Warren Thomas with composite blade

dsvirsky · Feb 28, 2008

To get back on track and answer some of MVF's questions, the carbide is welded to the Ti. It will eventually wear away, but as Warren Thomas has pointed out elsewhere, it'll take a couple of hundred sharpenings before that happens and, if/when it does, you can send the knife back to him for refurbishing. Warren's been succesfully making these composite blades for a long time, so I wouldn't worry about the blade delaminating.

I acquired one of Warren's neck knives in G10/Ti about a month ago and have been carrying and using it. I like it, in part because of the light weight and complete corrosion resistance, in part because of the "novelty" factor, but, truth be told, it does not compare favorably with steel knives when it comes to performance.

On a final note, there's nothing magical about the Ti used in these knives; it's 6AL4V Ti. and it will set off the metal detector at the airport.

MVF · Feb 28, 2008

Ahh- answers! Bless you sir!

The edge did feel a good bit like a saw, but was just so much thinner than I expected. Though his folders are well into my idea of expensive, his neckers are in my price range. Just to make sure I understand you correctly- they will stand up to normal, reasonable use (cutting)?

Have you sharpened yours yet? I would expect the ti to wear faster than the carbides- oh, for the fabled "self-sharpening" knife!

dsvirsky · Mar 1, 2008

These knives will hold up just fine if used for normal, reasonable use; i.e., cutting.

I have sharpened mine, mostly because I feel compelled to sharpen all my knives. Following Warren's advice on the subject, I used a fine diamond hone (Warren actually recommends medium diamond, but you work with what you have) on the beveled side and then stropped the carbide coated side; the edge can be maintained by stropping just the beveled side. FWIW, I was not able to get the knife anywhere near as sharp as I can get a similar steel knife; best I could do was "working" sharp. Might be I need to adjust my technique, but I think it more likely that it's the nature of the Ti/carbide edge.

RL · Mar 1, 2008

MVF, i have a WT and a metal detector but unfortunately it is still packed away (I moved recently)...I will try to look for it...in the meantime, you can enjoy pics of my mini pocket hawk

MVF · Mar 1, 2008

What an interesting design! That's got my imagination working to come up with uses for it. Thanks for the pics RL.

dsvirsky- That's about what I would expect, The edges on the knives I saw were thinner and sharper than I expected them to be, but very "aggressive" feeling- LOTS of "tooth". That was why I was so concerned about useability- it felt like it could be fragile.

Does seem like a good edge for a defense knife. I think you are correct as far as sharpening, I don't see how you could get a fine edge the way the carbides are laid on. Thanks again for the input. I may pick up one of his neckers or pack knives.