Non-Stainless PM Tool Steel Tip Cutters?

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Karl H

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Apr 24, 2020
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Based on a brief search, I am having trouble finding many knives that are optimized for tip cutting (straight, reverse curve, reverse S-curve edges) that are made from non-stainless PM tool steels (CPM 4V, Cru-Wear, M4, REX 45, HAP 40, K190, etc).

I am aware of a few Spyderco sprints & exclusives that are out of production and only available on the secondary market (M4 Dodo, M4 Yojimbo 2, M4 Air by Gayle Bradley), but not much else. I would like to know what other options are available for this particular niche.

For reference, I currently use a CPM REX-45 Native 5 knife for most of my tip cutting tasks. It works well, but I am interested in trying other knives that might be even better suited for the application of tip cutting.
 
Clear as mud ...
Soooo ... what you're looking for is a knife with a (true) Wharncliffe, or Sheepsfoot, or Lambsfoot, or Coping blade made of non-stainless "super steel"?
I have no idea what the blades you mention are ... "Reverse S Curve Tip" ... WTF is that? A pruning or linoleum/carpet knife?
 
afishhunter said:
Clear as mud ...
Soooo ... what you're looking for is a knife with a (true) Wharncliffe, or Sheepsfoot, or Lambsfoot, or Coping blade made of non-stainless "super steel"?
I have no idea what the blades you mention are ... "Reverse S Curve Tip" ... WTF is that? A pruning or linoleum/carpet knife?
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The essential idea is no "belly" in front of an "acute" tip.
Sheepsfoot & lambsfoot blades without blunted tips would also fit my criteria.
 
Well if you're looking for a less common blade shape in a more exotic steel you're gonna have issues.

I would suggest picking a couple of your most preferred steels and starting to talk to custom makers on blade shape.
 
Karl H said:
The essential idea is no "belly" in front of an "acute" tip.
Sheepsfoot & lambsfoot blades without blunted tips would also fit my criteria.
Click to expand...
Sorry, that CRKT "Wharncliffe" really isn't a true Wharncliffe.
A True Wharncliffe has zero curvature on the cutting edge. A true Wharncliffe's cutting edge is ruler straight.
The "blunted" tips on the Sheepsfoot and Lambsfoot provide extra control and to exert more pressure when cutting with the tip, which is what you claim to want.

What are you cutting? Is this wanted for some fantasy "self defense" blade?
Real World reality check: Without significant training and constant practice, a knife --any knife-- is the worst thing you could possibly choose for "self defense". Don't fall for Cold Steel's B.S. marketing that a knife is a good choice for a "weapon" and if you pull it the bad guy will run away. It ain't, and the bad guy ain't gonna run away if you pull a knife. (s/he might laugh at you though. BTW most armed bad guys are going to have a gun, not a knife.)
If you're looking for self defense, get a handgun and a CCW as required. (also practice with the hand gun) and pray you are never in a situation where you need to use it. Trust me on never having to use it.
 
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IMHO, the Chris Reeve Insingo blade is among the best on the market for tip cutting. It's only available in a PM stainless, but it makes up what it lacks in super steel with super geometry. :cool:

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But seriously, the Insingo's performance is just outstanding, especially if you are looking to make precise cuts using the tip of the blade.
 
After thinking about this a bit, it does seem there aren’t a lot of choices in production blades in the steels you are looking for.


I can certainly understand the desire for one, as tip cutting with a nice hook is a very effective way to slice through media.

As mentioned earlier, custom might be the best route.
 
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A few of the power points. Modified seax. Reverse belly usually called talons or hawkbills; O'Neill called his 'the claw'
I also got a bunch of Wharncliffes

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Pick your steel and call your local knife smith.

forgot to add, Hinderer I think makes a modified Wharncliffe that I like, not sure about the steel
 
afishhunter said:
Sorry, that CRKT "Wharncliffe" really isn't a true Wharncliffe.
A True Wharncliffe has zero curvature on the cutting edge. A true Wharncliffe's cutting edge is ruler straight.
The "blunted" tips on the Sheepsfoot and Lambsfoot provide extra control and exert more pressure when cutting with the tip, which is what you claim to want.

What are you cutting? Is this wanted for some fantasy "self defense" blade?
Real World reality check: Without significant training and constant practice, a knife --any knife-- is the worst thing you could possibly choose for "self defense". Don't fall for Cold Steel's B.S. marketing that a knife is a good choice for a "weapon" and if you pull it the bad guy will run away. It ain't, and the bad guy ain't gonna run away if you pull a knife. (s/he might laugh at you though. BTW most armed bad guys are going to have a gun, not a knife.)
If you're looking for self defense, get a handgun and a CCW as required. (also practice with the hand gun) and pray you are never in a situation where you need to use it. Trust me on never having to use it.
Click to expand...
Agreed.

If you don't have any training - attempting to defend yourself with a knife is basically giving a knife to your attacker.

Also, after successfull self defense either with a knife or a gun - you have one other battle to fight, the one at court.

Get a gun or stick to pepper spray for such application. Pepper spray is the best option as it's effective, easy to use while giving you some distance and it won't land you in prison.
 
I have no intention of using this knife for self-defense. I don’t know why afishhunter thought I was.

My intention is to use it for cutting boxes, wood, textiles, rubber, leather, etc. I fully realize that non-stainless PM tool steels are not needed for these tasks, it is just my preference.
 
Karl H said:
I have no intention of using this knife for self-defense. I don’t know why afishhunter thought I was.

My intention is to use it for cutting boxes, wood, textiles, rubber, leather, etc. I fully realize that non-stainless PM tool steels are not needed for these tasks, it is just my preference.
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I think your best bet would be a custom maker.

Not many companies use those steels in the blade shaped you need. Especially the reverse S curve. I think a wharncliffe with a slight cant (downward tilted blade) would work great for that purpose. 4V, K390, Z-Wear, Vanadis 8 would all be great candidates for that.

Are you looking for fixed blades or a folder?
 
Take a look at GEC #62, or a 35 calf pen if you need a longer blade. Not pm steel by a long shot but tbh their 1095 is done right so it holds an edge well and sharpens easy. The blades are thin to start with and the grinds are good so very slicey. Being smallish Knives, traditionals tend to be great for using the tip as they are easy to position in your hand without being forced into choils or grooves. There are other Traditional and “modern traditional” using fancier steels out there too...
 
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