Does anyone have an opinion to offer on the knives of McWilliams? I bought a five and a half inch Ranger from him some time back and I've been pleased with the performance of the blade.(The sheath is a little odd, though. ) I was wondering if anyone knows why the ABS doesn't recognize the forging of stainless. I asked Sean about this and he says he doesn't know exactly why this is.
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Sean McWilliams
- Thread starter whetstone
- Start date
Allen Blade
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 29, 1999
- Messages
- 498
Hello,
Yep SEAN makes great tough, hard use knives. I owned a Panama Fighter i bought off a guy second hand and it was a well performing blade. Traded it for some silver casting Shot when i was doing Lost wax Casting.
Anyway great Knive`s
to Answer your second question: POLITICS!!
I always find it amusing how CLUBS can dictate Rules to a CRAFT that has been around since we decided that Tearing Skin off with our Teeth wasnt a good idea.
I mean if they are so Traditional,then they better Quit letting there members Use
Power machinery.
I think The Art of Forging is just THAT
it doesnt Dictate The Material Qualifications, as much as it does Proper Technique and skill. or atleast thats the way it should be.
Isnt any Aspect of Knifemaking and Bladesmithery suppose to be Perpetual and always Growing?? how can that happen and
leave out material used for Blades?
my .02
See ya, Allen
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Allen Blade
Spokane,WA USA
" It is Always Better to learn The RIGHT Way, Than to Continue Doing it WRONG "
My Custom Knives :
http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/meadows/1770/allenblade.html
Yep SEAN makes great tough, hard use knives. I owned a Panama Fighter i bought off a guy second hand and it was a well performing blade. Traded it for some silver casting Shot when i was doing Lost wax Casting.
Anyway great Knive`s
to Answer your second question: POLITICS!!
I always find it amusing how CLUBS can dictate Rules to a CRAFT that has been around since we decided that Tearing Skin off with our Teeth wasnt a good idea.
I mean if they are so Traditional,then they better Quit letting there members Use
Power machinery.
I think The Art of Forging is just THAT
it doesnt Dictate The Material Qualifications, as much as it does Proper Technique and skill. or atleast thats the way it should be.
Isnt any Aspect of Knifemaking and Bladesmithery suppose to be Perpetual and always Growing?? how can that happen and
leave out material used for Blades?
my .02
See ya, Allen
------------------
Allen Blade
Spokane,WA USA
" It is Always Better to learn The RIGHT Way, Than to Continue Doing it WRONG "
My Custom Knives :
http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/meadows/1770/allenblade.html
- Joined
- Mar 31, 1999
- Messages
- 839
The ABS does and has in the past recognized the forging of stainless steels. Just it recognizes the forging of any metals to make a knife. I can name a number of current Mastersmiths as well as non Masters that does or has forged stainless for knife blades. However no one to my knowledge, even McWilliams, has got stainless blades to pass satisfactory the ABS requirements for the bending test required. That is what the "misunderstanding is".
fisk
fisk
- Joined
- Oct 4, 1998
- Messages
- 4,131
Thanks taking the time to clear the misunderstanding for us fisk. I know too many folks in the ABS who are constantly trying different materials and techniques and sharing the results good and bad with others to be able to consider the organization stogy or set in it's ways.
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"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.
[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 01-19-2000).]
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"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.
[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 01-19-2000).]
Thanks to all for the replys. fisk, can you elaborate as to the ABS requirements for the bend test and can you speculate as to the reasons why forged stainless is less flexible. Is it something in the forging process itself or perhaps the high chromium content of the steel? Any additional info would be appreciated.
Durandal, I hope you're enjoying your knife as much as I. I ordered the green micarta and the OD green sheath. You are correct. the knife is pricey. I'm almost ashamed to tell people what I paid. The most current address I have for Sean is:
Venture Edge
P.O. Box 3897
Durango, CO 81302
(970)-884-9854
Durandal, I hope you're enjoying your knife as much as I. I ordered the green micarta and the OD green sheath. You are correct. the knife is pricey. I'm almost ashamed to tell people what I paid. The most current address I have for Sean is:
Venture Edge
P.O. Box 3897
Durango, CO 81302
(970)-884-9854
- Joined
- Mar 31, 1999
- Messages
- 839
Whetstone
The high amount of chrome in stainless makes the steel air harden while forging which makes it tend to break in the bend test. The ABS requires in its test to bend 90 degrees and not break in half. This is after chopping the two 2x4's in half and cutting free hanging one inch rope. Stainless cuts good as a mater of fact I like the way D2 cuts I think it is a good steel.
The smiths in the ABS continue to push for different steels and methods. This is good and encouraged by the ABS. Right now my experimental steel is iron with titianium added. Don't know if it will work or not yet.
The high amount of chrome in stainless makes the steel air harden while forging which makes it tend to break in the bend test. The ABS requires in its test to bend 90 degrees and not break in half. This is after chopping the two 2x4's in half and cutting free hanging one inch rope. Stainless cuts good as a mater of fact I like the way D2 cuts I think it is a good steel.
The smiths in the ABS continue to push for different steels and methods. This is good and encouraged by the ABS. Right now my experimental steel is iron with titianium added. Don't know if it will work or not yet.