Phil Wilson Smoke Creek Vanadis 10

Mike157 said:
No kidding! I can't tell you how badly I was hoping this was on the exchange when I first saw the thread title. Mike
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I haven't seen a whole lot of Phil's knives on the secondary market. I think they would hold there value well. The thing is, people tend keep the knife because they know that they have a great performing working blade.
 
kubelik said:
really liking the two-tone g-10 handles, one of the most attractive g-10 wave patterns I've seen... the only thing that would be even cooler would be if a portion of the tang were to be embedded within the red g-10 spacer, although I'm sure realistically that would be a pretty tricky thing to do. that's a fantastic knife you have there!
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The scales are black linen Micarta I believe. The micarta pattern looks a little different then some I've seen before. I asked Phil to choose the handle material on this and I didn't get the details. I assumed with my experience that it is linen micarta. The tang could go through the spacer but I don't see the point as its meant to save on material costs,weight, price ect. The construction is strong enough that the blade would likely break before any tang issues would result.
 
waterstoneblades said:
I haven't seen a whole lot of Phil's knives on the secondary market. I think they would hold there value well. The thing is, people tend keep the knife because they know that they have a great performing working blade.
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Once in awhile one will pop up someplace.

They hold their value exceptionally well lets say. :D
 
waterstoneblades said:
The scales are black linen Micarta I believe. The micarta pattern looks a little different then some I've seen before. I asked Phil to choose the handle material on this and I didn't get the details. I assumed with my experience that it is linen micarta. The tang could go through the spacer but I don't see the point as its meant to save on material costs,weight, price ect. The construction is strong enough that the blade would likely break before any tang issues would result.
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thanks for that info; once you said it, I realized that the scales do look like linen micarta and not g10 ... either way I really like the subtle wave pattern on the scales, it adds visual interest but without being too flashy. is this knife more of a collector / keepsake knife for you or a user? if you do use it, what do you use it for? I ask because I have a 4-3/4" fixed blade that I acquired rather early in my knife-collecting hobby which I've sort of struggled to find uses for. I try to use all of my blades, whether they are customs or sprint runs or just beaters, but the compact fixed blade knife has me a little stumped as to its optimal use.
 
Lots of guys prefer compact fixed-blades where guts/grease/feathers/scales/hair/etc. could get in the joints of a folder.
This one is 3 3/4", pretty good (perfect) for game and livestock (fish/fowl/beast/etc.), rope/cord, kitchen use, some wood carving... general utility :thumbup:
Add an inch and it could still work for those tasks (I use a Scrapmax 460 butchering goats and fish) but the extra length may not be necessary and could get in the way *shrug* If you feel it deserves a new home, just put it up on the exchange, that's what i do. As was already mentioned, not a lot of Wilson's work showing up there ;)
 
I always enjoy seeing Phil's work. Nothing that shouldn't be there. Enough strength for the job plus a safety margin. Comfortable grips made to last but not fancy unless that is what you ordered. The steelwork is a true work of art without being an art, grinds superb.

I'd like to know how Phil rates this steel compared to others in the A11 family.

Joe
 
Waterstoneblades, and all, very nice photo, thanks. The handle material is black canvas Micarta. I got a supply of this one years ago and it is unique as pointed out. Texture is very course and grippy if finished with 180 grit. The idea of a partial tang is not original with me. Wayne Goddard was doing this on his early knives since he was using planer blade steel for blades and they were not long enough for a full tang. Bob Loveless even made a few that way. I like the balance and gives me a way to put in some contrasting colors. I use a G10 liner when using wood scales for a little extra strength. It does save some blade steel and is appreciated when it comes time to buy a sheet. I often say if I could save all the steel I waste I would not have to ever buy any more. Vanadius 10 extra is a fairly new grade to me and have been playing with heat treat to find the sweet spot. It is basically a A11 grade but with added chrome. I was able to obtain a small amount to try it out and hope to get more in the future. Joe-- I would put it in the same category as CPM 10V, K390, K294. I look for big differences in testing and kind of depends on hardness and geometry as much as the grade. CPM M4 is also in that category at the higher hardness point. (RC 63-65). Phil
 
Phil Wilson said:
Waterstoneblades, and all, very nice photo, thanks. The handle material is black canvas Micarta. I got a supply of this one years ago and it is unique as pointed out. Texture is very course and grippy if finished with 180 grit. The idea of a partial tang is not original with me. Wayne Goddard was doing this on his early knives since he was using planer blade steel for blades and they were not long enough for a full tang. Bob Loveless even made a few that way. I like the balance and gives me a way to put in some contrasting colors. I use a G10 liner when using wood scales for a little extra strength. It does save some blade steel and is appreciated when it comes time to buy a sheet. I often say if I could save all the steel I waste I would not have to ever buy any more. Vanadius 10 extra is a fairly new grade to me and have been playing with heat treat to find the sweet spot. It is basically a A11 grade but with added chrome. I was able to obtain a small amount to try it out and hope to get more in the future. Joe-- I would put it in the same category as CPM 10V, K390, K294. I look for big differences in testing and kind of depends on hardness and geometry as much as the grade. CPM M4 is also in that category at the higher hardness point. (RC 63-65). Phil
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Phil, thanks for your words of wisdom. Do you see any improvement in corrosion resistance in V10 compared to K294? I got some light spots on K294 after breaking down a chicken, though it faired better then low alloy carbon steel. I have some CPM M4 from another maker at 64 rc and find the edge holding very good as well. I never thought to compared it to A11 grades but interesting to know your experience with it. Maybe I will order some in the future to try.
 
Waterstoneblades, from the chemistry it should have a bit better corrosion resistance than a std A11. I have not done a side by side test on that but have used it in the field a couple of times with no corrosion showing up on field dressing or skinning. I would guess that a big part of the added chrome ends in a complex carbide during the tempering as well. Phil
 
Phil Wilson said:
Waterstoneblades, from the chemistry it should have a bit better corrosion resistance than a std A11. I have not done a side by side test on that but have used it in the field a couple of times with no corrosion showing up on field dressing or skinning. I would guess that a big part of the added chrome ends in a complex carbide during the tempering as well. Phil
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V10 sounds promising! I'm enjoying the steel so far. Maybe just enough chromium for some stain resistance but not enough to effect its toughness. I will update this thread with some added info after I get more experience with it.
 
chiral.grolim said:
Lots of guys prefer compact fixed-blades where guts/grease/feathers/scales/hair/etc. could get in the joints of a folder.
This one is 3 3/4", pretty good (perfect) for game and livestock (fish/fowl/beast/etc.), rope/cord, kitchen use, some wood carving... general utility :thumbup:
Add an inch and it could still work for those tasks (I use a Scrapmax 460 butchering goats and fish) but the extra length may not be necessary and could get in the way *shrug* If you feel it deserves a new home, just put it up on the exchange, that's what i do. As was already mentioned, not a lot of Wilson's work showing up there ;)
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Some valid points there chiral! Thank you!
 
kubelik said:
thanks for that info; once you said it, I realized that the scales do look like linen micarta and not g10 ... either way I really like the subtle wave pattern on the scales, it adds visual interest but without being too flashy. is this knife more of a collector / keepsake knife for you or a user? if you do use it, what do you use it for? I ask because I have a 4-3/4" fixed blade that I acquired rather early in my knife-collecting hobby which I've sort of struggled to find uses for. I try to use all of my blades, whether they are customs or sprint runs or just beaters, but the compact fixed blade knife has me a little stumped as to its optimal use.
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I am using this knife. It will be properly cared for and my son may own it one day:)
 
Thanks for chiming in with the info Phil. I had wondered how that steel would stand up to the others you have used from the A11 class. It seems to be a good company that puts out consistently good, clean steels, some of which have interesting changes to the composition. If one could get consistency from batch to batch then it becomes a lot easier to learn the quirks of working the steel.

Joe
 
I got a shot of the linen micarta handle before it got dark here this afternoon. It is kind of a medium texture between standard linen and Canvas micarta. It is like cheese cloth as seen in the photo.
Untitled by waterstoneblades, on Flickr

Matt
 
That's a great looking knife, I'm hoping to be able to buy one from Phil sometime soon. I have a Spyderco Southfork and would love something similar in a drop point.

Regards

Nick
 
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