Cliff,
"It is far weaker and much less wear resistant which translates to very poor edge holding as compared to most blade steels."
Cliff is correct to a point. When comparing steels it is very important to keep things in perspective and the main thing to keep in perspective here is price. Folks this is a 100% US made product coming for a manufacturer with an incredible track record for offering Quality-VS-$$$=KICK ASS PERFORMNACE & BANG FOR THE BUCK! Not to mention you are getting a Kydex sheath and not a plastic one!
This knife is obviously made to compete with the KISS knife simply because both are at the same price point. 420HC compares very favorably to AUS-6M, the steel offered on the Stiff Kiss. IMHO the handle is going to fill my palm much better then the slim profile of the Stiff Kiss. I love the kiss folks but at the same price the Arc Lite wins in my book.
The performance of both knives should be very comparable and I will be happy to test both in a real worl comparison. I will hold any factual statements until then as should Cliff. Not dissing you Cliff but it seems you made a judgement before holding the knife, something I never really do but you have more experience than me on testing so I will step aside.
Phil Wilson uses it for his kitchen knives and for example it blunts about 4-5 times as fast as his 154CM on hemp rope.
So how much is his 154CM versions? Perspective Cliff
On the positive, it is however very resistant to chipping and corrosion and easy to sharpen using a butchers steel, why is why Wilson uses it on kitchen knives.
Yep it will not chip like a Mad Dog
Ya I am ready for a Mad Dog fight, bring it on
Cliff is ready too!
For normal utility I would prefer something with far more edge strength and wear resistance as I would rather not have to constantly sharpen a knife outside of the kitchen.
OK Cliff I am with you there so what would you suggest at $20?
It is also a very cheap steel in terms of materials cost as well as working, which is why the $20. So no, obviously you are not getting high end performance out of a $20 piece, but that is kind of expected. Decent blade shape, but the handle makes the Buck Strider look ergonomic.
Huh? The Buck Strider ergonomic? You used those three words in the same sentence! Just messing with you. I have not held an Arc Lite but I know Darrel, and ergo is his middle name! He is not ergo but his knives are. Sorry Darrel cheap shot there but hey us big guys can rib each other right?
Anyway, the Arc Lite will/should be a kick ass knife for the money. Heck a Kydex sheath alone costs that much!
OK Look at it this way. You buy a cool Kydex neck sheath for $20 and we will throw in the Arc Lite
And Cliff I am just ribbing you but please make sure that when you talk about knives that cost less than a good dinner or a night at the movies that you keep
everything in perspective.
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