Thinking Of Offering Optional Steels

JK Knives

JK Knives

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For 2014 I am considering offering D2, 440C, CPM154, and ATS-34 as steel options. Let me know your thoughts.
 
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John, I can't give you a confirmed order yet. It will be a little while before I buy my next knife, but I plan to buy more from you. Now, here is the thing - if you have D2 in stock, I will likely buy my knives in that steel even if it costs a little more. But it won't mean any additional sales from me as I'm going to buy whatever I want and can afford anyway.

But others, who might have hesitated to buy because of O1, might be interested if you also offer a choice in steel.
 
I think its a wise move. I like your designs but O-1 is not a good choice for me because it simply rusts too easily. In smaller to mid-size knives I prefer a stainless (or semi-stainless like D2) like CPM-154, S35VN etc. (I don't think you need to offer both ATS-34 and CPM-154, as they are very similar.) In a bigger knife where you are likely to do some chopping I think a carbon steel like A-2 is best and even rust-prone steels O-1 or 52100 (incredible stuff) but ideally the latter should be coated or etched in some way to retard corrosion.
 
I think this would be a good move, John. This will open you up to whole other side of knife community that prefers stainless.

Will you be able to do an in house HT or would you have to send them out?
 
I love your O1,but wouldn't mind a stainless from Crucible.154CM,CPM154 or CPM3V.
 
cbwoods67 said:
I think this would be a good move, John. This will open you up to whole other side of knife community that prefers stainless.

Will you be able to do an in house HT or would you have to send them out?
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In house, I`m looking at a Evenheat or Paragon oven.
 
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I'm a huge fan of your O1, and a fan of 5160, and L6. For stainless (or semi-stainless), I love M390 as well as D2.

If you have D2 as a choice in 2014, I would consider something.. probably around March or April. I still have to plan and save so I can get my 2013 design entry made.

I love carbon steels.. and don't mind patina and rust as I maintain all of my cutlery at the same time as my firearms.
 
What ever you go with,you should test it like ViKtim 0 before offering it up to the masses.
Wait,never mind,I forgot you have a test team for that now.
 
I echo Saintly, I order when i can so it wouldn't mean more business from me,but I could see how it might from others. I might try a different steel now and again if you offered it, because I like trying different things in knives, same reason i have more then one knife in the same "categories."

Personally I prefer 01, "rusts easy", is another way of saying takes maintenance and a relationship with a tool (or at least a different like of tending) and I like that. I'm not saying its better but it's something i like, I don't order stainless unless it's just a knife i really want to try out for other reasons (maker, design etc) I like the balance of edge retention and difficulty re-sharpening etc etc

But yeah, plenty of people feel differently, there's a steel for every nut, and there's a million different kind of knife nuts who feel the same way about different steels 9and everything else!) I could see how it could expend your appeal into those guys.

SaintlyBrees said:
John, I can't give you a confirmed order yet. It will be a little while before I buy my next knife, but I plan to buy more from you. Now, here is the thing - if you have D2 in stock, I will likely buy my knives in that steel even if it costs a little more. But it won't mean any additional sales from me as I'm going to buy whatever I want and can afford anyway.

But others, who might have hesitated to buy because of O1, might be interested if you also offer a choice in steel.
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More steel choices would add some spice to the pot for sure!

I prefer stainless in some cases especially when it comes to smaller sized knives so it would
be nice to have that option.
 
I think it's a fantastic idea. As long as you can get the steels you need when you need them and don't need to keep a large stock on hand.
 
IMO....after working with D2 for over 15 years now,it is my choice for a good working edge knife,98 percent of the knives have been D2 for good reason...bob doizer an walter brend are useing it for good reason.....IMO one of the most over looked steels of today...I will remain a D2 man....also will keep your grand daughter in my prayers,
 
Nathan House 70 said:
IMO....after working with D2 for over 15 years now,it is my choice for a good working edge knife,98 percent of the knives have been D2 for good reason...bob doizer an walter brend are useing it for good reason.....IMO one of the most over looked steels of today...I will remain a D2 man....also will keep your grand daughter in my prayers,
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I agree on the D2, I`ve owned several Dozier knives in the past, and really liked how they held up.
 
IF you could make a SS knife thats as tough as your O1, I'd be all over it. I love some SS, doesn't really matter which.
 
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