VG-10, ATS-34, & BG-42

O.D., it seems youy found your answer in the Fallkniven line, based on your requirements. Heck, given the criteria being discussed, it would certainly be my choice. Another choice for a good, general purpose knife in ATS-34 in the same approximate price range is Benchmade's Nimravus. It sounds liek either of these would do an admirable job.

As for BG-42 blades, looking at the Buck line on A.G. Russell's site as listed above, for the same money or less, you could have Trace Rinaldi grind out one of his LUK's or TKK's in BG-42. A custom blade for the price that some people get for production pieces. I have one of his early TKK's, and I continue to admire and appreciate the design, quality, and materials that went into that knife. Short of something in Talonite in the same size range, I don't think I'll ever need another medium sized general purpose (or even perhaps defensive) fixed blade knife. There still may be time to get an order in before Christmas as well. Just a thought, but for the money, the Fallknivens seem to be winning in a big way here.

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Don LeHue

The pen is mightier than the sword...outside of arm's reach. Modify radius accordingly for rifle.


 
I think the Buck knives are better field knives for the money than the Rinaldis. They are also more attractive. The original MSRP on the Bucks were over $200. I looked at the Rinaldi designs before buying Buck. I would need the Rinaldi designs modified before I would use them hunting. I haven't seen a more efficient knife design than the Vanguard, custom or production.
 
An advantage that the Fallkniven (speling ?) knives seem to have over the Buck is that the exposed butt of the full tang is asking that the knife be used as a chisel if need be, by hammering on the end of the handle. It is something that we should be able to do to any hard use knife as wood chisels are also just hardened steel, usually with very fine edges, with wood or plastic handles. Is the Buck designed for such use ? How many other knives are ?
 
I'm not sure I could condone the use of a good knife as a chisel. On the other hand the flat end of the Buck Vanguard could be used for hammering. I'm not about to test it in chisel mode. If you hammer on the end of a Fallkniven you are likely to raise a nasty burr. I'm not planning to try that on my F1.
 
I'm not suggesting that one uses a ball peen, or even worse a carpenter's hammer, but being able to beat on the knife with a wood mallet of some sort, usually a big stick, or even a plastic mallet seems justified for any knife that advertises itself as a 'survival' knife. Beating on the back of the blade also seems justified, especially considering that someone mentioned that a survival instructor showed how someone could cut down a moderate sized tree with the technique using a Mora knife.
 
If $130 doesn't sound like too much to spend, I would definately save up another $50 and go with a hand made ATS-34 knife.

Harv
 
From whom pray tell? $180 dollars is starting to get up there in the "I don't dare lose/break it department." It would have to have a kydex sheath too. Who makes this combo of fantastic minimal maintenance knife and fantastic maintenance free sheath for $180 and little or no wait?

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Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of the tyrant; it is the creed of slaves.

William Pitt, 1783

 
OD - VG10 tested better than ATS34 in corrosion resistance by a decent margin. We have BG42 in the "Q" fog hopper now. Should have some results in several weeks.

In edge retention; BG42 tested best, Then VG10, then ATS34. However, keep in mind that all tested well...this was just the order we found.

However...At this time there are very few VG10 blades available. The Spyderco Moran was the first VG10 production knife. This is the knife that Fallkniven tested when they made their decision to use the steel.

The others are folders...Spyderco; Calypso (large), Calypso Jr liteweight and the Shabaria. there are no custom makers in the US using the steel at this time. (heat treat is quite important here).

Hope that helps.

sal
 
Thanks Sal, I was wondering when, if ever, VG-10 was going to "explode" on the scene. The steel seems like a "no brainer" improvement over ATS-34, which at least seems to be the conclusion Fallkniven drew from the Spydie Moran testing.

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Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of the tyrant; it is the creed of slaves.

William Pitt, 1783

 
Er, an improvement over ATS-34 in corrosion resistance. There already were other more highly corrosion resistant steels than ATS-34 before VG-10. 440 series, GIN-1, Sandvik 12C27, and AUS8 for instance. How VG-10 would compare in performance to 440C would be an interesting study.

I bet Trace Rinaldi can make a medium sized camp knife, similar to the A-1 for under $200, maybe even out of BG-42. Rob Simonich would come pretty close too. I saw a Mike Irie BG-42 field knife on the For Sale forum this week go for $165. I don't think they are that much more new. All should come with a good Kydex sheath included in the price.

The Spydy Moran would be a darn fine choice if it is in your size range.

The A-1 really is a great knife, from what I have heard. If you buy a third party sheath though, you are almost into the bottom end handmade price range. That is all I'm thinking.

Harv
 
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