Mcusta MC55D - a bit of Rarity

U

UnknownVT

Joined
Feb 15, 2003
Messages
2,575


The Mcusta 55D The Gentlemen's Series folder Layered Copper / Steel / Brass Handle had been discontinued for a long time (at least in the USA) -
so it was a relatively rare commodity.
Even when it was available it was not a cheap model, with prices hovering around the $200 mark.

Imagine my surprise when I saw two of them for sale - one was mint in box/never used, and the one I bought at about half the price -
it was in "good"-ish condition for a used knife - but somewhat distressed for a collectible.

What do I mean?
- using the seller's own words, and one of their pics:
See picture, immediately below the “c” on Mcusta on the edge there is a tiny nick where I recall accidently slipping when cutting a box open and I hit metal with that part of the blade.
...
Also there is wear on the scales around where the clip attached to my pocket, ...
Click to expand...


I bought it with that understanding and hoped I was able to clean it up a bit...
and just because I always coveted one and at about 1/2 the original new price.

Although I was not going to remove the nick blade-
it was quite substantial -
and eventually it bothered me enough that I took it to my Work Sharp belt sharpener
and removed as little material as possible to get rid of the nick -
ended up in doing that in three stages -
first time I left enough nick that it was still easily noticeable -

that bothered me, so I re-did the sharpening so it was "gone" (barely there) by the naked eye -
but was still there by magnifying glass -

then I went WTH and did it again this time completely removing any trace of the nick -

since that was removing so little material - why have it bother me, even if I am OCD...

That was the easy part - cleaning up the scales was a lot more difficult.

Despite being metal and I thought good metal polish ought to refresh it.

But I think the original finish was matte - like extremely fine bead blast (seen under that clip)
- although metal polish would help even out the worn areas -
but could not eliminate the rub/sheen areas on the scales altogether.

So I just did the best that I could manually with metal polish without resorting to machine aided polishing which could not replace the original finish anyway.

Still I am very pleased I have this used MC55D -

Pictured with some of my favorite Mcustas -



Top to bottom:
113D - "Tsuchi" (small)
33D "Take"
55D
34D "Tsuchi"
(links to reviews)

Size comparison with standard Victorinox SAK (Spartan)




"Damascus" clad blade with VG10 core:


Liner lock - lock up is good, and action is smooth and fine -


Everything nicely lined up -


Not quite dead centered - but more than acceptable -


--
Vincent

http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent?showall=true
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
 
great collection Vincent, and review as usual ;)

cant wait to see new Mcusta line which is currently under development.
 
ludibes said:
great collection Vincent, and review as usual ;)

cant wait to see new Mcusta line which is currently under development.
Click to expand...

Many thanks for your kind words.

Here's a good photo of what the Mcusta 55D looks like new -

not my photo but found on the web from Vip-Horeca

What you just said about new Mcustas under development was even more interesting -

I had not heard of this -
is there somewhere I can look-see, please?

Thank you!

--
Vincent

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http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
 
well, I cant say much except new line is under production. I'm in contact with Mcusta product designer, one who designed MC113D, but japanese are stiff on sharing more info :)

here are two limited edition models made for Cutlery Festival :

https://scontent-b-fra.xx.fbcdn.net...=5c5e35d68f97966e66fc51d3256f7240&oe=54C32F13

https://scontent-b-fra.xx.fbcdn.net...=03d35158e669642d14da20effc94b84e&oe=54ACD0A7


Don't know are you avare, but Mcusta has updated MC 113D, I had first version and gifted it to a friend so I ordered same again. I was plesantly supprised to see thumbstuds are bit wider which totaly solves problems people had with one hand opening :) Also, handle scales have better inserts for torx screws, overal F&F is even nicer now.
 
ludibes said:
well, I cant say much except new line is under production. I'm in contact with Mcusta product designer, one who designed MC113D, but japanese are stiff on sharing more info :)

here are two limited edition models made for Cutlery Festival :

https://scontent-b-fra.xx.fbcdn.net...=5c5e35d68f97966e66fc51d3256f7240&oe=54C32F13

https://scontent-b-fra.xx.fbcdn.net...=03d35158e669642d14da20effc94b84e&oe=54ACD0A7


Don't know are you avare, but Mcusta has updated MC 113D, I had first version and gifted it to a friend so I ordered same again. I was plesantly supprised to see thumbstuds are bit wider which totaly solves problems people had with one hand opening :) Also, handle scales have better inserts for torx screws, overal F&F is even nicer now.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for the info
and the links to the pics - WoW! those look fancy -
especially the second one with the fish motif - that looks like a custom knife.

I did a Google image search on the pics and found the second pic on a web page for Robert Khatmullin:
http://vk.com/shikon?z=photo50999604_342109564%2Falbum50999604_00%2Frev

The MC113D is probably my favorite of all the Mcustas I have.
Great that you know the designer.
Have to see if I can check out the latest version of the 113D

Thank you very much.

--
Vincent

http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent?showall=true
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
 
I have the all damascus blade and handle Take and think it is a work of art - - with one flaw. As observed elsewhere , the all steel version is thinner than the wooden scaled versions, with the result that the two screws near the pivot joint are not recessed and rise above the surface of the handle spoiling the smooth feel and even the visual aesthetics of this wonderful knife.
 
althair said:
I have the all damascus blade and handle Take and think it is a work of art - - with one flaw. As observed elsewhere , the all steel version is thinner than the wooden scaled versions, with the result that the two screws near the pivot joint are not recessed and rise above the surface of the handle spoiling the smooth feel and even the visual aesthetics of this wonderful knife.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comment.
The all Damascus "Take" is the 33D -
I have done a review of that:

Review - Mcusta 33D "Take"

--
Vincent

http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent?showall=true
https://Youtube.com/user/vtVincent
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
 
Hi! Sweet knives. I am somehow glad to not be the only one who got “the Mcusta bug” :).
A great job with that blade nick! :thumbup:
 
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