Sal Glesser! Spyderco steel? Differences? Harpy?

M

MCSwiney

Joined
Jun 17, 1999
Messages
85

Hello one & all,

Well, for years now, I have ever been happily buying Spyderco folders without so much as giving all to much thought to the models respective steel composition, yet of late I have become increasingly curious.

I do realize that Spyderco's web site lists their models steel composition, yet I appear to much the Luddite to actually understand the way the charts are broken down (ergo they are not quite "Idiot Proof" in light of my naivitee).

Besides I...err...spent all my attention (while enrolled in general studies CHEM 101) on the cute girl seated across from me (as opposed to my chemistry prof's lectures).

So, using the Spyderco Harpy model for an example how, for instance, does GIN-1 measure up to ATS-55 (or vice versa)? Could one fairly say that one is of more hardend steel then the other, or is this an naive accessment?

I seem to recall that the first steel table chart (on the Spyderco web site) starts off w/GIN-1 and then proceeds on to ATS-34, ATS-55, and so on until CPM 440V. Is this, once again, an indicator of least/highest highest/least steel hardening?

I am sorry if this topic has been covered before, on a thread I may have overlooked, yet the reason I ask is that I just now had to replace a GIN-1(G-10 handle) Harpy, that a relative of mine "snatched" for his tackle box, for a ATS-55 version.

It is my understanding that the Harpy's original early run production was of GIN-1, until the stock therefor ran out of GIN-1 supply, hence their currently being available only in ATS-55.

Thank you one & all,

Michael Cedric

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"You learn something new every day!"

 
Michael - steel chemistry is simple in some ways and very complex in others.

Harder is not always better (a glass knife is harder than steel but usually chips or breaks at the edge when used hard. the "working" hardness or "optimum" hardness for each material is what is sought.

"Soft" iron is tuned into "tough" steel by adding carbon. "Very generally speaking", the more carbon that is added, the tougher the steel can become.

Chrome is what makes steel "stain resistant". "Very generally speaking", the more chrome that is added, the more stain resistant the steel will be.

Each element that is added does something to the brew. Combinations of elements add addtional response.

Numbers don't always tell the story. Steels like MBS-26 have performance that exceeds the numbers. Why? Beats even the professors. The best we can do is speculate and test.

Heat treatment is what brings the steel to life. Properly done, you will have the most the steel has to offer. Improperly done and your steel may be worthless as a knife.

Spyderco used Gin-1 (G2 - same steel, different designation) on all of the models for many years. It is an excellent steel. We are still using in on the current Native, Navigator, Pegasus, Khalsa, etc.

ATS-55 is a new steel based on ATS-34 with refinements. It has proven to be better in edge holding than Gin-1 and poorer (but not much) in corrosion rsistance. We are still refining the steel.

Hope this helps.
sal
 
Dear Mr. Glesser,
Thank you very much for your laymen explanation regarding metalurgy.
I, even though I spent countless hours adoringly gazing at Melinda M.'s upper torso (as opposed to paying attention to my CHEM 101 prof's lectures), actually managed to follow everything you had to say and found it all to be very informative.
I also noted with interest that the Harpy, considering its design was originally geared towards commercial fisherman, is ever increasingly weavering away from optimum "rugged, outdoor, usage."
The intended post Y2K production of only the stainless steel handle model, sadly so, deprives many of us of the ideal grip retention the G-10 handles had offered. I, however, was glad to note that the ATS-55 was only slightly less resistent towards the elements then the original GIN-1 steel was.

Another "satisfied customer,"

Michael Cedric Swiney

------------------

"You learn something new every day!"

 
Michael - I agree with you on the G10 Harpy handle and it's grip. However, the market dictates otherwise. Sometimes we yield. I imagine that we'll refine and reproduce various handle materials and blade materials for the "Harpy/Merlin" blade style as the years pass.

Interesting to note; I'd never seen a hawkbill blade with that particular blade shape before out introduction of the Harpy model circa 1985. Now it is a common pattern.
sal
 
Sal Glesser & the folks at Spyderco,

Thank you once again for having commented on your product. You have, and no doubt will continue to, made some TRULY innovative models over the years.

Please keep up the "good work!"
smile.gif


Another "satisfied customer,"

Michael Cedric Swiney

------------------

"You learn something new every day!"

 
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