The "Ask Nathan a Question" Thread

Nathan the Machinist said:
Let's get this thread back on track
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Le’me try: so I was looking at the holes in the signature SDFK tang, and clearly they are smaller/less than - say - the holes in the HDFK tang. How do you optimize/balance the weight in a knife, meaning calculate how much to offset the HDFK fuller vs. the signature SDFK swedge via tang material removal ? Do you do trial and error, can you do it via your CAD software, etc. ? Just wondering ...
 
ferider said:
Le’me try: so I was looking at the holes in the signature SDFK tang, and clearly they are smaller/less than - say - the holes in the HDFK tang. How do you optimize/balance the weight in a knife, meaning calculate how much to offset the HDFK fuller vs. the signature SDFK swedge via tang material removal ? Do you do trial and error, can you do it via your CAD software, etc. ? Just wondering ...
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Probably the same way they calculate how much a bridge can hold.

r5tw11ew87721.jpg
 
unwisefool said:
Maybe you answered this before, and sorry if that is the case, but are you still tweaking the heat treat for magnacut or happy with what you have now?

Also, have you ever had the ice cream near the Falkirk Wheel?
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I'm really happy with the heat treat that I have. Actually, just starting off with a minor variation to some of the heats in the data sheet work really well although (fortunately for my brand) I've been able to take it a bit farther than that. The heat treat that I will be using is not transformative but it is demonstrably better and I'm very happy with it. Right now (literally right now) I'm rerunning the two best versions to validate repeatability and we're going to call it. At least for now.

It won't be "Delta Magnacut". I applied that terminology to 3V for a reason that does not apply here.

I also won't be able to say it's the best in the industry, because I just don't have a large experience to base a statement like that on, but I'm pretty confident that there's none better and I'm optimistic that time will show it to be the best. Obviously that's what I'm hoping for. The heat treat that I have worked up for it is very good, but the alloy itself did not have a problem with it that needed a workaround like 3V did. I'll take some pictures or do a video that demonstrate what we've come up with and how it compares to the standard. I think you guys are going to be pleased with what we've come up with.
 
ferider said:
Le’me try: so I was looking at the holes in the signature SDFK tang, and clearly they are smaller/less than - say - the holes in the HDFK tang. How do you optimize/balance the weight in a knife, meaning calculate how much to offset the HDFK fuller vs. the signature SDFK swedge via tang material removal ? Do you do trial and error, can you do it via your CAD software, etc. ? Just wondering ...
Click to expand...

I can measure the center of gravity in the CAD software and I know from experience where I want it.

I can also measure things like the stiffness and center of percussion etc in the cad software but that is largely moot on a pattern of this nature, it just is what it is.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I'm really happy with the heat treat that I have. Actually, just starting off with a minor variation to some of the heats in the data sheet work really well although (fortunately for my brand) I've been able to take it a bit farther than that. The heat treat that I will be using is not transformative but it is demonstrably better and I'm very happy with it. Right now (literally right now) I'm rerunning the two best versions to validate repeatability and we're going to call it. At least for now.

It won't be "Delta Magnacut". I applied that terminology to 3V for a reason that does not apply here.

I also won't be able to say it's the best in the industry, because I just don't have a large experience to base a statement like that on, but I'm pretty confident that there's none better and I'm optimistic that time will show it to be the best. Obviously that's what I'm hoping for. The heat treat that I have worked up for it is very good, but the alloy itself did not have a problem with it that needed a workaround like 3V did. I'll take some pictures or do a video that demonstrate what we've come up with and how it compares to the standard. I think you guys are going to be pleased with what we've come up with.
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Curious what HRc you ended up at for the optimized Magnacut?

The difference in edge damage on your finalized heat treat vs original is amazing. How close would you say the optimized Magnacut is to D3V?
 
bluemax_1 said:
Curious what HRc you ended up at for the optimized Magnacut?

The difference in edge damage on your finalized heat treat vs original is amazing. How close would you say the optimized Magnacut is to D3V?
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In light use it's probably better because of the higher wear resistance. In my normal use it's probably better because it seems to have better edge stability. In rough use it comes apart where D3V doesn't.

This is not just the case for my own special heat treat that I developed. I think people are going to be well served with Magnacut, with a quality heat treat, regardless of the maker.
 
Cap’n Smudge said:
Once you have 3-5 Basic series patterns, would you ever consider outsourcing production to another or multiple machine shops up to heat treat? Then after heat treat back to the mothership for final steps.
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Probably not. We are a significant manufacturing concern. Our output is limited because doing it right is resource-intensive. I don't see outsourcing that. I have five CNC machining centers and a bunch of automatic grinders. My output is what it is. I don't think anybody's going to be able to help me and make the product the way I want it made.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
In light use it's probably better because of the higher wear resistance. In my normal use it's probably better because it seems to have better edge stability. In rough use it comes apart where D3V doesn't.

This is not just the case for my own special heat treat that I developed. I think people are going to be well served with Magnacut, with a quality heat treat, regardless of the maker.
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What other steels have you experimented or plan to experiment with regarding HT?
 
ElCaptain said:
Hi Nathan, can you tell us what’s coming from CPK in 2023?
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2023 is intended to be a year of CPK classics. We are dusting off the Shiv, a field knife, a dagger, a light chopper and the EDC.

There is also a fireman's breaching tool, a K20 sword and a folder in process that are going to roll over into 2023.
 
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