A journey that started the first week of September 1998 has drawn to a close. Both the Rob Simonich Wambli and the Trace Rinaldi Chimera have been completed, delivered, and held in hand.
What follows is but a preliminary synopsis as I have just received the Chimera; the Wambli has been in hand for over 2 months.
First the blade material Talonite. I have made numerous posts since first receiving the Wambli. Suffice it to say that the stuff cuts like crazy on all but rope. The "slippery" nature of the alloy would
seem to indicate that the microscopic "teeth" common with dendritic and conventional tool and stainless steels are much, much smaller as there is an absence of the familiar "bite". But a tad bit of additional
pressure finds the Talonite slicing through the rope quite effectively anyhow. I offer the observation as an indication of the difference in cutting feel. Meat might as well be butter the way talonite
effortlessly cuts. Other test medium such as wood, corrogated cardboard, etc are no challenge to this age hardened chemical
equivilent of Stellite 6Bh. For the knifemaker, Talonite's metallurgical processing has meant a tremendous reduction in belts required to grind and shape a blade from bar stock. The manufacturer claims a 30% improvement in wear characteristics (read edge retention) over Stellite. I haven't been able to do a direct comparison but suffice it to say that this stuff cuts, and cuts, and cuts without dulling. It simply blows away the CPM440V knives I own. It takes a great edge and is quite easy to resharpen too.
The designs:
- Wambli: this was basically a stretched Cetan model that is a standard offering of Rob Simonich. I wanted an OAL of 8.25" with
a bit longer handle than the Cetan. We decided to go with 3/16" stock to provide a beefy, bull of a short stout field knife. The blade is a flat ground drop point with two slight decorative bevels instead of any false edge on the forward part of the spline. The Talonite was taken to 400 grit and hand rubbed with final finish from a maroon ScotchBrite pad. The simple classic green-black micarta handle design, lightly bead blasted affords a palm filling
secure and comfortable grip. The 3/16" stock used means that for its size, the Wambli is heavy as Talonite is quite dense compared to
traditional knife blade material. I have no fear using this knife as a mini-pry bar although I have not pressed my abuse that far. I have managed to scratch up the blade a bit but a quick rub with a Scotchbrite pad can melt the scratches away effectively. Why if this stuff is so tough does it scratch? It is RC49 yet the cobalt itself suspended in the alloy's matrix performs more like RC65-70! The old Rockwell tests are quite misleading on this type of material as
Kit Carson has pointed out. Fit and finish as well as the multi-carry sheath Rob provides are superb.
- Chimera: Trace and I played with a design ultimately settling on one which incorporated aspects of three of his standard offerings:
the Spook, LUK, and Sharkstooth. I wanted 1/8" stock used to shape a flat ground drop point blade with distral taper. This wider,
thiner and slightly longer blade than that of the Wambli features a beadblasted finish. Originally I also wanted the spline to be 1/8" higher than the handle with a file worked thumb ramp. Trace deleted this aspect correctly as it really doesn't fit a 8.5" OAL
knife. Had it been a 10 incher, yes, that profile would have been a plus. The burgundy G-10 beadblasted handle with intricate mosaic pins is a more flat profile than the Wambli and features twin finger cutouts. It too has an exceptional feel and balance in the
hand. The thiner stock and wider blade give the Chimera a wispy feel compared to the indestructible feel of the Wambli. Both are
balanced effectively behind the index finger. When held in a thumb forward saber grip both knives imbue the handler with a feeling of
total control and flexibility in bring the edge to bear. While the weight saving between the 3/16" and 1/8" stock is significant, I have yet to determine if the Chimera's slimmer blade translates to any
lesser strength in actual use. Trace also supplied a neat multi-carry sheath system which features a thumb release allowing a slip pocket carry with the same system.
Speculation:
Yes since the Chimera has just been received I am unable to contrast actual use but suffice it to say that I anticipate the thinner wider blade of the Chimera to excell over the already exceptional Wambli
in the kitchen. Whereas the bullish strength and narrower width of the Wambli to have the advantage in dressing game and with general field and utility chores. Unquestionably these knives make a great
using pair.....the Talonite Twins.
Postscript:
When Rob and I first settled on design parameters for the knife he would make me, we didn't know if the Talonite would really work
out. Accordingly my preferences for a fancy handle were put on hold in favor of some nice green-black micarta until we had proof of
concept. Now that we know how great this stuff is, my Wambli is going back for a little dressing up. Rob will be replacing the six 3/16" pin handle configuration with removable torx screws which will secure a pair of fancy sheeps horn slabs.
Recommendations: Don't waffle, go for it! Try a Talonite blade! Both of these makers have created exceptional instruments with
outstanding fit and finish. I unhesitatingly recommend both men to all who seek a great blade!
I will try to arrange with Spark to have pictures of both knives posted here. Other photos may be seem at www.simonichknives.com and www.pe.net/~thrknives/
In the interim, anyone wanting jpegs of both knives with sheaths side by side and an edge on view illustrating the different thickness please e-mail me at bald1@usa.net
***LATE FLASH...see 4th post below for a link to see the pictures!****
------------------
-=[Bob]=-
I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!
[This message has been edited by bald1 (edited 14 February 1999).]
What follows is but a preliminary synopsis as I have just received the Chimera; the Wambli has been in hand for over 2 months.
First the blade material Talonite. I have made numerous posts since first receiving the Wambli. Suffice it to say that the stuff cuts like crazy on all but rope. The "slippery" nature of the alloy would
seem to indicate that the microscopic "teeth" common with dendritic and conventional tool and stainless steels are much, much smaller as there is an absence of the familiar "bite". But a tad bit of additional
pressure finds the Talonite slicing through the rope quite effectively anyhow. I offer the observation as an indication of the difference in cutting feel. Meat might as well be butter the way talonite
effortlessly cuts. Other test medium such as wood, corrogated cardboard, etc are no challenge to this age hardened chemical
equivilent of Stellite 6Bh. For the knifemaker, Talonite's metallurgical processing has meant a tremendous reduction in belts required to grind and shape a blade from bar stock. The manufacturer claims a 30% improvement in wear characteristics (read edge retention) over Stellite. I haven't been able to do a direct comparison but suffice it to say that this stuff cuts, and cuts, and cuts without dulling. It simply blows away the CPM440V knives I own. It takes a great edge and is quite easy to resharpen too.
The designs:
- Wambli: this was basically a stretched Cetan model that is a standard offering of Rob Simonich. I wanted an OAL of 8.25" with
a bit longer handle than the Cetan. We decided to go with 3/16" stock to provide a beefy, bull of a short stout field knife. The blade is a flat ground drop point with two slight decorative bevels instead of any false edge on the forward part of the spline. The Talonite was taken to 400 grit and hand rubbed with final finish from a maroon ScotchBrite pad. The simple classic green-black micarta handle design, lightly bead blasted affords a palm filling
secure and comfortable grip. The 3/16" stock used means that for its size, the Wambli is heavy as Talonite is quite dense compared to
traditional knife blade material. I have no fear using this knife as a mini-pry bar although I have not pressed my abuse that far. I have managed to scratch up the blade a bit but a quick rub with a Scotchbrite pad can melt the scratches away effectively. Why if this stuff is so tough does it scratch? It is RC49 yet the cobalt itself suspended in the alloy's matrix performs more like RC65-70! The old Rockwell tests are quite misleading on this type of material as
Kit Carson has pointed out. Fit and finish as well as the multi-carry sheath Rob provides are superb.
- Chimera: Trace and I played with a design ultimately settling on one which incorporated aspects of three of his standard offerings:
the Spook, LUK, and Sharkstooth. I wanted 1/8" stock used to shape a flat ground drop point blade with distral taper. This wider,
thiner and slightly longer blade than that of the Wambli features a beadblasted finish. Originally I also wanted the spline to be 1/8" higher than the handle with a file worked thumb ramp. Trace deleted this aspect correctly as it really doesn't fit a 8.5" OAL
knife. Had it been a 10 incher, yes, that profile would have been a plus. The burgundy G-10 beadblasted handle with intricate mosaic pins is a more flat profile than the Wambli and features twin finger cutouts. It too has an exceptional feel and balance in the
hand. The thiner stock and wider blade give the Chimera a wispy feel compared to the indestructible feel of the Wambli. Both are
balanced effectively behind the index finger. When held in a thumb forward saber grip both knives imbue the handler with a feeling of
total control and flexibility in bring the edge to bear. While the weight saving between the 3/16" and 1/8" stock is significant, I have yet to determine if the Chimera's slimmer blade translates to any
lesser strength in actual use. Trace also supplied a neat multi-carry sheath system which features a thumb release allowing a slip pocket carry with the same system.
Speculation:
Yes since the Chimera has just been received I am unable to contrast actual use but suffice it to say that I anticipate the thinner wider blade of the Chimera to excell over the already exceptional Wambli
in the kitchen. Whereas the bullish strength and narrower width of the Wambli to have the advantage in dressing game and with general field and utility chores. Unquestionably these knives make a great
using pair.....the Talonite Twins.
Postscript:
When Rob and I first settled on design parameters for the knife he would make me, we didn't know if the Talonite would really work
out. Accordingly my preferences for a fancy handle were put on hold in favor of some nice green-black micarta until we had proof of
concept. Now that we know how great this stuff is, my Wambli is going back for a little dressing up. Rob will be replacing the six 3/16" pin handle configuration with removable torx screws which will secure a pair of fancy sheeps horn slabs.
Recommendations: Don't waffle, go for it! Try a Talonite blade! Both of these makers have created exceptional instruments with
outstanding fit and finish. I unhesitatingly recommend both men to all who seek a great blade!
I will try to arrange with Spark to have pictures of both knives posted here. Other photos may be seem at www.simonichknives.com and www.pe.net/~thrknives/
In the interim, anyone wanting jpegs of both knives with sheaths side by side and an edge on view illustrating the different thickness please e-mail me at bald1@usa.net
***LATE FLASH...see 4th post below for a link to see the pictures!****
------------------
-=[Bob]=-
I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!
[This message has been edited by bald1 (edited 14 February 1999).]
I am gonna have to make one of them for myself. Pleasure doing business with you and I look forward to more in the future.