- Joined
- Dec 21, 2006
- Messages
- 3,158
This week I have a knife to offer in Crucible's latest cutlery steel, CPM S45VN. This is the latest development in Crucible's line of cutlery stainless steels, following in the line of S60V, S90V, S30V, and S35VN. I'll include a link to Larrin Thomas's excellent article on S45VN so you can read about the thought process behind Crucible when they created this steel....https://knifesteelnerds.com/2019/11/01/crucible-s45vn-steel/. If you're not familiar with Larrin's work, take a look through his website. He has a PhD in metallurgy, and has done a LOT of work testing steels and giving makers access to his findings. S45VN has a better balance of properties over S30V and S35VN, but the changes were relatively small. To sum up the changes, we can expect better toughness than S30V and S35VN, better corrosion resistance than both, and wear resistance about equal with S30V. The heat treatment I used included a prequench, which refines the austenite grain structure, which also improves toughness. I don't know of any commercial heat treating companies offering prequench as part of their protocol, but that's part of what separates a custom heat treat from the rest! After plate/forced air quench, a "cryo" extended quench, and triple tempers, the final hardness is ~63HRC. The blade has a full flat grind and was hand rubbed for a satin finish. The edge geometry is quite thin, y'all know me! The spine features thumb jimping and was polished for a contrast to the satin bevels. Moving on to the handle, it is made from black and gray micarta that I bought from the local Woodcraft. This is the first micarta I've used and I really like how it is slightly tacky feeling. Not as slippery as wood or G10. Overall I think the knife looks really really good with the black/gray handle and the sleekness of the blade. After using diamond plates to establish and refine the edge, it is, to put it so blatantly, "stupid sharp"!!! It is going to be an excellent cutting machine with the particle metallurgy, the new and improved cutlery steel, the custom heat treatment, the edge geometry, and let's face it....a little TLC never hurt anyone! Hunting season is almost upon us, and I don't know about you, but I am so excited to get out in nature and escape a little of the 2020 madness! After what we have all been through, someone out there deserves a new knife!
OAL: 7 7/8"
Blade: 3 1/2"
Handle: 4 3/8"
Thickness: 0.090" taper to tip, with thumb jimping
Steel: Crucible CPM S45VN, 63HRC
Handle: Black/Gray micarta
Edge: 14° per side, 0.008" prior to sharpening, DMT 3 micron
Asking price is only SOLD and includes a custom made kydex sheath as well as free shipping anywhere in the USA! Paypal preferred (samuraistuart@yahoo.com) (same as my email address if you would like to send an email). All of my knives come with lifetime unconditional warranties. Thank you for taking a look and follow me on Instagram: stuartalandavenport
I am raising my prices a little to better reflect the quality of the overall product. The raw materials are sourced from the best knife supply outfits in the nation. The fit and finish are always very clean. I always use hand rubbed blade finishes. The heat treatment is among the best available. The geometry is tailored specifically for the intended use. They are always shipped with extremely sharp edges. There is no better warranty. Thank you for supporting my work! Without you, I wouldn't even be here! YOU make this possible!
OAL: 7 7/8"
Blade: 3 1/2"
Handle: 4 3/8"
Thickness: 0.090" taper to tip, with thumb jimping
Steel: Crucible CPM S45VN, 63HRC
Handle: Black/Gray micarta
Edge: 14° per side, 0.008" prior to sharpening, DMT 3 micron
Asking price is only SOLD and includes a custom made kydex sheath as well as free shipping anywhere in the USA! Paypal preferred (samuraistuart@yahoo.com) (same as my email address if you would like to send an email). All of my knives come with lifetime unconditional warranties. Thank you for taking a look and follow me on Instagram: stuartalandavenport
I am raising my prices a little to better reflect the quality of the overall product. The raw materials are sourced from the best knife supply outfits in the nation. The fit and finish are always very clean. I always use hand rubbed blade finishes. The heat treatment is among the best available. The geometry is tailored specifically for the intended use. They are always shipped with extremely sharp edges. There is no better warranty. Thank you for supporting my work! Without you, I wouldn't even be here! YOU make this possible!
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