SM-100: is this used anymore?

[Locutus D'Borg]

A few years ago - well before MagnaCut - certain makers of folders would occasionally use SM-100 and those knives were very desirable. It may have been dendritic, I'm not sure. I almost snagged an SNG in SM-100 but was beat out. Thoughts? Is it obsolete?

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

I have a Stinger in SM-100. It is a strange material in that even kept in carefully climate controlled environment, exact same temperature and humidity 365 days a year, the action is wildly unpredictable. Sometimes it is OK, sometimes almost feels grinding. It was permanently "fixed" by the guys at Ferrum Forge, so this is not from anything I am doing.
As a user, it doesn't make sense unless you have some very specific job like demolitions, where you need nonsparking nonmagnetic tools.

The anodizing is not thick like you can get on regular titanium (which is already thin), so don't expect color to stay on a user.

It's interesting, not easy to sharpen on certain stones, perfectly serviceable knife but doesn't offer any advantages except for the novelty of it. If you have the ability to reanodize that might be a plus on a user.
Otherwise definitely has collector value, but doesn't offer any advantages over any decent steel.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

I have a Stinger in SM-100. It is a strange material in that even kept in carefully climate controlled environment, exact same temperature and humidity 365 days a year, the action is wildly unpredictable. Sometimes it is OK, sometimes almost feels grinding. It was permanently "fixed" by the guys at Ferrum Forge, so this is not from anything I am doing.
As a user, it doesn't make sense unless you have some very specific job like demolitions, where you need nonsparking nonmagnetic tools.

The anodizing is not thick like you can get on regular titanium (which is already thin), so don't expect color to stay on a user.

It's interesting, not easy to sharpen on certain stones, perfectly serviceable knife but doesn't offer any advantages except for the novelty of it. If you have the ability to reanodize that might be a plus on a user.
Otherwise definitely has collector value, but doesn't offer any advantages over any decent steel.

Thanks for that excellent response. Some people still use stellite 6K.

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

It's essentially the same.

There's reasons why the alloy still exists, I have a lot of it screwed to my spine and it doesn't set off metal detectors and is safer than other alloys for purposes like that. It's difficult to create because it has to be made under vacuum etc. It is not fun to work with, and those that have learned how to work with it don't usually stick with it for a reason.
If you have the money to burn, go check out Mecha at madsciencelabs. I have no idea what he's charging, but he is an active member here and a very likeable person. I got in touch with Dwyer years ago and he wasn't completely opposed to the idea, so that's another option.