endured my pocket carry globally (as one once could do without being cavity searched by strangers) and was joined years later by various lock blades in AUS 8 (Ontario RAT), S30V (Kershaw Blur) and 20CV (Kershaw Link). None have shown any trace of rust or corrosion, and all have been subjected to the same level of tender loving care as the average pet rock (look it up kids!). People who are seriously concerned about corrosion resort to salt spray bathes and accelerated aging testing to ensure that real corrosion doesn't cause parts to seize or fail. We are knife fanciers not the deep end of the corrosion concern pool. folks.
 
Elektroslag said:
Just anecdotal here, but I live in a tropical climate and have had difficulty getting 3v to rust in regular use. Thats even with using a leather sheath and leaving it outside for hours at a time.

I seem to remember in Knife Steel Nerds that at higher hardness corrosion resistance goes down (could be wrong here), and my Benchmade Puukko at 61hrc hasn't rusted one bit.
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I just bought three 3V knives (all Cold Steel SRKs - One for my son, on for me, and one for his serious survival pack). I researched the best light oil treatment - just in case and especially for long term storage - and found that the Camil oil that makes Samurai fans get excited is traditional because of its high Oleic Acid content. Then I found that Safflower oil available at many super,arkets has a higher Oleic Acid content. Just apply a thin film and lightly wipe off any exceess and you're good to go. BTW Safflower oil is healthier and cheaper than olive oil which has a distinctive flavor not preferred in many dishes. Olive oil is also very widely adulterated and counterfited by dishonest profiteers - guess what's in my kitchen cabinet.
 
Blues said:
Professor, shouldn't that be "if only there were"?

(I don't get a chance to rag on you more highly educated types enough, so I've got to get my shots in where I can. 🤣 🍻 )
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I am an English major. You are correct, and, moreover, one of the very few writers who understands this.
 
I love my magnacut knives (Les George and tactile) but I'm holding my breath for a vibroblade or a mini lightsaber. C'mon nerds we should have been done with this a while ago!
 
norcalAF said:
I love my magnacut knives (Les George and tactile) but I'm holding my breath for a vibroblade or a mini lightsaber. C'mon nerds we should have been done with this a while ago!
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With the amount I cut my hands I can't ever own a laser knife/sword. Id be fingerless in a year.
 
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