- Joined
- Mar 26, 2011
- Messages
- 647
I understand there are Microtech haters out there...I can understand why they hate Microtech but I would kindly and respectfully ask that we keep this thread on topic.
I'm a bit of a steel junkie. I like different steels for various reasons...but I like high wearing steels most of all. So when I saw the Socom Elite Youtube vid of Crimesontideshooter testing the Duratech 20CV, I got interested in testing other variants of M390. I couldn't find any 20CV, but then found out that for 2012, MT released some blades in CTS-204P. In short, I tested my Spyderco PM2 in M390 against my new Socom Elite in CTS-204P.
Test Scenario:
Both edges sharpened with an EP to a 30 degree inclusive bevel with a 3 micron finish. Enough to be hair whittle sharp. When sharpening, there were no apparent differences between the steels that I could tell. I will say, the MT factory bevel seems a bit obtuse...maybe 40 degrees inclusive or more. The Spyderco factory bevel seemed to be right at 30 degrees. I regret that I did not test my Socom BEFORE re-defining the lower angle, 30 degree bevel...oh well.
I went to my local hardware store and obtained some 3/8" manila rope. I would like to have done my test on 5/8" rope since that seems to be the more common practice...but there was none available.
To define sharpness, I made 10 cuts then tested the blades (at the point of use) to see if they would still cut specifically defined items. I tested sharpness by testing 1) Hair Whittling sharpness 2) Arm hair shaving sharpness 3) Phone book paper slicing. I stopped at phone book paper since I consider my knives dull if they cannot cleanly slice phone book paper.
I cut the rope only using the belly of the knife. I defined 2" of the blade with which I would do all my cutting. I didn't want to cut with the whole length of the blade since a longer blade would then out cut a short blade, all things being equal. Also, I would have to cut more rope if I used the whole length of the blade...I'm getting older and that would hurt my poor little hands...
Finally, as a control to make sure I wasn't fooling myself into the results, I threw in a third knife in to the test to force a different result. My "control" knife was a Benchmade Rift in 154 CM. It is convex, hand ground to a thinner edge. Again I used this only to force a different result and realize that the different geometry makes this and apples/oranges comparison. But then again...I wanted a different result.
Impressions:
During the cut test, I found that the Socom Elite was quite comfortable to use. The handle fit my hand well and I can apply a lot of pressure either on the jimping of the handles just behind the blade or on the blade itself. The thick blade stock of the MT helped make this comfortable. I would also say that the MT seem to cut easier than the Spyderco as they started to dull...even at the end of the test, the MT still seemed to cut easier than the Spyderco. I don't know if that is a function of handle comfort or if the different steels are actually cutting differently ( I suspect the former is the case).
The Spyderco was comfortable to use, but not as much at the MT. Jimping on the blade is effective without being too aggressive.
The BM was the least comfortable, but I still love the lines of that blade (as a side note, 154 CM makes a great razor...M390, S90V, ZDP189 do not).
Results:
If you're the impatient kind, you've already scrolled down to see the "winner". I will say that I'm sure there are variations and "operator error" in this, but the difference is enough that I would say I think there is a "winner" here.
The MT CTS-204P cut longer than the Spyderco M390.
At the end of the test, the Spyderco simply dulled...no chipping or rolling and the blade was in good shape. The Micro tech did have some noticeable micro-chipping. Not horrible...but they were there. Perhaps that micro-chipping contributed to the cutting efficiency and positively impacted the results of the MT ( I don't really know, but it's a theory). I know that Crimsontideshooter found ZERO edge damage on his test of the Duratech 20CV version, but he may have had the factory bevel (darnit again I regret not testing it at factory angles). The BM also suffered micro chipping.
So I hope this post was helpful or interesting. If anyone has any experience with their CTS-204P, I'd love to hear it as well. Microtechs seem to end up as safe queens sometimes, but I hope there are some out there who have used them and can share their experiences with us. I'm waiting for the green handled PM2 in CTS-204P from one of my favorite dealers...then I can do this same test with that blade ...and my S90V Millie.
I'm a bit of a steel junkie. I like different steels for various reasons...but I like high wearing steels most of all. So when I saw the Socom Elite Youtube vid of Crimesontideshooter testing the Duratech 20CV, I got interested in testing other variants of M390. I couldn't find any 20CV, but then found out that for 2012, MT released some blades in CTS-204P. In short, I tested my Spyderco PM2 in M390 against my new Socom Elite in CTS-204P.
Test Scenario:
Both edges sharpened with an EP to a 30 degree inclusive bevel with a 3 micron finish. Enough to be hair whittle sharp. When sharpening, there were no apparent differences between the steels that I could tell. I will say, the MT factory bevel seems a bit obtuse...maybe 40 degrees inclusive or more. The Spyderco factory bevel seemed to be right at 30 degrees. I regret that I did not test my Socom BEFORE re-defining the lower angle, 30 degree bevel...oh well.
I went to my local hardware store and obtained some 3/8" manila rope. I would like to have done my test on 5/8" rope since that seems to be the more common practice...but there was none available.
To define sharpness, I made 10 cuts then tested the blades (at the point of use) to see if they would still cut specifically defined items. I tested sharpness by testing 1) Hair Whittling sharpness 2) Arm hair shaving sharpness 3) Phone book paper slicing. I stopped at phone book paper since I consider my knives dull if they cannot cleanly slice phone book paper.
I cut the rope only using the belly of the knife. I defined 2" of the blade with which I would do all my cutting. I didn't want to cut with the whole length of the blade since a longer blade would then out cut a short blade, all things being equal. Also, I would have to cut more rope if I used the whole length of the blade...I'm getting older and that would hurt my poor little hands...
Finally, as a control to make sure I wasn't fooling myself into the results, I threw in a third knife in to the test to force a different result. My "control" knife was a Benchmade Rift in 154 CM. It is convex, hand ground to a thinner edge. Again I used this only to force a different result and realize that the different geometry makes this and apples/oranges comparison. But then again...I wanted a different result.
Impressions:
During the cut test, I found that the Socom Elite was quite comfortable to use. The handle fit my hand well and I can apply a lot of pressure either on the jimping of the handles just behind the blade or on the blade itself. The thick blade stock of the MT helped make this comfortable. I would also say that the MT seem to cut easier than the Spyderco as they started to dull...even at the end of the test, the MT still seemed to cut easier than the Spyderco. I don't know if that is a function of handle comfort or if the different steels are actually cutting differently ( I suspect the former is the case).
The Spyderco was comfortable to use, but not as much at the MT. Jimping on the blade is effective without being too aggressive.
The BM was the least comfortable, but I still love the lines of that blade (as a side note, 154 CM makes a great razor...M390, S90V, ZDP189 do not).
Results:
If you're the impatient kind, you've already scrolled down to see the "winner". I will say that I'm sure there are variations and "operator error" in this, but the difference is enough that I would say I think there is a "winner" here.
The MT CTS-204P cut longer than the Spyderco M390.
At the end of the test, the Spyderco simply dulled...no chipping or rolling and the blade was in good shape. The Micro tech did have some noticeable micro-chipping. Not horrible...but they were there. Perhaps that micro-chipping contributed to the cutting efficiency and positively impacted the results of the MT ( I don't really know, but it's a theory). I know that Crimsontideshooter found ZERO edge damage on his test of the Duratech 20CV version, but he may have had the factory bevel (darnit again I regret not testing it at factory angles). The BM also suffered micro chipping.
So I hope this post was helpful or interesting. If anyone has any experience with their CTS-204P, I'd love to hear it as well. Microtechs seem to end up as safe queens sometimes, but I hope there are some out there who have used them and can share their experiences with us. I'm waiting for the green handled PM2 in CTS-204P from one of my favorite dealers...then I can do this same test with that blade ...and my S90V Millie.
