Test knife for a new alloy

Matthew Gregory

Matthew Gregory

Chief Executive in charge of Entertainment
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Jan 12, 2005
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This is a simple hunter profile that I came up with several years back, that is what I feel a hunting knife ought to be. In this instance, it’s used as a test mule for a new prototype alloy from Larrin Larrin nsm nsm and Crucible Steel.


The chemistry hasn’t been finalized yet, and those of us that are in the beta test group have been asked not to speak about anything beyond having the alloy, testing it, and showing what we’ve made.


My knife is .140” thick, and features a deep, high hollow grind with super thin geometry to push the resilience of the alloy to it’s limits. With any luck, I’ll be giving it a ‘real world’ workout on a deer, soon.


DSC_1874-X2.jpg




The frame handle construction uses black G10 for the frame, with a stub tang to reduce weight. I chose some old, old Brazilian Kingwood that I’ve been saving for years for the handle scales. Seems like it was appropriate. Overall length is just over 8”, features a 3-1/2” blade, and weighs 3-1/8 ounces.



A quick video demonstrating how thin the edge is:










….hopefully DeadboxHero DeadboxHero will chime in with his blade in this new material.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
This is a simple hunter profile that I came up with several years back, that is what I feel a hunting knife ought to be. In this instance, it’s used as a test mule for a new prototype alloy from Larrin Larrin nsm nsm and Crucible Steel.


The chemistry hasn’t been finalized yet, and those of us that are in the beta test group have been asked not to speak about anything beyond having the alloy, testing it, and showing what we’ve made.


My knife is .140” thick, and features a deep, high hollow grind with super thin geometry to push the resilience of the alloy to it’s limits. With any luck, I’ll be giving it a ‘real world’ workout on a deer, soon.


DSC_1874-X2.jpg




The frame handle construction uses black G10 for the frame, with a stub tang to reduce weight. I chose some old, old Brazilian Kingwood that I’ve been saving for years for the handle scales. Seems like it was appropriate. Overall length is just over 8”, features a 3-1/2” blade, and weighs 3-1/8 ounces.



A quick video demonstrating how thin the edge is:










….hopefully DeadboxHero DeadboxHero will chime in with his blade in this new material.
Click to expand...
dont break it man
 
Does anyone want to take pity on an ignoramus and explain how the video demonstrates the thinness of the edge? I don’t get it. 🤷‍♂️

Edit: Is it because he’s able to scrape the pipe (?) while holding the blade at what looks like a pretty acute angle?
 
Maximumbob54 said:
We are so flush with good steel at this point that I feel like anything new is going to have to wash your dishes and tuck you in at night to feel any more special.

Nice knife though!!!
Click to expand...


I can totally respect and understand that. The fact is, steel development has been about incremental improvements, often pitched with a marketing campaign attached to sell it. Or, the hype train starts itself, with passionate makers and users touting benefits, real or not. Worse, knife companies may not do the steps necessary to actually make a knife in the new alloy that demonstrates or justifies these improvements, leading to backlash.

The thing to note is that none of this is the alloy’s fault.

A properly designed knife, with geometry based on the strengths and weaknesses of the alloy for the intended application, properly heat treated, is usually revelatory in use.


It’s also incredibly, incredibly rare to find all of these factors applied in a knife, made by a production company or independent maker.

If you’ve been underwhelmed by a knife made of a steel that, in educated theory, didn’t live up to your expectations, it’s entirely likely that somewhere in that development chain something wasn’t addressed properly.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
I can totally respect and understand that. The fact is, steel development has been about incremental improvements, often pitched with a marketing campaign attached to sell it. Or, the hype train starts itself, with passionate makers and users touting benefits, real or not. Worse, knife companies may not do the steps necessary to actually make a knife in the new alloy that demonstrates or justifies these improvements, leading to backlash.

The thing to note is that none of this is the alloy’s fault.

A properly designed knife, with geometry based on the strengths and weaknesses of the alloy for the intended application, properly heat treated, is usually revelatory in use.


It’s also incredibly, incredibly rare to find all of these factors applied in a knife, made by a production company or independent maker.

If you’ve been underwhelmed by a knife made of a steel that, in educated theory, didn’t live up to your expectations, it’s entirely likely that somewhere in that development chain something wasn’t addressed properly.
Click to expand...

Is this the newer version of Nitro v that is coming out?
AEB-L, NitroV, and 14C28N are arguably some of the Best knife steels on the maket..... It will be interesting how much better this can be.

Looking forward to it.

Thanks.
 
MissesMeow said:
Duh. Yes. You are correct. Don’t know how I missed that. I watched the damn thing five times too. Thank you!
Click to expand...

I think it was a great question....I watched it a few times too with the sound off, and "assumed" that's what was going on, idk?
It wasn't a close up, enough for our small screens?
Makes sense, I'll try to watch again.... I like thin, flexey edges, and think it's fun when I've done that too....then I end up breaking them in some knotty pine....Oh well. ;)
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Is this the newer version of Nitro v that is coming out?
AEB-L, NitroV, and 14C28N are arguably some of the Best knife steels on the maket..... It will be interesting how much better this can be.

Looking forward to it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

No,

It is an Unnamed CPM prototype steel.

Completely unique and innovative design.

Cannot share details yet.
 
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