Magic knife?

U

Uncle Bill

Joined
Aug 24, 1999
Messages
434
Every now and then a trumpet will be just magic. Somehow the soldering, annealing, stress-relieving, cryogenic treatment (yes, they do that with hi-end trumpets too), etc. will make a certain horn vastly outperform other nominally identical instruments.

Does anything similar happen with knives? Are there ever magic knives that outperform other "identical" knives coming off the line?
 
I don't know about the exceptional ones--because no one wants to mention it. BUT, everyone will tell you about the disappointments. For an example, the ATS-34 steel used for blades. Everyone raves about it. I've had it in two folders (different mfg) within the past 2 years and I refuse to buy any ATS-34 again.
 
Uncle Bill,

I've been collecting knives for a long time, but I've yet to acquire Excalibur. I guess that's part of the fun of Knife collecting.

Tangus,

I couldn't agree with you more. I love Benchmade designs, but, Man, that ATS-34 is making it harder and harder, figuretively and literally (pardon the spelling)!

Al
 
I'm sorry to say, I don't own a Magic knife, I have knives I love, but I can't say they're Magic.
Of all the knives I've handled, (mostly at shows) there are some that are Un-believable, by many different makers. The only one I can describe as Magic, is an Ed Fowler. Of course having Ed across the table from you, adds to the moment. When he first told me to pick one up, I held it in my hand, and just closed my eyes, so I could just focus on the feel of it. When I opened my eyes, Ed was smilling at me, like Santa in a cowboy hat. He knew. All I could say was, "It's Magic!"

I don't know if I'll ever get to own one. I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to see or talk to Ed again. I do know the moment was special, and his knives are Magic.

I admit it, I don't know much, but I know what I like.
 
Tangus and SpecialK

Well, don't leave us hanging. Tell us why you don't like ATS34.
Kind of an unwritten law, here : if you dump on something (or somebody) or recommend something, support it up with some background.
BTW, I am not a promotor of ATS34...but I have had no problems with several knives by different makers. I do prefer BG42 or D2, though. They both hold an edge better than my ATS knives.

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343


 
No knives but i've seen magic guns. Every now
and then there is a gun that just comes out of the factory that is just a sweet tack driving beauty. Most people that have owned a lot of guns would know what i'm talking about. As far as knives go i would have no way of knowing without much to comapre the knife to but i know i've had quite a few dogs.
 
Of the knives that approached the threshold of magic, two stick in my mind and in my collection. The first was a hammer forged blade by Steve Brooks made into a knife by a good friend of mine. Moose horn handle, elongated guard. I love the knife, it could have been carried on the belt of a trapper two hundred years ago. Bob Lunceford made this knife and sheath for me. [Thanks Bob!]

The second knife that comes close to magic is actually a pair of knives. I wanted light and fast fighters (not wood choppers) and I contacted Jerry Hossom. He talked to me about the knives I wanted (a matched pair, he balked at first, but said he'd try). He took my size into consideration, and even had me send him my hand measurements. I got the knives very quickly (five months), and they're breathtaking. They fit me just right, like a finely crafted custom tailored suit. Not magic perhaps, but as close as I think I'll come. [Thanks Jerry!] www.hossom.com

Matt
 
Sorry Brian,

I'm just not that crazy about its edge holding abilities (or lack thereof). Maybe I'm more of a novice then I thought I was, but it's about the only steel that takes me forever to sharpen. How's your luck with it?

Al
 
I agree with you one hundred percent about Benchmade ATS-34, I had a Spike and an XL CQC-7, and I couldn't put an edge on either of them. I assumed this was the ATS-34 until I got a REKAT Pioneer -- same steel, but the difference in the kind of edge I can put on it is night and day. That knife takes and holds a razor-sharp edge much better than almost anything else I own.
 
Sorry, I have a BM mini-stryker with ATS-34 and cannot get the edge I want (and that this steel is capable of). Surprisingly enough it does seem to go dull just sitting there. No problem though, I gave it to my nephew--cause it looks "cool". He's happy and I'm a little light in the pocketbook, but, then again I won't have to buy him a Christmas present. Sounds like all winners. I went on to invest in 440v-Random Task and Richochet. Wouldn't trade those. Sebenza is next.
 
Tangus and SpecialK

I have several ATS34 knives. Yep, they are a bit overrated in the edgeholding department.
Never have any trouble sharpening with the Lansky....which I can't find since my move in May !!!!
The EdgePro is ok, too...just a pig to find correct angles when resetting. The gradations on the vertical rod are a sick joke. Especially for an old bloke who wears bifocals.
But, I digress. The ATS34 stuff is, in my opinion, a decent steel. But for edge holding it doesn't compare with BG42 or CPM440v. Or D2. Well, D2 isn't quite stainless...although it doesn't seem to stain any more quickly than 34.
But 34 is more user friendly in the field :that is, I would rather sharpen 34 in the bush than the others. I actually disposed of the CPM440V Military because I didn't want to have to sharpen it
smile.gif



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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343


 
OK, I don't know how many times my XL tanto Voyager is going to apply when I come here. It always seems to. Believe it or not, I LOVE that knife. I just got my 710 and Native, and while playing with my new toys, I realized, "Hey, I'm NOT playing with my NEW toys; I'm playing with my old one!" My Voyager just feels so incredibly solid. It's a bear to open (at least compared to the other two), but once it's open, it's MAGIC. Besides, if you want to toughen that opening thumb up, practice on an XL Voyager; THEN go back to your Benchmades and complain about how tough it is to open with a thumbstud. I love my Voyager.

Howie
The weirdo
 
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