Pattern vs steel? That's my question...

B

bgremill

Joined
Oct 7, 2009
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28
I cannot decide on my next edc knife and would really appreciate some input. I have carried medium stockmans, small stockman, trapper, swayback jack, and for the last year or so a camilus 14 which I guess is a Texas jack?
I felt the stockmans had too many blades for me, the trapper was a little too big, the swayback jack just did not feel right in my hand as I always want to hold it upside down, and the jack is about perfect except for the little pen blade.
I'm thinking the mini trapper would be perfect for me. 3 1/2 inches, two full blades; but,... I think I would prefer the wharncliff and clip rather than the clip and Spey. They only make the warn and clip in the SS and the clip and Spey in CV.
What do y'all think gents?
 
You are asking us which is more important to you? Only you can determine that.

For me it would be pattern over steel, unless I had a very specific use case that required a certain type of steel (for example, if I needed to use it in an environment where carbon steel would require a lot of care to avoid rusting). For most of my uses, it doesn't matter. My daily carry knives are SS, though I have a number of CV knives that I am not averse to carrying, I just don't happen to use them currently.
 
I think both steels are more than adequate for a regular ol' pocket knife intended for non-specific every day use. I'd pick a size that is comfortable to carry (otherwise, it'll just stay at home!) then a suitable pattern, then pick the steel I like best from my remaining options. If I was choosing a dedicated work knife, comfort in hand, blade geometry/size and steel would all have equal consideration based on the intended purpose.

Good luck with your decision! :)

-Brett
 
I only have opinion and guesses but...

I personally always liked Case CV a lot and was not impressed with their stainless also. However, I have read posts lately by people who I have found to be knowledgeable stating that the Case stainless has gotten better and is not much worse than the CV now.

I am very much a carbon steel guy but... there is still the easier care factor. Combination of getting the pattern you want and the steel being in hailing distance might make me go stainless.

Close decision.
 
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The spey is the subject of near endless debate on its actual utility. Because you have owned full-size trappers and an SBJ, I am sure that you know whether your preference of spey over wharncliffe (or vice versa) is a dealbreaker. I don't think the difference in CV and Trusharp is as stark as some make it out to be, other than the patina question (that is a stark difference all by itself). Is there one, yes, absolutely, but Trusharp is a perfectly adequate steel for most uses. If you have a Swiss Army Knife, it is fairly comparable. Probably the single biggest difference between Trusharp and CV is that for acute edges, Trusharp wires up pretty easily and will roll. You might be well advised, if you are an acute guy, to have one of your blades a little less acute or a little coarser if you go with the Trusharp.
 
Try the mini trapper with Wharncliffe and clip, I think you will like it. Especially if you like the Texas Jack. Just a little bit larger, but close to the same feel in hand. The clip is a tad stiffer to open since the pull groove is closer to the pivot, but not a nail breaker. Just my opinion, as I really like mine.
Harold
 
MarkPinTx said:
The spey is the subject of near endless debate on its actual utility. Because you have owned full-size trappers and an SBJ, I am sure that you know whether your preference of spey over wharncliffe (or vice versa) is a dealbreaker. I don't think the difference in CV and Trusharp is as stark as some make it out to be, other than the patina question (that is a stark difference all by itself). Is there one, yes, absolutely, but Trusharp is a perfectly adequate steel for most uses. If you have a Swiss Army Knife, it is fairly comparable. Probably the single biggest difference between Trusharp and CV is that for acute edges, Trusharp wires up pretty easily and will roll. You might be well advised, if you are an acute guy, to have one of your blades a little less acute or a little coarser if you go with the Trusharp.
Click to expand...

Tru-Sharp burrs more easily when sharpening, and it takes a little more work to clean those up, because the burrs/wires are rather tenacious in not letting go. They'll fold back & forth all day long, and need to be gently abraded away, as opposed to breaking them off. That's the only difference I've seen between CV and Tru-Sharp. The appropriate choice of stropping compound makes cleaning those up easy; white rouge (AlOx) works great for this. Once the burrs are taken care of, these two steels look nearly identical in my uses. I take my edges as acute as possible (30° inclusive or lower), and finish them to mirror/near-mirror (wet/dry 2k+ equivalent). I don't see any more tendency of the Tru-Sharp to roll more easily, based only on edge angle or finish, as compared to CV. Any obvious rolling issues I've seen were due to burrs/wires (weakened remnants of sharpening) not having been completely cleaned up. Otherwise, it'll go just as thin or polished as the CV, and perform accordingly.

When thinking about it, the heavier and more tenacious burrs tend to be left by coarser sharpening stages anyway. Case's low-grit, belt-applied factory edges often bear this out, with heavy burrs out of the box. My preferred process of cleaning those up, using white rouge compound on a hard-backed paper or linen strop, also leaves a much finer finish & polish in the end. So I end up with the more acute edges I like, at a higher finish, which cut like lasers. Seems as if thin & polished is what's meant to be, on these.

(I am definitely one of the 'acute guys'... :D )


David
 
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Give the Case saddlehorn a try. I had one for many years, and still find it a nice EDC. Not too large, not too small. I have heard mixed reviews about Case's tru-sharp over the years, but it seems to work fine for me. I really enjoy the SS in the summer time when sweat is an issue.
 
With case, it's always a "if only they made this in cv".
Carbon agrees with me, stainless doesnt. I won't carry a dull knife.
 
Well, rather unorthodox reply, if you insist on blade configuration of clip and wharny in CV, than buy the CV version with spey and carefully modify the spey to whatever you like. You'll have fun modding and then you'll have one of kind favorite EDC.

Mike
 
Pattern every time of the day.

Be honest? If you do not like the looks why would you EDC a knife? ;)

And do not reply like: "I need this blade/pattern and that for whatever!" ... if in doubt just go Custom, there is so many great makers out there you can always find something visually pleasing to do the job! ;)
 
I'm keeping out of this one. I'm a steel junky.
 
mike Berkovitch said:
Well, rather unorthodox reply, if you insist on blade configuration of clip and wharny in CV, than buy the CV version with spey and carefully modify the spey to whatever you like. You'll have fun modding and then you'll have one of kind favorite EDC.

Mike
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
That's a great idea. The thinly-ground CV blades from Case will also be very easy to re-shape with simpler tools, which is a big bonus.


David
 
I myself started studying steels before I got into knives, so for me, it comes down to steel. However, I am very new to all this and find myself drawn to certain patterns. I wouldn't mind hearing more on this topic.
 
Thanks for the replies guys! Guess I should respond to some of the things that came up. NalOn stole my thunder as that's where I was going next. It's not that I HATE the Spey; but, the warncliff just seems so much more practical for my daily uses. And they are so easy to maintain is ridiculous.
I am an acute edge kinda guy which is why I have strongly leaned toward the CV in the past. Thanks for the info Dave with regards to getting the burr off of the SS. I'll be sure to try that on my trapper to see if I'm good enough to apply your advice. I'll be sure to get to you to let you know.
I do live in New Orleans and live within a block of salt water so you would think that the stainless would be a no brainer for me, but...
Actually, I think I will order the SS and see how I like it. It's a knife for crying out loud. If I hate it, I'll get another.

Thanks again.

Brent
 
'Nuff said!

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If it were me and set on a Case knife, I'd pick from one of the available models in CV.
I also don't care for wharncliife blades. :p
And I strongly recommend selecting your Case knife in person to inspect it before paying money. In particular, the only Mini-trapper I've ever purchased isn't good.

I felt the stockmans had too many blades for me, the trapper was a little too big, the swayback jack just did not feel right in my hand as I always want to hold it upside down, and the jack is about perfect except for the little pen blade.
Click to expand...
Check out the Peanut and Slim Trapper models in CV. Maybe?
 
Why didn't I think of it sooner, the perfect knife for you is the Mini Copperhead. Only available in ss, but worth the trade-off to get the pattern. Excellent ergonomics, and the quality of mine is very good.

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