Question for the fixed blade users

einsteinjon

einsteinjon

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Dec 22, 2008
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Looking at CRK's website, the fixed blades seem to have lower hardness values than folders. For example, the Nyala is listed at 58-59 RC, and the Green Beret, Pacific, and Professional Soldier are all listed at 55-57 RC. The folders are 59-60 RC.

Does anyone have any opinions how these perform relating to edge retention? I love the fact that they bumped the folders up to 59-60 RC, but 55-57 RC seems really low as it pertains to edge retention (I'm particularly baffled by the Professional Soldier at 55-57 RC being such a small knife). Do you find yourself needing to sharpen or touch up the edge more often compared to the folders? Do you not notice much difference?

On another note, how are the grinds of the fixed blades? I love that CRK folders tend to be pretty thin grinds compared to other knives, but I've never experienced their fixed blades. Are they pretty thick grinds? Still pretty thin? One of my biggest pet peeves about knives in general is when the grind is so thick you can't even cut anything with the knife. (Not naming any names here :p)

I'm sure the answer will vary from knife to knife as I'm referring to all the different fixed blade sizes, but if you own any of the above I'd love to hear your opinions.
 
Although a harder steel has better edge retention, it also takes more time and patience to sharpen. Fixed blades are a hard use knife for extended cutting chores. Field sharpening a 55 to 57 is a breeze.
 
Think in terms of field use and toughness. Do you want a knife that you're using on a camping trip to be reliable and not prone to damage while on your outing, or do you want a knife that could snap doing something you never thought would cause the knife to break. That equates to a lower HRC number for dependability and toughness.
Do you want a knife in the field that can easily be brought back to hair popping sharpness with little effort or a knife that requires more of your time and probably a good stone to sharpen.
I don't own a CRK fixed blade, but I do have many other fixed blades that range from a low HRC to very high HRC.
For a one knife for all your chores, I'll pick a lower HRC any day. So what if I have to hone it a couple times a day. So what if it doesn't hold an hair popping edge the whole trip. But, I have a lot more confidence with that knife returning home without damage.
Every so often, I don't have the luxury of toting several knives on an outdoor adventure, for those times, I grab a reliable knife.
 
I should mention, sharpening in the field isn't really an issue for me. I'm mainly looking to use it in the yard at home, and maybe doing some house repair projects if it's one of the smaller knives. I know the reason for the lower RC, but field sharpening and beating on it isn't an issue for me. Just wondering how it compares to higher RC CRKs. :)

Also still curious about the grind/edge on them.
 
I've used a Professional Soldier quite a bit and never had a problem with edge-retention or chipping. I also have an extensively-used Umkhombe that has taken a beating and keeps on ticking.

Both came with perfectly serviceable edges but, over time, I've probably thinned them out a little bit on the stones.

All that being said, I don't have one of the newer higher-hardness folders with which to compare it nor would I compare the two as I wouldn't use my Sebenza for the same tasks I'd use the Umkhombe--assuming I had both with me (a fairly safe assumption.) :D

B
 
I have the Neil Roberts knife, but haven't used it as much as my 21. Both the same steel. It is easy to top off to a razor sharp edge. I like the steel/temper. When I was talking to Bill Harsey, he said it was "made" to perform like that. "Easy" to sharpen in the field.
 
Doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in this thread but I thought I'd follow up anyway. I emailed CRK about the hardness values because I noticed some pics of Professional Soldier birth cards saying 58-59 RC even though the CRK website said 55-57 RC. Turns out the 55-57 RC is wrong and it was one that got upgraded in late 2013. It has been 58-59 RC since then. They said they'd update the website accordingly, but so far it looks like the old RC is still there.

Just to confirm, that was the only one I asked about that had the error. I'm glad they cleared this up because I was really struggling to understand why that small of a knife would be 55-57 RC like the bigger fixed blades.
 
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