some fairly demanding work with a Byrd Finch

[knifetester]

Cliff:
Fair enough.

I checked your website, and found that you had actually done a substantial amount of work with this knife that is not listed in the above post.
http://www.physics.mun.ca:80/~sstamp/knives/finch.html

As to the Sebenza, how do you reconcile your observations with those who have used the Sebenza day in and out and tout it as a heavy use knife?
See for the many example of such in the forums for years. .

You have noted that yours was ground much thinner than spec, perhaps there was a heat treat problem as well. Have you ever discussed this with Reeves? Have you sent the knife back to him for evaluation or to have a new blade fitted?

All taht aside, I would not buy an S30V Sebbie, if I was to buy another it would be the BG42, which I carried for years without a problem. . .

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I checked your website, and found that you had actually done a substantial amount of work with this knife that is not listed in the above post.

Yes, the above was just an example of some things done outside the promoted scope of work as I was exploring its boundries. The first "evaluation" I did with the Finch, outside of the immediate stock work was to just EDC it for a few weeks and note its performance and limitiations. The main issue tended to be the size of the handle which limits functionality because you are often forced to use pinch grips and as well with heavy cutting (whittling dense woods) I felt the blade start to give and come backward so you have to either reduce force or directly support the blade. The latter is why knowing the lock strength of the Byrd blades would be of interest.

As to the Sebenza, how do you reconcile your observations with those who have used the Sebenza day in and out and tout it as a heavy use knife?

In a similar way that I would answer the same about my experience with McClung's knives. There are a host of reasons :

1) people will frequently over promote knives and not all makers will actively tell people they are exceeding reality
2) lack of benchmarks leads to hype even without deliberate intention and people are often not clear about why a knife was impressive/tough
3) the edge on mine was much more acute than stock which was micro-at 20+ degrees, that is by default durable on pretty much any steel
4) the work I did is likely harder than most
5) it is likely less than optimal performance from S30V given what I have seen in other S30V blades

Have you ever discussed this with Reeves?

One way emails, no responce. It could cost easily $75 to have this knife returned which I don't have a great incentive to do without a clear communication as to the resolution point.

-Cliff

 

[rhino]

The main issue was at times the entire knife was inside the turkey, cleanup was the main problem.

I know this is pretty much beside the point of the topic, but I just had an idea for cleaning folders that you use for food prep and other chores where you get gook in there that you want out, and may need to sterilize it as well.

One of those steamers you use for cleaning might work great. Blowing it into the knife would loosen anything in it or stuck to it and it would just flow out and off with the condensate. It would also sterilize or at least sanitize the knife, so no worries about turkey salmonella transferring to everything else!

Drying with a blow dryer and re-lubing would be necessary afterward, of course.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

It would also sterilize or at least sanitize the knife, so no worries about turkey salmonella transferring to everything else!

That's an excellent idea, Mick Strider notes that boiling water could be used to perform a similar sterilization on the cord wrapped handles they used as they are fairly hard to clean.

-Cliff

 

[knifetester]

One way emails, no responce. It could cost easily $75 to have this knife returned which I don't have a great incentive to do without a clear communication as to the resolution point.

If you are interested in selling your knife, let me know. I will have the blade replaced.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

If you are interested in selling your knife, let me know.

Most likely the blade will be broken to allow the structure of the steel to be micrographed as I am curious as to why S30V is showing such behavior and Crucible is not forthcoming about the internals of the behavior, which to be frank, isn't to be expected in general anyway of defective products. For awhile I was considering getting the blade replaced but lately I just don't see any sense to the Sebenza handle given the blade style as a precision cutter. Remind me to send you the frame when I get the blade examined.

-Cliff

 

[fishtale]

Cliff, Is it safe to assume you like the Finch? My impression is that it sort of surprised you with it's performance. I love small knives and this kind of testing shows how useful they can be.

I have a few Lowes $10 Gerber LST minis. They are made in Portland, OR and are great. I have really pushed them (not quite as far as you though) and they have yet to fail. Small, well made knives are often underrated.

Thanks for the review.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Cliff, Is it safe to assume you like the Finch?

Yes. There may be many who view knives of this scale as more of a toy than a serious cutting instrument but this one does have a fairly wide scope of work as long as proper support is given to the blade. The U2 is another example of a similar knife, slightly larger, but still at about the level where is is keychain class.

-Cliff

 

[fishtale]

Cliff, Do you think the "blade foldback" would be less on the stainless steel handled Finch? Not sure if it's FRN related or not.

Also, can you expand on you thoughts about the Sebenza handle. I wonder if it's the shape or clip causing the issue? I've done extensive food prep with a small classic and found the clip very uncomfortable. I also don't like the 2nd pinch point at the top because it's damaging my pockets.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Cliff, Do you think the "blade foldback" would be less on the stainless steel handled Finch?

The all steel one I have is more rigid, I think you are going to run into issues just with the lock strength however. This is why I would like to see locks tested in both directions. Usually the fold back is so strong though it is pointless to test, but on the small knives it might be relevant.

Also, can you expand on you thoughts about the Sebenza handle.

I simply meant it is overbuilt for the knife. I don't see any point in that level of construction on a knife which by the grind and steel is for light use.

-Cliff

 

[fishtale]

Thanks Cliff, that makes a lot of sense.