Here We Go Again! Everything’s Bushcraft, Bushcraft & Magnacut Steel! WHY?

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tony281sc2 said:
No, no they wouldn’t. But how much better? On paper: Same edge retention, slightly tougher, both aren’t going to rust unless they’ve been sitting in the ocean….
The biggest factor between S35/45VN and Magnacut that I’ve been able to gather is that Magnacut is more difficult to heat treat correctly (needs to be at ~63 vs ~60). I’m not seeking it out, but eventually I would like to try some, just cuz I’m a knife enthusiast, not because I expect a great deal of difference between the steels.
I’m hoping it will be easier to sharpen (or at least the same) compared to S35VN. That’s something that’s rarely taken into consideration. A tougher steel usually always sharpens easier. Then again, it’s gonna be a couple Rc points higher…🤷‍♂️ So who knows.

Also, heads up. If a new steel bothers you, you’re in for a nasty surprise at the next big trend of axis, I mean bar locks….
🙄
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It’s not true that MagnaCut needs to be at higher hardness or it isn’t good. If you’re happy with other steels at 60 Rc why would MagnaCut be subpar at the same hardness?
 
Larrin said:
It’s not true that MagnaCut needs to be at higher hardness or it isn’t good. If you’re happy with other steels at 60 Rc why would MagnaCut be subpar at the same hardness?
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This takes us into the Collector or User territory. A 59-61 is fine for the former, however, the ideal is what the latter seeks out. As a collector and user, I think the range is very subtle, except to the most picky perfectionists.
 
Perhaps just used in a very broad way to distinguish from "tactical" knives. Outdoor vs. fighting. "See, our knife is a peaceful bushcraft knife, not one of those aggressive tactical knives that only a criminal would carry." Or somesuch marketing department logic.
 
Let's try to stay on topic and appropriate for the GKD forum or more posts will be moved offline. Thanks.
 
Magnacut seems to offer a really, really good combination of edge retention, toughness and corrosion resistance and, if the current offerings are anything to go by, it doesn't seem any more expensive than loads of other premium steels. I'm not at all surprised to see it everywhere considering all that.

Bushcraft is part marketing, but I think a really encouraging piece of it is seeing that there's a real thirst in our society to get out into nature and learn about and enjoy it. That's something that I think is very positive and should be encouraged, though I sometimes get a bit sick of the buzzwords.
 
Not sure what to say about this. Ive never tried MC, but I'm sure its a very good steel. Realistically 14C28N is probably good enough for most people. On paper what you get from MC is a bit better edge holding, 14C remains tougher.
Its down to personal philosophy. Do you want a steel that holds an edge a long time but is harder to touch up (especially in the field), or do you want something that's easier to service that wont hold an edge quite that long.

Some people don't have fancy fixed angle systems, or take their knives on long excursions or trips, maybe deployment, where they don't have access to their fancy sharpening equipment. A DC3/4 or a work sharp field sharpener is all you might have. All of a sudden easy sharpening becomes an important factor.

Edge holding of steels like 440C, VG10, 154CM, 12C27, 14C28N, 9Cr18, N690 etc. is more then good enough for most people, especially when not run too soft. But we are enthusiasts, so we want the best, not something good enough. Hence the fascination with super steels. "Normal" people would rarely or never pay more then $100 for a knife in the first place.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Bushcraft is part marketing, but I think a really encouraging piece of it is seeing that there's a real thirst in our society to get out into nature and learn about and enjoy it. That's something that I think is very positive and should be encouraged, though I sometimes get a bit sick of the buzzwords.
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One thing I learned in writing my new book was that in the late 19th century and early 20th century the concept of "outdoor recreation" was a new thing. Before that it was just seen as a necessity, not a hobby or an enjoyable activity. The idea of camping and doing other outdoorsy activities was a fresh concept, and then new products were marketed to this growing market, like axes, compasses, knives, etc.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Magnacut seems to offer a really, really good combination of edge retention, toughness and corrosion resistance and, if
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I think we can say corrosion proof.

Both testing and the fact that Spyderco use it in the salt line confirms this.
 
With all the exacting tolerances, hard use requirements, and challenges to everyday survival that we face in todays world, it is a wonder how we ever survived through the dark ages with cheap Imperial barlows with shell handles with the thin plain old unknown carbon steel blades 😂
 
chevyrulez1 said:
With all the exacting tolerances, hard use requirements, and challenges to everyday survival that we face in todays world, it is a wonder how we ever survived through the dark ages with cheap Imperial barlows with shell handles with the thin plain old unknown carbon steel blades 😂
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Most antique knives probably would've had hand forged blades roughly equivalent to modern C60 or C70 (1060-1070). Albeit with probably more impurities & less consistent heat treats. Higher quality knives might have had a higher carbon content, more similar to 1085 or 1095.

Sword blades, hammers, axes made by the same blacksmith were most likely all made of the same raw material & heat treat was adjusted to fit the product. Softer for swords & axes, harder for knives. Even 1060, with "only" a mediocre carbon content by modern standards, can be brought up to over 60 HRC. That same steel is also perfect for swords at around 50 HRC.
 
It is Bushcraft season. I would be surprised if we didn’t have a lot of talk about bushcraft knives.
 
Larrin said:
One thing I learned in writing my new book was that in the late 19th century and early 20th century the concept of "outdoor recreation" was a new thing. Before that it was just seen as a necessity, not a hobby or an enjoyable activity. The idea of camping and doing other outdoorsy activities was a fresh concept, and then new products were marketed to this growing market, like axes, compasses, knives, etc.
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exactly! it takes human 20,000 years to walk out of forrest. Now some lucky people with spare time & money is trying to walk back to forrest, just for fun.

Imagine the native people in Amazon or South East China reaction to the concept of "bushcraft". They are born with a machete, not in the mouth, in the hand.
 
The majority of my outdoor activities are either in the PNW, where I am often crossing creeks and hiking up to alpine lakes; or in my costal Central Florida home town in the brackish mangroves, swamps, ocean, and generally humid weather. The way I see it, for my uses, and with the attributes of the steel, a more valid question would be "Why not Magnacut?"

That being said, I don't currently own any and I seem to be getting along just fine so far.

As for the "Bushcraft" craze and use of the term, it's neither here nor there for me. I can see why it annoys many, but I really just never give it much thought. It's certainly not a term I ever use, and I'll go as far as to say that I purposely avoid referring to my Benchmade 162 by it's other name (honestly I usually forget the number as well ;)).
 
Larrin said:
It’s not true that MagnaCut needs to be at higher hardness or it isn’t good. If you’re happy with other steels at 60 Rc why would MagnaCut be subpar at the same hardness?
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This is why people keep regurgitating high hardness when it comes to magnacut. They don’t watch the video they just see the thumbnail and skip the question mark. Change the thumbnail and the misinformation would probably stop.
 
People around here get triggered too easily.

What's next? Battering someone for wearing "board shorts" and "basketball shoes". Ermahgerd.

With all the other things in life up for being redefined these days, I'm not about to lose any sleep over someone referring to his knife as a bushcraft knife.

And afaik, MagnaCut does what it purports to. Brings CPM Cru-Wear like performance in a stainless package. That is either a benefit to one's usage, or it's not. But for many it provides a product with broad appeal. I don't think anyone ever said that any other steels were useless or obsolete now...or maybe I missed that memo.
 
Blues said:
People around here get triggered too easily.

What's next? Battering someone for wearing "board shorts" and "basketball shoes". Ermahgerd.

With all the other things in life up for being redefined these days, I'm not about to lose any sleep over someone referring to his knife as a bushcraft knife.

And afaik, MagnaCut does what it purports to. Brings CPM Cru-Wear like performance in a stainless package. That is either a benefit to one's usage, or it's not. But for many it provides a product with broad appeal. I don't think anyone ever said that any other steels were useless or obsolete now...or maybe I missed that memo.
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I see it so often it’s hard to refrain. Anytime magnacut is mentioned, it better be 63-64 hrc or it’s crap. I’ve been very pleased with my deka in magnacut but others don’t think it’s ran hard enough. People can’t elaborate on why, they just point to the video. And I can’t seem to find a reason they believe 63-64 is perfect, other than the thumbnail.
 
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