Popular Knives at any PRICE ?

I got to hand it to ya Underdog, you ain't boring. No doubt you kick up a little dust by speaking you mind, but I say "go for it." These old geezers enjoy it! They aint foolin' me one bit.
Greg
 
Just cause there is better than 440c available, that doesn't make 440c bad.

As Les sez:
"Buy what you like"
 
440C isn't a bad steel. But I agree with Tom Mayo, that is 1950's technology.

There are better steels. So especially in regards to a custom knife, why not take advantage of better materials.

It's best to match up the steel for the intended purpose. You want a dive knife...use 440C. Although the arguement can be made for Stellite or Talonite. As these will provide even more rust resistance.

However, cost will be a factor.

Now that steels are being made with knife making in mind. I suspect you will start to see even more variants show up.
 
Hey, Barkley IS likely talking about my buddy Ken...but that's OK. He HAS used 440C in a number of his knives...and guess what? Living in Hawaii that steel has proven a wise choice. Since I'm just guessing, (and Mitch, you know WELL that Ken's stuff sells for $800 plus on the SECONDARY market...so it likely IS who we're talking about here)...let me just add that in the last year, I've seen pretty much nothing but BG-42 (which Ken grinds HARDENED), and he's even made me a knife out of Cowrey (a Japanese laminate steel). Ken's currently investigating some stuff that Mayo and Mitch may have only seen, that are titanium in nature, and NOTHING about his dabblings into steel is ORDINARY.

He's got a slab of Al Pendray's Wootz hardened and ready to make a custom. He's got some Jerry Rados Turkish from me. He's got ANYTHING he wants, and believe me, he knows his stuff. The line that forms three hours to his table prior to ANY show (and the subsequent 5 minute complete sell off of 20+ customs is nothing I've - or most any other custom maker - has seen before)

Now this is assuming the "Charles" is referring to the Onion. If not, well I agree that 50's technology is outmoded too...but there's always some good reason behind things. Who knows. If you wish to check out Ken's own site and forum, look here: www.kenonionknives.com

...and Mr. Barkley, good for you to hold to your guns! If it's Onion, then I'll fill in some blanks, as I'm doing his marketing...if not, you've certainly got a great thread going!!
 
Bravo Ty!

While I realize that Ken's plain stuff sells for above $800, it is flawed for someone to complain about a makers choices based on aftermarket prices :)

Ken does have some R&D/exotic type materials - it's just mind boggling!

~Mitch
 
Underdog , How much extensive testing have you done in your life on the various blade steels to make such a cocky statement? And why do you asume it is for the sake of saving a couple bucks ? You obviously don't have a clue about what your talking about.
It's real easy to point an accusing finger at someone and make hollow malicious coments at someone while basking in the comfort of your own anonymity.
I test everything in depth and don't follow the new buzz steels just because they sound good. There is more to a blade steel than edge retention. I havn't used 440-c for over a year. Though I feel it is one of the most well rounded blade steels for a folder and I'll stick to that, my tests prove that and they don't lie.
I have switched to BG-42 for my basic steel. but will probably be switching to s30v if the tests confirm the data.Although I use and have used a multitude of steels as well as things you have probably never heard of.
I could go into detail as to why I don't use alot of the other alloys .But prefer not to as I don't want to discredit other makers choices.
BTW I don't sell my standard knives for 800.00 , More proof you don't know what the hell your saying.
 
Whoever told you that you can grind three 440-C blades in the same time it takes to grind one s30v blade has never ground either. I'll take that bet any time. Or are you making that one up as you go along for the sake of drama also?
 
Ken,
Please feel free to send me one of those substandard knives of your's with a 440c blade;).For some reason I am having a hell of a time finding one.As with most products the market will dictate if it will sink or swim and in this case it is obvious which way it has gone.The bottom line is if you don't like or want it don't buy it.
 
Quick note, gents.

I realize that passions are apt to run high in this thread so let's try not to venture off into namecalling and abusive posts so that we can keep the discussion going for as long as folks care to.

Sorry for the interruption.
 
Thanks for redirecting the discussion Blues,

I don't know why Ken is getting so upset :rolleyes: Jerry was talking about "a CERTAIN makers knife is in HIGH demand" ...but uses "440c as the main blade"...and that maker charges "$800 plus for a high-end tactical folder" and Jerry has "the impression that the maker is capitalizing on his current popularity at the expense of the buyer..and of course is seeing his profit margin go sky high as ei is using much cheaper material..than competing makers." :rolleyes: Obviously he's not talking about Ken because the only part of the description that fits Ken is that his knives are in high demand - I guess we just got a little sensitive :rolleyes:

~Mitch

p.s. I'm pretty sure Jerry evoked the response he was looking for - damn Pot Stirrer :)
 
I think that 440C is fine on customs, I own a small Tom Mayo TNT in Stellite 6K and it is an awesome cutter. The catch is that it is very expensive. I paid almost $500 for a 2 5/8" blade knife. I have also heard that Talonite/Stellite is not as tough as 440C. I know for a fact that 154CM/ATS-34 holds an edge better than 440C but it awfully brittle and prone to chipping, especially at harder RC's.

ALthough I have customs of Stellite, Talonite, CPM 3V, 154CM, I also have a couple of 440C folders made by a local guild member, Paul Meyers. Last Sunday at a knife show, Mr. Meyers told me about a customer who insisted on an ATS-34 blade instead of a 440C one, Paul made him one of teach and challenged him to identify which one was which after he returned from his hunting trip. The customer picked the 440C blade thinking that it was ATS-34. The point being that most users probablycannot tell the difference between most upper in steels in day to day use.
 
funny thread

I like some of the new hot CPM steels

but my favorite is that hot new talonite/stellite


say, weren't the Haynes alloys developed in the 30's???? :p :p :p
 
Originally posted by underdogizhere
DISCLAIMER: the following are MY own opinions and in no way meant to question or judge the maker under any circumstances!


well,
i am sure i will take a good brow beating on this one..but, since i have already been called the "charles barkley" of the knife forums on another forum..for speaking my mind and saying what others think but, won't say publicly...
Click to expand...

Are you sure you don't want to edit that out as well? Or do you figure Barkley won't show up to take notice?
 
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