tell me the Maxamet PM2 isn't discontinued!

[SpyderPhreak]

Just re-read this thread. Based on what people are describing (blade bending on on one side) that doesn't sound like warping. If the blade were warping I believe it would bend on both sides. This sounds more likely milling/grinding problem than warping. Not that it matters much. But to me warping implies the whole blade is bent, curved, or cupped.

Yeah, I still say they're NOT bent/warped, and have been saying that all along:

The blade on mine looks straight to my ageing eyesight. The cutting edge is straight. The blade is flat against a straight edge on one side, but the other side isn't, it curves in slightly over the last 25mm to the tip. I didn't notice it 'til I read about the issue and looked close.
Not sure why. Matter of time before Spyderco figures it out I reckon.

^^^This describes the "problem" well. And it isn't very much. In fact, most folks would be hard-pressed to even see that slight curve on the one (obverse) side towards the end (I agree, it starts about an inch from the tip). The curve is less than a mm from flat, probably about 0.75mm (0.030") when I actually try to measure it. The blade is straight and centered on the 3 examples I have owned, and others I looked at in the factory store.

 

[GatorFlash1]

No. Cutting competitions are more toughness oriented with the chopping required. They tend to use M4 and 4V.

Thanks for the follow-up info. How do those two steels, M4 and 4V, compare with each other in cutting contests?

Is Maxamet a very hard, sharp, but weak, subject to fracturing {sort of a steel version of a ceramic knife) steel? I don't understand why they would not use it even if chopping. Is it maybe beyond the the competitor's capabilities to make a knife out of Maxamet? Please help out this big dummy.

 

[SpyderPhreak]

Thanks for the follow-up info. How do those two steels, M4 and 4V, compare with each other in cutting contests?

Is Maxamet a very hard, sharp, but weak, subject to fracturing {sort of a steel version of a ceramic knife) steel? I don't understand why they would not use it even if chopping. Is it maybe beyond the the competitor's capabilities to make a knife out of Maxamet? Please help out this big dummy.

Can't really answer your first question, but as to your second one, Maxamet is a very highly alloyed steel, well over 30% other materials besides Iron. So much so, it can nearly be considered a ceramic, similar to Silicon carbide or Tungsten carbide. Close, but not quite. As such, yes, it tends to be hard and brittle, so it will chip instead of roll. Very wear resistant, and generally hardnesses over 60 Rc. Best edge-holding steel I've ever personally witnessed. But don't try prying with that stuff, it will break!

 

[GatorFlash1]

Thanks for the info.