Stuart Davenport Knives
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2022
- Messages
- 455
Hello everyone. I finished putting the edge on this knife late last week and finally got around to posting it for sale!
The knife is my Verde Ranch Hunter model, this time in 0.110" Cru Forge V. As some of you recall, this is one of my favorite low alloy steels. While the vanadium addition is low in comparison to some of the higher vanadium tool steels, it is still quite wear resistant for such a simple composition. Larrin's CATRA testing shows 52100 and A2 slightly ahead of CFV at the 60HRC range, but in hand polishing both of those steels are just simply a joy to work with compared with Cru Forge V, and in my real world use CFV has higher wear resistance than those, especially at higher hardness (63HRC+) in direct comparison. Let's say very very close, possibly within statistical variation. I think CFV, A2, 52100, 1.2562, and Blue Super are all very similar in wear resistance.
The knife was heat treated in house including thermal cycling for grain refinement, a DET anneal, fast oil quench, "cryo" treatment, and triple tempers. About the best heat treat it can take.
During grinding the carbide banding became visible so I decided to etch the blade after polishing to 1200 grit. Not a type O! That is twelve hundred grit on 63HRC CFV. Not fun. The light vinegar etch brought out the carbide banding, but isn't strong enough to come through in the photos. In hand and under light you can make out the banding, which is most assuredly the vanadium carbide structure. Pretty much any of these low alloy carbon steels that contain vanadium will give a banding structure, as been my experience. This being the discovery of the patterns in wootz steel...vanadium enriched carbides aligning in dendritic type formation. The exposed tang and spine are all etched as well for a uniform finish across the steel parts.
The grind is full flat, slightly convex, terminating in a very thin edge, around 0.005" prior to the sharpening process. For those interested, I established the apex on a DMT 1200 mesh stone, refined on the DMT 8000 mesh stone, further refined on the Spyderco UF stone, and then stropped on sub micron lapping film. The edge is refined but quite aggressive. Very light touches with the pads of your fingertips is advisable only if you're familiar doing that.
The handle is black micarta with stainless steel pins. The overall neutral handle shape feels great in the hand with all the usual grip styles. This is a game processing machine, and would be very comfortable in the kitchen as a paring or light utility knife.
OAL: 8 3/4"
Blade: 4 1/4"
Handle: 4 1/2"
Thickness: 0.110"
Steel: Cru Forge V 63HRC with "cryo"
Edge: 13° per side, sub micron
Price: SOLD (includes kydex sheath and free shipping)
Paypall preferred (samuraistuart@yahoo.com). All knives come with free shipping in the USA as well as a lifetime unconditional warranty. Something goes wrong, the knife gets repaired or replaced. I ask that the buyer be aware that most all of my knives are cutting tools and are made only for their intended use. I like to make thin, hard knives that excel at cutting and not necessarily able to take abuse. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me here or contact me by email (samuraistuart@yahoo.com). Thanks for taking a look, and follow me on Instagram at stuartalandavenport.
The knife is my Verde Ranch Hunter model, this time in 0.110" Cru Forge V. As some of you recall, this is one of my favorite low alloy steels. While the vanadium addition is low in comparison to some of the higher vanadium tool steels, it is still quite wear resistant for such a simple composition. Larrin's CATRA testing shows 52100 and A2 slightly ahead of CFV at the 60HRC range, but in hand polishing both of those steels are just simply a joy to work with compared with Cru Forge V, and in my real world use CFV has higher wear resistance than those, especially at higher hardness (63HRC+) in direct comparison. Let's say very very close, possibly within statistical variation. I think CFV, A2, 52100, 1.2562, and Blue Super are all very similar in wear resistance.
The knife was heat treated in house including thermal cycling for grain refinement, a DET anneal, fast oil quench, "cryo" treatment, and triple tempers. About the best heat treat it can take.
During grinding the carbide banding became visible so I decided to etch the blade after polishing to 1200 grit. Not a type O! That is twelve hundred grit on 63HRC CFV. Not fun. The light vinegar etch brought out the carbide banding, but isn't strong enough to come through in the photos. In hand and under light you can make out the banding, which is most assuredly the vanadium carbide structure. Pretty much any of these low alloy carbon steels that contain vanadium will give a banding structure, as been my experience. This being the discovery of the patterns in wootz steel...vanadium enriched carbides aligning in dendritic type formation. The exposed tang and spine are all etched as well for a uniform finish across the steel parts.
The grind is full flat, slightly convex, terminating in a very thin edge, around 0.005" prior to the sharpening process. For those interested, I established the apex on a DMT 1200 mesh stone, refined on the DMT 8000 mesh stone, further refined on the Spyderco UF stone, and then stropped on sub micron lapping film. The edge is refined but quite aggressive. Very light touches with the pads of your fingertips is advisable only if you're familiar doing that.
The handle is black micarta with stainless steel pins. The overall neutral handle shape feels great in the hand with all the usual grip styles. This is a game processing machine, and would be very comfortable in the kitchen as a paring or light utility knife.
OAL: 8 3/4"
Blade: 4 1/4"
Handle: 4 1/2"
Thickness: 0.110"
Steel: Cru Forge V 63HRC with "cryo"
Edge: 13° per side, sub micron
Price: SOLD (includes kydex sheath and free shipping)
Paypall preferred (samuraistuart@yahoo.com). All knives come with free shipping in the USA as well as a lifetime unconditional warranty. Something goes wrong, the knife gets repaired or replaced. I ask that the buyer be aware that most all of my knives are cutting tools and are made only for their intended use. I like to make thin, hard knives that excel at cutting and not necessarily able to take abuse. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me here or contact me by email (samuraistuart@yahoo.com). Thanks for taking a look, and follow me on Instagram at stuartalandavenport.
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