South Fork Photos and Impressions

Hansundfranz said:
@Arty: S90V datasheet http://www.burgessknives.com/media/CPMS90V.pdf

Very high wear resistance. Takes a long time to get dull. Hard to sharpen. Diamond grind stone probably best.

Relatively large carbides so can not reach the ultimate sharpness but it keeps a very servicable edge and keeps it for a long time.
Not the ideal steel if you want to make sushi or do wood carving art in your basement.
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Oh it can get screaming sharp. ;)

Sharp enough one wouldn't likely notice the difference between it and other steels sharpness wise.

It is very aggressive though and it will continue to cut for a very long time, even if it feels dull to some it will still cut, S90V is an interesting steel.
 
There´s a reason why razors are made from C70 or such. You want a very fine microstructure and you need just enough stability so that the fine edge does not roll easily. That very fine microstructure that can not happen with 9% vanadium.

Everything in technology is a compromise.

Most people can not sharpen their knives to that level but facts are facts.
As i said excellent steel to be used outdoors if you resharpen at home or plan to carry a decent sharpening tool with you.
 
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Hansundfranz said:
There´s a reason why razors are made from C70 or such. You want a very fine microstructure and you need just enough stability so that the fine edge does not roll easily. Something that can not happen with 9% vanadium.

Everything in technology is a compromise.

Most people can not sharpen their knives to that level but facts are facts.
As i said excellent steel to be used outdoors if you resharpen at home or plan to carry a decent sharpening tool with you.
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Depends on how fine grained the steel is, CPM 10V is very fine grained, same with CPM S110V and they have 10% and 9% Vanadium respectfully.

But yeah ABEL would be better for straight razors.


There really isn't just one all around answer.
 
This looks to be an amazing Fixed blade! I think they got the compromise between "slicer" and sturdy just right from the looks. I cant wait to form my opinion after handling mine (When it gets here).
 
Looks like a great fixed blade. I should consider picking one of these up...maybe not yet though
 
I must have one! Thanks for the pics and review Jm. I always enjoy reading your reviews and the videos. Thanks to Phil for the excellent design. This is a fantastic piece, very well designed and will fill a wide array of needs. And thanks to Sal and company that brought this one to life.
 
But what is it for? Too long and upswept to make a good big game field dressing knife. Not enough upswept and too pointed for a dedicated skinner. Might make a bait cutter and pan fish cleaner but not a good filet. I can kind of see it as a camp slicing knife but not an all round cooks knife. Any thoughts? Phil Wilson has designs I like but this one seems like it is neither fish nor fowl.
 
I have one ordered and cant wait to get it ........... if its as good as it looks ..........I,ll probably get two more ...LOL
I,ll get one more anyway , just because its S90V ........LOL
 
I loved this thing as soon as I saw it (NB - first prototype pictures did not have the hole). Glad to see it has come out nicely with a very sleek looking sheath. At this price, though, I'm not sure I can justify it to myself. I already have a Mule and Millie in s90v, Scrapyard are coming out with nice thin slicers for a fraction of the price, and it costs the same as a custom Dozier with a nice wood handle.
 
I am curious about the green handle. I like it alot. I wonder if there is any significance of the color? Did Phil choose it?
 
I don't know the answer, but I had to highlight one of the better (and unintended, I guess?) puns I've run across so far this month.

Sidehill Gouger said:
But what is it for? Too long and upswept to make a good big game field dressing knife. Not enough upswept and too pointed for a dedicated skinner. Might make a bait cutter and pan fish cleaner but not a good filet. I can kind of see it as a camp slicing knife but not an all round cooks knife. Any thoughts? Phil Wilson has designs I like but this one seems like it is neither fish nor fowl.
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Such a great looking knife...great job to all involved! :thumbup:

Been looking forward to hearing about this one for months...
 
Brummie said:
Scrapyard are coming out with nice thin slicers for a fraction of the price, and it costs the same as a custom Dozier with a nice wood handle.
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SY made one Slicer in ELMAX (ScrapMAX) in a VERY limited quantity that was only available at the blade show at a special price, I seriously doubt they will do a full production release of an ELMAX blade at 61-62 HRC and .008-.010" thick behind the edge.

That would be a warranty nightmare for them to say the least or any other production company for that matter.

They don't do standard production knives anyway so that would be a mute point, they do very limited runs, that's preordered runs like SW and Busse.

So I am not seeing were you came up with they are coming out with all those thin slicers at a fraction of the price.

That's when they haven't even confirmed anything of that sort.

They did however hint at future ELMAX knives, but nobody knows what they will be or when and if they will be available.

That's their style of marketing, nobody knows anything until they are announced and the preorder goes up.

Dozier does make good knives in D2, but there is a waiting list for them.

Just bringing some reality to that post that was made.
 
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Nice score Jim, thanks for the pics and appraisal. I too am a little perplexed by the design. Not a kitchen knife or a hunter, and not really a fighter either. Possibly a bit of an all-rounder? With that thin blade I can see it being useful around the campsite for small food prep type jobs but I wouldn't want to process a lot of veggies with it. But still, very nicely executed all round by Spyderco. I like the sheath too.
 
Side Hill Gouger and Buffalo Hump. Good questions on the specific use of the South Fork. I am working on a little write up on it for my website and will post it up here in a couple of days. I am off to do some fishing. Phil
 
Phil Wilson said:
Side Hill Gouger and Buffalo Hump. Good questions on the specific use of the South Fork. I am working on a little write up on it for my website and will post it up here in a couple of days. I am off to do some fishing. Phil
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But are you taking a South Fork with you??? :D :D :D
 
I don't own any Spyderco's yet but followed this from a link in another forum.

I am curious as to why this particular model is full tang (both length and profile) given its apparent dedication as a phenomenal slicer and the quality of construction. I know that some of Phil's knives feature short tangs, which i think is an excellent means of improving balance (not that it's that important on such small knives) and also reducing costs (which i think would have helped in such a major production). Thoughts?

Phil Wilson said:
... on the specific use of the South Fork. I am working on a little write up on it for my website and will post it up here in a couple of days...
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I would also like to hear this answer as I am partial to the drop-point design...
 
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