Knocking the Shine Off - One Month At A Time

[Scubaroo]

The 30-day challenge in March, where we carried and used a single knife for the entire month, was a lot of fun.
Very cool to see everyone's selection and the change that occurred over time.

I’d love to keep the momentum going and turn this into an ongoing challenge.
We can have regular check-ins from anyone who wants to participate, whether it's daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly—whatever works for you.

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To kick off April, I received a few exciting knives in the mail yesterday.



However, I’m starting the month with something extra special (at least to me) that I’ve been eagerly waiting to use.

Over the last year I’ve handled a lot of knives, and this is the second “grail” knife I’ve acquired through the generosity of a fellow member here on the forum.

For April, I’ll be putting some use on the Blade Forums 86 Spring Street Barlow and looking forward to knocking the shine off this beauty.

 

[BP_]

I think I’ll try something small and single bladed this month. The opposite of how I usually carry. I’ll do my best to only carry this one all April, it will be interesting to see how it breaks in.

 

[Scubaroo]

I think I’ll try something small and single bladed this month. The opposite of how I usually carry. I’ll do my best to only carry this one all April, it will be interesting to see how it breaks in.

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View attachment 2836428

That was my first GEC that I bought about a year ago now.
I didn't realize how small 3" is () and it was back in the mail the next day.

Now that I have some medium/large knives I carry, I think this is one that I'd like to revisit. Something small and out of the way for the summer to slip into my shorts pockets.
Good choice

 

[BP_]

That was my first GEC that I bought about a year ago now.
I didn't realize how small 3" is () and it was back in the mail the next day.

Now that I have some medium/large knives I carry, I think this is one that I'd like to revisit. Something small and out of the way for the summer to slip into my shorts pockets.
Good choice

I am typically the same way, but it was so nice I just happened to keep it instead of moving it along. I have been carrying the BF stockman, 81 stockman, full size trappers, etc. so I’m pretty used to bigger, more substantial knives as well. I figured it was time for a switch, it’ll force me to use it for a length of time to see if I can really get by with something so small

 

[RickHuf]

I'm starting to think this thing is stainless lmao.

We will see. It's still as shiny as the day it left the factory.

Something small and out of the way for the summer

This is a good point. Hmmmmm.

 

[Scubaroo]

I'm starting to think this thing is stainless lmao.

We will see. It's still as shiny as the day it left the factory.
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This is a good point. Hmmmmm.

I have a 6347 with a similar tang stamp that is definitely stainless.
I'll see if I can find a picture of it to compare.

 

[afishhunter]

"I'm In."
I'm not sure if I'll change my current carry ('24 BF #132, + '19 Guardians Lamb ,+ '21 Year of the Oxen VIK Huntsman, + a unknown yesr VIC Mii Champ, + a LM Charge+ TII multi tool (with accessories), + the Toferner neck knife), or change the stockman out for one of my Case 75's, or one of my slightly smaller (US) Imperial-Schrade stockman.

I'll likely stick with these. Tho the consecutive carry will be more than 30 days by at least a few days. I switched to them on 03-26.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I already had a knife picked out but I'm also going to roll the dice on one. I'm stopping by the TSC on the way home and if they have anything in CS then that's what will be in the pocket this month.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Not starting as well as I'd hoped on a few levels. This was the only carbon steel offering they had. Not a bad price, not great but not bad. Kind of indifferent to the medium stockman pattern.

But it shows some failings. All three blades have too much wiggle wobble. All three blades rub with two being so bad one blade will close on top of the other already having notched the edge and the other must be pushed closed because it rubs so hard. And the usual edge burr and slight recurve from the belt. And a finger nail catching gap in a layer... Ugh. But it's a worker, not a show off piece.

Does the newer CS (1084?) steel stay any sharper that their stainless? Will I have my patina and eat my cake too? I'm scared/curious what this knife will look like come May.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I've got a knife on the way that's supposed to be in 1095 which should be here any day.
Whenever I get a new knife in carbon steel I like to carry it for about a month to get a good patina built up.
I will definitely be participating when that knife arrives as long as it is actually 1095 like it's supposed to be.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Not starting as well as I'd hoped on a few levels. This was the only carbon steel offering they had. Not a bad price, not great but not bad. Kind of indifferent to the medium stockman pattern.

But it shows some failings. All three blades have too much wiggle wobble. All three blades rub with two being so bad one blade will close on top of the other already having notched the edge and the other must be pushed closed because it rubs so hard. And the usual edge burr and slight recurve from the belt. And a finger nail catching gap in a layer... Ugh. But it's a worker, not a show off piece.

Does the newer CS (1084?) steel stay any sharper that their stainless? Will I have my patina and eat my cake too? I'm scared/curious what this knife will look like come May.

As far as I know it's 1095, and in my experience it performs the same as the CV they used before which for me has been as good or better than their tru sharp 420ss.

 

[Scubaroo]

Not starting as well as I'd hoped on a few levels. This was the only carbon steel offering they had. Not a bad price, not great but not bad. Kind of indifferent to the medium stockman pattern.

But it shows some failings. All three blades have too much wiggle wobble. All three blades rub with two being so bad one blade will close on top of the other already having notched the edge and the other must be pushed closed because it rubs so hard. And the usual edge burr and slight recurve from the belt. And a finger nail catching gap in a layer... Ugh. But it's a worker, not a show off piece.

Does the newer CS (1084?) steel stay any sharper that their stainless? Will I have my patina and eat my cake too? I'm scared/curious what this knife will look like come May.

Great choice IMO, but that's a drag about its condition.

I bought two new Case knives this time last year. Even after fondling them in the store, I didn't notice the blade rock on both trapper blades.
After TWO trips to Case for warranty work, the clip blade is in good shape but the spey still rocks up and down when cutting anything.
I doubt case will do anything about blade rub, but you can always return it to TSC?

 

[Maximumbob54]

As far as I know it's 1095, and in my experience it performs the same as the CV they used before which for me has been as good or better than their tru sharp 420ss.

I only quest it because a year or two ago SMKW went out of their way to advertise a limited run being 1095 to the point a bolster on each model had 1095 stamped. If they are all 1095 then that was a pretty odd ad campaign.

Great choice IMO, but that's a drag about its condition.

I bought two new Case knives this time last year. Even after fondling them in the store, I didn't notice the blade rock on both trapper blades.
After TWO trips to Case for warranty work, the clip blade is in good shape but the spey still rocks up and down when cutting anything.
I doubt case will do anything about blade rub, but you can always return it to TSC?

I would return it but I plan on all but torturing this knife to see what is left end of the month. Not prying out nails but not holding back any trying to baby it.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I only quest it because a year or two ago SMKW went out of their way to advertise a limited run being 1095 to the point a bolster on each model had 1095 stamped. If they are all 1095 then that was a pretty odd ad campaign.

It's because Case doesn't say and most people don't even think about it , but SMKW offered the series for people who do care.

 

[Maximumbob54]

It's because Case doesn't say and most people don't even think about it , but SMKW offered the series for people who do care.

If that's true then that's hilarious.

 

[mac0731]

I'm in! This is day 7 knocking the shine off. Still kinda shiny since it was mirror before I started.

Had to knock the shine off the coin with it lol.

 

[afishhunter]

Did not have a family shot for post seven, above.

I doubt the shine will dim on the LM, and two Vic's.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I received the new knife earlier, and the apple I ate confirmed that it is in fact 1095 like it was supposed to be.


I was surprised at just how much patina it developed from just 1 green apple, this thing is going to look great after 30 days.


In case anybody is wondering, the knife is a Queen brand bird and trout made by Bear & son.
It was supposed to be some kind of amber type color of winterbottom bone, but it looked awful and I remedied that with a little butane torch and a good buffing.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

This is perfect cause I liked the last challenge so much I started another 30 days with a new one myself…this is day 2 with the GEC Talon…love this model. This was brand spanking new in tube yesterday.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Please forgive. The flesh is weak but the steel is strong. I just cannot get behind the medium stockman. But the 47... My love grows for her and now she's in carbon steel instead of stainless.

It took far too much effort To get the burr edge clean on the medium. I don't know if the belt ate that one too hard maybe. But all the 47 needed was the strop. She's now nicely sharp and ready to finish the challenge. I cannot get over for the minimal size increase you get so much more blade. Outstanding.