Talonite not all its cracked up to be?

Steven Roos

Steven Roos

Joined
Jun 29, 2002
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I was browsing the local knife shop and I saw they had a CUDA EDC in Talonite. I asked the clerk about it and he didn't seem all that impressed by it. He stopped short of outright telling me not to buy it.

He said that every EDC in Talonite they have sold has been returned with a broken blade. He said Talonite holds an amazing edge, but its fragile. Is that true?
 
Sounds like all those people should have bought pry-bars instead of knives. I have 3 Talonite blades (mini-talon, EDC, and a Rinaldi Gambit) and I use them all. Never had a problem but all I do is cut stuff with them. :) Sharpening has not been an issue either, my EDC was bought used and it came about as dull as any knife I've seen. It took a while to put an edge on it but since then it has performed well.
 
He said that every EDC in Talonite they have sold has been returned with a broken blade.
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If that were true, Rob would have gone bankrupt years ago.

My guess is that the've sold three of 'em, all to the same guy, and that he abuses them.

Keep in mind that Talonite's major claim to fame is its rust and corrosion resistance.
 
Originally posted by Gollnick
My guess is that the've sold three of 'em, all to the same guy, and that he abuses them.
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True. The clerk never said how many they have sold or to how many customers...
 
The only talonite blade I have is pretty much the opposite. It doesn't hold all that great an edge (not bad, mind you, but it's not VG-10 or 440V), but it's NOT fragile -- it bends pretty easily (being 1/16th talonite), but I can't see myself bending it far enough to break it.
 
The knife I always carry and use constantly is my Darrel Ralph Mini-Maxx in Talonite. I certainly don't use it for prying, but I have never had a problem with it chipping or rolling no matter what I was stupid enough to cut with it. :D I'm not sure I could break it without access to a vise and a hammer.

Also, mine takes an amazing edge and holds it extremely well. I wonder if JamesA got one with a bad heat treatment?

--Bob Q
 
I've had 3 knives with Talonite blades. 2 TnT's and one from Rob. Also a Stellite 6k From Neil Blackwood.

Never a complaint regarding any of them. As Chuck said, their claim to fame is rust/corrosion resistance, but in addition to that exists their unique edge holding properties, i.e., the ability to cut aggressively even when the edge feels almost dull to the touch.

I'd go as far to say that the average knife user who is used to the usual blade steels - of which Talonite is NOT - probably touches their Talonite blade up more than is actually needed just for that reason.
 
Before Camillus introduced the Talon, the first production Talonite knife, they put it through some rigorous testing, including using it on a hunting trip where it did everything with excellence. I had a pretty good rundown on the extent of that testing. I can assure you Talonite works like a charm. If only it weren't so expensive!
 
im2smrt4u,
We have never had a CUDA EDC returned for a broken blade, and I assure you, if a dealer would have taken it back, he would have sent it to back to us for replacement. Actually, I carry, use, and abuse a talonite folder everyday.....I have never chipped, much less BROKEN a blade on one. The edge may roll under heavy pressure, but I haven't had it suffer any permanet damamge. Talonite may not be for everyone, but it is have some very interesting and high performance advantages. Personally, i think it is perfect for a skinning knife or a utility folder.

I would appreciate it if you would email me the name of the dealership[and city] that told you about problems with our knives, so I can ensure that they don't have any problems that we don't know about.

Thanks for the interest!
 
My only problem with it is that the total corrosion resistance makes me want to use it around salt water and it doesn't FLOAT :(:rolleyes: ;)


I have had nothing but excellent feedback from MANY customers.


Neil
 
Wow!
With all the Talonite out there it seems this knife must be a fluke?
What is the shop's name that made the claim?
Got a phone number? I would like to hear this story myself?

Darrel
 
This is an interesting discussion. Maybe, just maybe the employee wouldn't have gotten as much commission from selling the Talonite knife, compared to another one you had been looking at.

Perhaps he was just exaggerating the known effect of Talonite edge-rolling.
 
I use my CUDA Talonite EDC all the time. I've never had even a remote problem with it. I've used it to clean fish, cut miles of cardboard and leather, and never a problem. It's an awesome knife to say the least, and holds an amazing edge. The only way I've managed to ever damage the edge of a Talonite knife is by forcefully shaving hard knots from dried cedar branches. But this has also wreaked havoc on excellent steels like 440V and ATS-34, so it doesn’t mean a whole lot.

I wouldn’t go chopping down forests with Talonite, or using my EDC as a prybar, but Talonite is one of the finest blade materials I’ve used for small utility folders.
 
Originally posted by Darrel Ralph
Please dont mistake the question of breakage.
Everything has a limit!
Darrel
Click to expand...

Of course, but every one they have sold? I'm starting to wonder if I can trust what they are telling me...
 
Its easy for one person to judge a problem with a knife.
It would be nice to hear what happened and how the knife was used?
Just my .02 cents worth!

Darrel
 
I agree with Darrel.
I've made hundreds of knives with Stellite and Talonite. I've had one come back in all those years. The customer admitted to dropping it and then stepping on it, by accident. Broke a little off the tip.
Stellite 6K is still my favorite.
 
The clerk seemed to imply that the blade was completely snapped. Is that possible!? :eek:

Darrel Ralph: Please check your listed email address for an unrelated question.
 
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