Robeson Question

[sheajs]

I have a question for some the Robeson experts. I recently picked up a ShurEdge Trapper 622061 with red bone handles that is marked 1995. Does anyone know what steel it is? Also, What are your thoughts on this particular model as an EDC?

Thanks in Advance,

Scott

 

[knifeaholic]

The steel on the 1995 Robeson knives (made by Queen Cutlery) was PROBABLY 440A......there is also a chance that it was 420HC.

The second round of Robesons made in 1999 (different patterns from 1995) used ATS-34.

I think that you will be very pleased with that knife as an EDC.

 

[John Schedel]

The steel on the 1995 Robeson knives (made by Queen Cutlery) was PROBABLY 440A......there is also a chance that it was 420HC.

The second round of Robesons made in 1999 (different patterns from 1995) used ATS-34.

I think that you will be very pleased with that knife as an EDC.

This squares with my information except for the 420HC reference. Queen went back to 440A after "the great ATS-34 bug-out" of 2001(?). The reason that was given for this action was that ATS-34 was too hard on Queen's machines. (Strange it is that the "old" Queen Steel, 440C, did not seem to cause such problems....but let that go!) 420-series steel came a bit later, when 440A became less available. FWIW, a limited number of Queen-made knives are now available in ATS-34 (laser cut?).

All that said, your Robeson should, indeed, be a fine EDC. Its 440A blades might not be quite as "state of the art" as ATS-34 blades might have been but they are certainly "good enough". In fact, they might even be "better" if ease of sharpening and corrosion resistance are important considerations. I am also told that the edges of 440A blades tend to be less "slick" and can be made more "toothy" than ATS-34 blades but I cannot attest to this claim, personally.