The Duke

BP_

BP_

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Aug 26, 2015
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Are there any scale options on the S35VN production Duke besides black and canvas micarta?

What steel types are offered on both the customs and the mid techs?

I'm looking to pull the trigger on one, and was just curious as to what all my options were. I've done my googling, but I prefer BF knowledge to fill in the gaps Google can't seem to fill.

Thanks in advance, I can't wait to get one!
 
The production models only come in black and natural scales on S35VN steel. However, occasionally the forge puts out some 'Custom Shop' knives which are production blades (S35VN) with custom handles. Andy made mention of some custom shop stuff coming down the pipeline so I would watch the next few Friday sales.

As for fully custom, the combinations are endless. O1 and A2 are the standard steels you'll see from the shop. Occasionally some CPM 154 as well.

For what it's worth, a production Duke in black is at the top of my list currently.
 
Odaon said:
The production models only come in black and natural scales on S35VN steel. However, occasionally the forge puts out some 'Custom Shop' knives which are production blades (S35VN) with custom handles. Andy made mention of some custom shop stuff coming down the pipeline so I would watch the next few Friday sales.

As for fully custom, the combinations are endless. O1 and A2 are the standard steels you'll see from the shop. Occasionally some CPM 154 as well.

For what it's worth, a production Duke in black is at the top of my list currently.
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Right on, I'll have to check on the sales. I do love the natural canvas and the black though. I just like the idea of stainless for its intended uses, or I would jump on an O1 or A2. A stainless custom shop with some nice custom wood scales would be to die for!

How's the S35VN hold up on the Duke? I have read that people have beaten on it relatively abusively, but 'abuse' is a relative term. I have also heard people say that S35VN is never a steel they would use for bushcraft or heavy abuse. I'm interested to know real world opinions.
 
bloody_pawprint said:
Right on, I'll have to check on the sales. I do love the natural canvas and the black though. I just like the idea of stainless for its intended uses, or I would jump on an O1 or A2. A stainless custom shop with some nice custom wood scales would be to die for!

How's the S35VN hold up on the Duke? I have read that people have beaten on it relatively abusively, but 'abuse' is a relative term. I have also heard people say that S35VN is never a steel they would use for bushcraft or heavy abuse. I'm interested to know real world opinions.
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If you haven't you need to read this thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1387182-Production-duke
 
bloody_pawprint said:
seems like I'm not the only one whose concerns needed to be put to bed. thanks for the link! I'm pretty much sold. now, it's just finding and funding the one that calls my name.. lol
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That's the fun part! At least the finding. :thumbup: Good luck!
 
Odaon said:
That's the fun part! At least the finding. :thumbup: Good luck!
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yes it is! I think it's about time to thin the fixed blade collection down to users only anyway, so even the "funding" will be "fun" lol thanks!
 
bloody_pawprint said:
Are there any scale options on the S35VN production Duke besides black and canvas micarta?

What steel types are offered on both the customs and the mid techs?

I'm looking to pull the trigger on one, and was just curious as to what all my options were. I've done my googling, but I prefer BF knowledge to fill in the gaps Google can't seem to fill.

Thanks in advance, I can't wait to get one!
Click to expand...

We do custom shop ones were we put the scales on and shape them by hand. I'm doing one in Ironwood right now. All of the production ones are CPM S35VN. The handmade knives are either 01 (rare nowadays) and A2. Glad you like the Duke! Its one of my favorite models too.
 
Fiddleback said:
We do custom shop ones were we put the scales on and shape them by hand. I'm doing one in Ironwood right now. All of the production ones are CPM S35VN. The handmade knives are either 01 (rare nowadays) and A2. Glad you like the Duke! Its one of my favorite models too.
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thank you, sir, for the response! I do think after hearing what people have to say, and reading the other thread, that S35VN will be able to handle anything I can personally throw at it. I'll have to wait around and try to get lucky on a Custom Shop one, or search around on the exchange for a while. hearing it is one of your favorite models as well just inspires me even more! I can't wait to get one, and get it out there to put it to some good use.
 
bloody_pawprint said:
thank you, sir, for the response! I do think after hearing what people have to say, and reading the other thread, that S35VN will be able to handle anything I can personally throw at it. I'll have to wait around and try to get lucky on a Custom Shop one, or search around on the exchange for a while. hearing it is one of your favorite models as well just inspires me even more! I can't wait to get one, and get it out there to put it to some good use.
Click to expand...

In my experience with the production Duke, the S35VN has exceeded my expectations. I used mine pretty hard, and was amazed at its toughness and edge holding. I love Fiddleback's O1 and REALLY love the A2. I have not used the S35VN long enough to accurately compare it to those two steels, but so far it is performing at least as good... and its stainless.
 
ncrockclimb said:
In my experience with the production Duke, the S35VN has exceeded my expectations. I used mine pretty hard, and was amazed at its toughness and edge holding. I love Fiddleback's O1 and REALLY love the A2. I have not used the S35VN long enough to accurately compare it to those two steels, but so far it is performing at least as good... and its stainless.
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I don't have much experience with either of the tool steels, but I do have several blades (both folding and fixed) in S35VN. I had never thought of it as a "hard use" or "survival/bushcraft" steel, but Fiddleback has definitely got my attention on reconsidering just that. The glorious reviews of it has gotten me even more excited to give it a shot!
 
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