TRC Knives Post Apocalyptic Finish Experience & Thoughts

If you think about it, living during an apocalypse would be irregular, inconsistent, and chaotic . The TRC Apocalypse finish reflects that. I would not want the apocalypse finish done any different. It’s unique to the knife industry and far more interesting to look at than a stonewashed finish.
 
XtianAus said:
Bump
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The finish on the stainless steel (M390 and Elmax) does not easily rust. I was concerned that the finish would encourage oxidation but neither Elmax or M390 has done so after a year or more.

The dark blue finish on the Vanadis 4 Extra does rust, but very light on the surface and it wipes right off. It does not pit, at least mine hasn't (and it would have if it were going to, I used this knife all summer rain or shine and it did great). A weekly wipe-down with Froglube works to prevent any rust.

Comparing these to ripped or frayed jeans would only be accurate if the jeans looked ripped, but weren't, and never ripped or frayed further.
 
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XtianAus said:
I absolutely agree. Didnt like it at first but digging it now. Not a fan of elmax but if there are any released in magnacut, i'll have to jump on one.
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Actually, their Polheim model in magnacut was released, not long ago i believe.
I do apologize for any inconvenience to your budget 😁
 
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Reminds me of a pic I saw once . 3 beautiful, highly privileged , young women , eating their ice cream cones . Walking in the sun along a boardwalk .

Smiling and laughing , not a care in the world ...but all their clothes and accessories, looked as if ravaged by giant wolverines ! 🤪

A hard used , but well cared for , knife (or other gear ) looks like experience to me . Respect .

Fake hard used ...looks like posing . Not impressed !
 
The only information I can dig up on it is they called it a very aggressive stone wash finish
Smells like sour rocks and chemicals
 
ShaiHulud said:
The only information I can dig up on it is they called it a very aggressive stone wash finish
Smells like sour rocks and chemicals
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It's discoloration from heat treating.

The smell reminds me of how Strider knives used to come. They called it "chemical rot treatment".

Mine stopped smelling after I washed it, like most things.
 
DocJD said:
Reminds me of a pic I saw once . 3 beautiful, highly privileged , young women , eating their ice cream cones . Walking in the sun along a boardwalk .

Smiling and laughing , not a care in the world ...but all their clothes and accessories, looked as if ravaged by giant wolverines ! 🤪

A hard used , but well cared for , knife (or other gear ) looks like experience to me . Respect .

Fake hard used ...looks like posing . Not impressed !
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What "fake hard used"?

It's discoloration from heat treating. Instead of grinding it off, they preserve it.
 
XtianAus said:
I absolutely agree. Didnt like it at first but digging it now. Not a fan of elmax but if there are any released in magnacut, i'll have to jump on one.
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I was told, at Blade, that there will be Magnacut releases soon. It'll be interesting to see if I can tell the difference between Elmax and Magnacut, I've found proper Elmax to be extremely balanced between corrosion resistance, edge holding, toughness and ease of sharpening.
 
It looks to me like the same effect Medford was doing for awhile on their blades. Tends to look like someone was trying to screw up the blade with a blowtorch. It's not my cup of tea, that's for sure.
 
MatthewSB said:
What "fake hard used"?

It's discoloration from heat treating. Instead of grinding it off, they preserve it.
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What do you think actual "post apocalyptic " condition would be ? LOL 🤯

So it's fake PC .

Just 'cause it's not for me ...🤷‍♂️
 
DocJD said:
What do you think actual "post apocalyptic " condition would be ? LOL 🤯
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For 99% of the stainless (high end stainless like M390, Elmax, S30V, S35VN, etc) knives out there, they would look just like they do now, a satin or stonewashed finish with scratches from use and sharpening.

The TRC knives would look like they do now, plus scratches and big shiny spots where the leftover oxidation from heat treating wore off from use and sharpening.
 
MatthewSB said:
For 99% of the stainless (high end stainless like M390, Elmax, S30V, S35VN, etc) knives out there, they would look just like they do now, a satin or stonewashed finish with scratches from use and sharpening.

The TRC knives would look like they do now, plus scratches and big shiny spots where the leftover oxidation from heat treating wore off from use and sharpening.
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Maybe...if the apocalypse consists of a slo-mo tech collapse , due only to global mass "quiet quitting" . A kinder, gentler, lazier apocalypse . ☺️
 
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https://imgur.com/nWs6XHi
 
This is interesting (to me) I just checked my spare Elmax SZM and SZT and they look very different from the Elmax SZT in my first post - that one has a texture on the flat sabre portion and all kinds of rainbow colors here and there, these shift from dark blue on the spine to brown in front and are completely smooth.

For the record, I don't have many fixed blades, but I really like the Williams design due to the slim profile and symmetrical versatile handle that works in any grip.

Willaims 02.JPG
 
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I hated the apocalypse finish "it's a feature, not a defect" look - and I picked up a Winkler SZK S01 made by TRC in M390 with a black DLC finish (and green G10 handles.)
 
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