How old is my 120, and what sort of steel is the blade made from? Thanks!

[tunafishmilkshake]

Here are some photos of my 120 that just arrived today. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

[BG42EDGE]

Group 3 1981 425Mod.

Nice knife.

 

[David Martin]

Welcome. You certainly picked a name no one else would. While I agree the mfg. is 81 the blade steels of the knives of this group is uncertain and could be either 425M or 440C as it was a transition year. I have a 120 mfg. the same year that has 440C blade steel and a 119. The two have different sheaths. DM

 

[BG42EDGE]

Yes, sometimes old blades are used even years later so it certainly could be 440C (like a lot of others that we think are 425MOD).

I suppose Dave had his tested to find out that it's 440C.

I've got some I'd like to test, Dave. Who tested it for you?

 

[David Martin]

This does not suprise me you ask. After working with a particular steel for years one gets to know it well. DM

 

[tunafishmilkshake]

Thanks for the warm welcome, Gentlemen. I love this knife, and have wanted one for quite a while. What I originally wanted to do, was to have a carbon fiber handle made and fitted to a 120. However since this is one of the older ones, it looks like I'll just have to find a second one to work on! ;-)

 

[I4Bucks]

tunafishmilkshake that is a nice looking 120, I hope you get a chance to use it. Enjoy it as long as you own it. HL

 

[tunafishmilkshake]

Thanks HL. I'll never sell it, and it'll be my regular carry knife whenever I go camping, hunting, or fishing.

 

[David Martin]

It makes a good camping and hunting knife. I used mine for that duty for years. It also makes a good truck knife and bedside blade. DM

 

[BG42EDGE]

This does not suprise me you ask. After working with a particular steel for years one gets to know it well. DM

Ah......So you've never actually had your knife verified as 440C......it's just your intuition that's telling you it's 440C and not 425MOD.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[David Martin]

I'd call it experience with education. The required method for the test would destroy the knife. DM

 

[BG42EDGE]

I'd call it experience with education. DM

Well, that's a valid opinion.

What specific physical things do you look for when you're identifying a steel by intuition?

Or is it just a gut feeling?

 

[David Martin]

No, there some variables within the two steels that knife makers notice while grinding and polishing that make it a sure bet. Manufacturing can be detected as well.DM

 

[BG42EDGE]

Did you have a knifemaker verify your knives as positively 440C rather than 425MOD?

Do you know the variables that they use to ascertain which steel is which?

 

[mbjannusch]

BG, you cant tell the difference between 440c and 425mod, your slipping. I thought everybody knew the difference(besides me) I could grind it, buff it, and make it into a tunafishmilkshake and I wouldn't know the difference.

 

[BG42EDGE]

I'm sure that holds true for all of us, MBJ.

Although some are apparently bold enough to take a guess and call it fact.