Anyone else have experience with TRC's post apocalyptic finish?
All three of these are made by TRC for Williams Blade design - the one on the left is M390 with green canvas micarta, middle knife is Vanadis 4 Extra with Fat carbon fiber handle, one on the right is Elmax with black canvas micarta. I see now that some bits of paper towel stuck to the laser engraved logos on the blade, sorry about that. I believe that the Apocalyptic finish is left over from heat treatment, and is somehow preserved instead of being ground through revealing shiny steel. Please correct me if I'm wrong. What you get is each knife is a work of art different from any other.
I got the Elmax SZT blade first. The flat surfaces (saber portion of blade and tang) are kind of porous, like Parkerizing or bead blasting, with a neat rainbow effect. The primary grinds are as smooth as any satin finish, and are caramel colored with patina-looking blobs randomly across the surface. The pattern looks different on both sides of the blade. After being carried and used (outdoors and in the kitchen) for more than a year I haven't had any rust form, and this knife has been used, washed, and immediately re-sheathed.
The V4E SZK is absolutely gorgeous, it is dark blue almost black with blue and orange spots and patterns all over. I can feel how hard the V4E was taken when sharpening. It holds an edge better than any steel I've ever used. This one had some light surface rust appear, after carrying it IWB after washing with dish-soap that removed any protective oil - the rust wiped away without any pitting or staining. Since I applied Froglube it hasn't developed any rust.
The M390 SZM is similar to the Elmax knife but a little bit darker. I use this one the most, no rust and holds an edge almost as long as the V4E.
These were expensive knives, but they are a joy to use and it's amusing when friends and family see them and either think that they are beautiful or look like old rusted junk. What I like the most about them is the Williams' design, ancient style with modern materials, and TRC's quality is outstanding. These are fit and finished perfectly fit like a handmade custom.
Anyone else have one of these?
One more picture of the prettiest one:
All three of these are made by TRC for Williams Blade design - the one on the left is M390 with green canvas micarta, middle knife is Vanadis 4 Extra with Fat carbon fiber handle, one on the right is Elmax with black canvas micarta. I see now that some bits of paper towel stuck to the laser engraved logos on the blade, sorry about that. I believe that the Apocalyptic finish is left over from heat treatment, and is somehow preserved instead of being ground through revealing shiny steel. Please correct me if I'm wrong. What you get is each knife is a work of art different from any other.
I got the Elmax SZT blade first. The flat surfaces (saber portion of blade and tang) are kind of porous, like Parkerizing or bead blasting, with a neat rainbow effect. The primary grinds are as smooth as any satin finish, and are caramel colored with patina-looking blobs randomly across the surface. The pattern looks different on both sides of the blade. After being carried and used (outdoors and in the kitchen) for more than a year I haven't had any rust form, and this knife has been used, washed, and immediately re-sheathed.
The V4E SZK is absolutely gorgeous, it is dark blue almost black with blue and orange spots and patterns all over. I can feel how hard the V4E was taken when sharpening. It holds an edge better than any steel I've ever used. This one had some light surface rust appear, after carrying it IWB after washing with dish-soap that removed any protective oil - the rust wiped away without any pitting or staining. Since I applied Froglube it hasn't developed any rust.
The M390 SZM is similar to the Elmax knife but a little bit darker. I use this one the most, no rust and holds an edge almost as long as the V4E.
These were expensive knives, but they are a joy to use and it's amusing when friends and family see them and either think that they are beautiful or look like old rusted junk. What I like the most about them is the Williams' design, ancient style with modern materials, and TRC's quality is outstanding. These are fit and finished perfectly fit like a handmade custom.
Anyone else have one of these?
One more picture of the prettiest one:
