Stellite: What is your experience?

[Pete Peterson]

A big part of Neil's backlog is a direct result of the quality that comes out of his shop, EVERY TIME.

 

[Zach Chalmers]

Neil's stuff is absolutely amazing. His filework is great and the wood he uses is beautiful. I intend to have a large collection of his knives.

Zach

 

[C4]

Stellite (from Neil) has served me well... for over two and a half years! It cuts great; is easy to sharpen; has no problem with salt water or fish blood (my idea of cleaning this knife is to rinse the blood off with salt water....)

Michael

 

[bandaidman]

Originally posted by Wulf

And here's the knife (which, by the way, is the ultimate fishing knife):
[/B]

wulf i concur

a small hunter hybrid in stellite has been my fishing knife since the day i got it.

wear it in a neck sheath neal made for me



good to see other fly guys around here

 

[Dr.Lathe]

Originally posted by Pete Peterson
A big part of Neil's backlog is a direct result of the quality that comes out of his shop, EVERY TIME.

WOW!!

Thanks Pete, that means a lot!! How about visiting Florida for a few months

Michael,
I remember that one !!

Thanks for the kind words guys!!! I'm carrying a Sebenza right now, my Guild Show guests cleaned me out this past weekend



Stellite..........My non scientific experience...........

OK, I agree with Mr Dangerers, comments 100% however.........

The edge rolling/chipping thing....... If you have used my D2 knives or say a Dozier and chipped them, you might very well chip a Stellite knife also. I've cut a TON of salt water fish, deer and hogs over the past few years with many of my knives, D2, 30V, A2, Stellite and Talonite as well as some factory fillet knives and a several other makers customs. This includes pounding the knives through fish back bones, boning, light chopping on a cutting board and dropping them on a wooden deck! The only damage or chipping I've ever experienced is trying to remove a large, expensive salt water hook from a fish. I put some tiny chips in one of my own D2 blades I know many people use their knives harder than this, I'm only relating personal experience!! Edge rolling on Talonite is something I've not experienced in actual use. I've only done it in the shop, intentionally. My knives are all smaller, under 5" and don't see much hard chopping. What I have noticed about Talonite is the well stated, "cuts when dull" phenomenon. I find it performs like this MUCH more so than Stellite.

Stellite and Talonite are VERY different to finish.......
Talonite, while I've seen it polished (Don Cowles I think) I cannot seem to take it any higher than a 400 hand rubbed finish. It reveals it's lacy looking grain structure beyond that and looks FUNKY!! At 400 I find it has a pleasing look that is quite resistant to Kydex wear and easily touched up. That's how I finish all my Talonite.

Stellite on the other hand, can be finished much higher, even mirror polished. I find it very easy to do two tone finishes with and will be doing bead blast flats with mirror or satin hollows on my folders.

Stellite, like D2 will also take a "toothy" edge for those that like them. I'm often asked to put them on my knives, I know this is popular with many forum members I cannot begin to do this edge on Talonite.

Lastly, Ease of field sharpening............I often have knives returned to my shop for touch ups, especially hunters at the end of the season. Often, they are accompanied by a letter or Email stating that they HATE their sharpening system and just cannot get the edge back the way it was when new. Not everyone can sharpen D2 at 61Rc by hand! I have NEVER, EVER had a complaint about EITHER of the cobalt alloys and field sharpening, it's THAT easy!!!!!


Neil

 

[C4]

Michael, I remember that one !!

Neil,

That was one of your earlier red, white and blue handles! I see they have become more popular in the days since 9-11.... I still LOVE mine! (and the sheath that came with it!!!)

I agree on the sharpening: very easy! I don't see much difference between my Talonite and Stellite blades... as a user. Your comments were interesting...

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Zach Chalmers]

That is exactly the information I wanted to know. I kind of wondered what the difference in performance would be between Talonite and Stellite. This is going to be my first custom folder (Great place to start huh? ) and I am looking forward to it. I wanted to get the stellite or talonite because I will not be selling this one. I intend to keep it forever.

Ask Neil about my reaction to the Skirmish. I had just put a fancy medium hunter on order about 10 minutes earlier. He whips out the Skirmish and I just looked at it like this and asked if I could change my order. He is losing business to himself. I intend to get several more Blackwoods.

 

[nifrand]

This is a Ray Rogers folder he made me a couple years ago out of Cobalt 6BH.Skinned and quartered 2 sheep(Desert and Bighorn) 1 elk,2 deer,2 pigs and a couple Javalina(sp)My son is a guide and I let him borrow it.I carry it daily when he is not guiding someone.Just touched it up.Great knife.Great steel.No maintenance.Cuts and cuts.

 

[memnoch]

everyone hold your fire reguarding that thumb stud. this issue has been resolved in the emerson forum.

Its a nice knife, and all usual suspects, please hold your fire on this one.

this battle has already been fought.