Ranking of Steels in Categories based on Edge Retention cutting 5/8" rope

Diablo_331 said:
Wow! You read my exact thoughts on that one! I'd like to know this well.

Also, from what I'd gathered, the spyderco brown medium stone (or a similar finish) will give M390 a nice toothy, aggressive, cutting edge that will last longer then any other edge at any reasonable angle? Am I correct in thinking this? I also know that what I'm cutting will have a big role in edge retention. These two knives (PM2 M390 and HTM Gunhammer in M390) are currently in my edc rotation and will be used to cut anything from packaging tape to tie wraps to thin gauge metal if the need were to arise. Both are currently sporting a 40 degree micro bevel, fwiw.

I also have another question, which I think would have the best chance of getting answered here. Has anyone ever done a hardness test on the two Spyderco Gayle Bradleys? Both the large knife and also the Air as I own both and am really curious. Also as a follow up to that, what would be the best working edge for the M4 in the larger of the two Gayle Bradleys? This knife is only just entering my edc rotation and still sports a factory edge. It will be used for the same purposes as mentioned above.

The Air's blade has been convexed, then acid etched, and finally a 40 degree micro bevel was applied. The Air will be carried only situations where a larger folder cannot be. Such as a wedding that I recently attended so edge performance isn't a huge deal here. I will add though that the edge that's currently on the Air is stupid sharp and I'm rather proud of it. :-)
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I hesitate to veer sharply off topic, but here's what I remember about the original Gayle Bradley folder - I know nothing about the Air.

According to Sal Glesser, the original target for the GB folder was ~62 Rc (which probably should be a range, so probably 60-62 Rc). The initial production run was tested by both Spyderco and Mr. Bradley at 64-65 Rc, much higher than intended. To my knowledge, no one has ever tested any of the subsequent production runs of the GB folder. Take that where you will...
 
That is also the range that I've heard but I cannot remember where I saw this. Can you possibly provide any links or other proof of this?
 
If what you say is true then I suppose an email to Mr. Bradley himself could solve this mystery of mine as well. I'd rather not bother the man as I know he is probably busy. Any and all leads will be greatly appreciated on my part. :-)

Edit #3 lol: Before I email the man himself, if all else fails, I'll post a thread on the Spyderco forum and ask my question there. The only information I can find pertains to the original run with the solid liners. Mine has the skeletonized (sp?) liners so things probably have changed since then.
 
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JNewell said:
I hesitate to veer sharply off topic, but here's what I remember about the original Gayle Bradley folder - I know nothing about the Air.

According to Sal Glesser, the original target for the GB folder was ~62 Rc (which probably should be a range, so probably 60-62 Rc). The initial production run was tested by both Spyderco and Mr. Bradley at 64-65 Rc, much higher than intended. To my knowledge, no one has ever tested any of the subsequent production runs of the GB folder. Take that where you will...
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Yes, and a good indicator of the first run is that they never had the texas logo on the blade. I think M4 @64-65 is a better range for knife enthusiasts, but not the general population. The high hardness first run should be up higher in the category of edge retention and very rare. I have no idea how many were made without the texas logo, but it cant be many. I have one without the texas logo and one of the later production models. The liners also weren't drilled out in the initial run.
 
Diablo_331 said:
That is also the range that I've heard but I cannot remember where I saw this. Can you possibly provide any links or other proof of this?
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Proof? I didn't think I was being deposed? ;)

Diablo_331 said:
If what you say is true then I suppose an email to Mr. Bradley himself could solve this mystery of mine as well. I'd rather not bother the man as I know he is probably busy. Any and all leads will be greatly appreciated on my part. :-)

Edit #3 lol: Before I email the man himself, if all else fails, I'll post a thread on the Spyderco forum and ask my question there. The only information I can find pertains to the original run with the solid liners. Mine has the skeletonized (sp?) liners so things probably have changed since then.
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You can use the search function at Spyderco Forums - you will find the thread on the original run. I am pretty sure that no one has posted any information about any later production of the original GB folder, which is sort of odd. :) I also don't remember any info on the Air, but you could ask and see if anyone has had one tested.

gine said:
Yes, and a good indicator of the first run is that they never had the texas logo on the blade. I think M4 @64-65 is a better range for knife enthusiasts, but not the general population. The high hardness first run should be up higher in the category of edge retention and very rare. I have no idea how many were made without the texas logo, but it cant be many. I have one without the texas logo and one of the later production models. The liners also weren't drilled out in the initial run.
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That is the only real proof that it is a first run GB, although box labels are date coded. It may also be true that only the first run had solid liners - I don't remember. Again in the category of IIRC, I remember Sal Glesser posting that the number shipped without the Weatherford logo was a little over 100. I have two of those and my older son has another.
 
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These are the only authoritative posts I know of on the GB folder, early run. As far as I know, no one tested later runs or the Air. The posts below are both here at Bladeforums.

Sal Glesser said:
Our plan was about 62/63. Gayle Tested one and he said it was closer to 65. CPM-M4 can take the higer hardness if that's so. We'll be doing a sample testing next week.

sal
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Sal Glesser said:
Our tests so far showed Gayle to be correct.

sal
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KalEl said:
I think ELMAX is a great choice for 6-8in blades where stainlessness is needed. I'm also interested in using it for some dive knives and would like to know what HT protocol will result in the best stain resistance. Can't seem to find the info anywhere.
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If you want a steel for dive knives consider using N360 or N680 nitrogen stainless steels.

Benchmade has had excellent results using N680. It take a sharp edge and is easy to sharpen.

N360 is harder to find. We have a sheet in route to us. It has slightly better edge holding than 440C and is extremely tough.

The corrosion resistance of both steels is excellent.

Tbl--Elements.gif
Tbl-N360.gif
Tbl-N680.gif


Here are links to data sheets for both steels:
http://www.alphaknifesupply.com/Pictures/Info/Steel/N360-DS.pdf
http://www.alphaknifesupply.com/Pictures/Info/Steel/N680-DS.pdf
 
If we all do our part, its pretty easy to keep this thread alive. This thread is a good area to talk steel and keep up to date on testing and performance.:cool:
 
I'll do my part. And just because Spark doesn't like a certain customer doesn't mean that anyone else wouldn't benefit if this were stickied.

Anyways, looking forward to some Maxamet testing in the future. And that BD75P.
 
Well, just for chatting's sake. 3V at 62RC +/- has done very well in my use. Still quite tough, but should have around the wear resistance of S30V at that hardness. This is a full flat ground custom from Tom Krein, Peter's Heat Treat.
 
Hey Jim, are you interested in testing some CPM 4V in a custom from me?
I have one that is ready I could send you very soon if you are ready for it.
 
Big Chris said:
Hey Jim, are you interested in testing some CPM 4V in a custom from me?
I have one that is ready I could send you very soon if you are ready for it.
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I would like to speak for him and say yes:D I am very interested in CPM 4V, and 9V.
 
nccole said:
I would like to speak for him and say yes:D I am very interested in CPM 4V, and 9V.
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I have had a very difficult time finding 9V in thicknesses for knife blades. I can 1/2" pretty easy, but generally I work with thickness under 3/16" and that is a lot of material to lose. Just in case someone makes the statement, my saw is not very good at ripping the thickness down.
 
I would like to see CPM 4V, since it not commonly used. It should be between 3V and M4 in toughness and wear resistance, if I remember correctly.
 
Big Chris, what kind of final hardness are you getting from your 9V , and how is the edge holding up?

Thanks,

Joe
 
The Mastiff said:
Big Chris, what kind of final hardness are you getting from your 9V , and how is the edge holding up?

Thanks,

Joe
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Joe,
I have not found a good source for 9V yet, but my 4V I am getting between 62 and 64. The knife I plan to send to Jim tested at 62.
 
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