Stainless Steel Izula Opinions

C

Cielmerlion

Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
25
Hiya! Im just a hair away of from pulling the trigger on a 440 Izula but theres just not much information on these out there. Anyone here have any experience with it? I know that 440 can be a grab bag depending on heat treat.

I wish I could have a carbon one, but I live really close to the beach and literally everything rusts. Someday maybe since i prefer 1095.

Thanks for the help!
 
i would simply get the carbon one. The coating is extremely tough and it would protect the knife even through use until it wore off, which may take time, as i said it is very tough and thick. The edge would be exposed, but you could oil it or wax it when not in use and during use i dont see rust staying on the edge of the blade. Worst case you can use it until it rusts in half and then get a new one, but with the stainless you dont have the warranty. But in reality i dont see rust being too bad of an issue unless you leave it in the ocean for a day anda half. i had stripped mine and patina'd it and it never rusted despite not being oiled and riding in m sweaty pocket all day.
 
Im not sure you understand the way things rust where I live. Ive had to put away most of my knives because of rust, and that includes a Fallkniven F1, on both metals. Every unprotected metal here corrodes. Ill get the carbon when I move away but why now when it will take annoying amounts of upkeep to keep the edge from rusting which will keep me from using it at all. The Izula isnt going anywhere, I can get the carbon one later. I need a knife I can use often now without much worry.
 
I agree with Fuzzyballs. :D Izulas rock. Coatings tough. Warranty rules. If "everything rusts" were you are at, coated knife is the way to go. Strop it every day and voilà, no issue.
 
I have both Esse Izula's in carbon and stainless. The stainless version is easy to sharpen and holds a decent edge. In a knife this size 440C will handle anything you throw at it. I'm not a big fan of coatings on knives so I really like the stainless offering and in your environment, it sounds like a winner. I could not notice the difference in performance between the carbon and stainless. I bought some after market g10 handles to dress it up and improve ergonomics. That being said, I own about 5 neck knives and rarely use them but for some reason, I keep buying them.
 
Alternative: what about the Ka-Bar ESEE D'Eskabar BK24 in D2 steel? I'm torn between this and the Izula II, looks like the Izula II is going to win out, but I'm still not a big fan of the coating!
 
440C is a great steel. Rowan does the heat treat. It doesn't get much better.
 
I bought one of the first ones out. From the beginning, I used the replacement scales from TKC. It has been on many a kayak trip, and has given excellent service. Rowan, the manufacturer, knows what they are doing, and they are tops in the knife production field.

 
Thanks for the tips guys, im pretty much decided on the ss izula now unless a bravo necker comes my way.
 
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