Sharpening TALONITE?

S

Sid Post

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Oct 14, 1998
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My friend has an old Camillus/Simonich Talonite knife and needs to sharpen it. Are there any special cautions or recommendations regarding sharpening this blade material?

After using several different knives on feral hogs, I'm also wondering why it isn't more popular.

TIA,
Sid
 
It should sharpen up just like any other knife. I'd avoid powertools just so too much material isn't accidentally removed. Stellite 6k, Talonite, dendritic cobalt, and even beta ti are incredibly expensive compared to most steels, typically use non standard HT practices, and can be different to work with. They're cool though.

Check out CuBe for another funky one.
 
The "steel " is actually a cobalt alloy ,expensive for sure . The matrix is rather soft though the precipitates are very hard, wear resistant . I wonder how talonite would compare to something like CPM 3V ? I've never had one to try.
 
I believe Stellite 6k and Talonite are roughly 50/50 cobalt and chromium, with a dash of other elements. It would be more popular if it wasn't so expensive and hard to work. It would maybe also be more desired if it read higher on an HRc hardness test, which is often equated directly with an alloy's abilities as a blade, but the further one drifts from heavily tested alloys like high-carbon and stainless steel, the harder it is to determine the characteristics of the metal based on a simple hardness test.
 
I sharpen my Cuda Talon just like any regular knife. The matrix is fairly soft so it isn't too hard to sharpen. Think of jello with fruit in it. The fruit is the carbides, the jello is the cobalt matrix.

The weird thing about talonite/stellite, is that it may seem dull but it keeps on cutting anyway. I guess the carbides push through the matrix and do the cutting. Just a guess.

The stuff is extremely 'slick', maybe that's why it seems to cut so effortlessly.
 
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