What is san mai exactly?

[jlauffer]

It’s good to see some companies still doing that grind.

Yes it is, but why CS uses the terms "rolled edge" for a convex edge and "cantle" for a regular V-edge is a mystery. A rolled edge normally refers to an edge that is damaged from impact (the steel bends or rolls over to one side), while cantle is part of a saddle.

 

[Mike Sastre]

The San Mai III Kukri is worth every penny.

 

[KenHash]

Yes it is, but why CS uses the terms "rolled edge" for a convex edge and "cantle" for a regular V-edge is a mystery. A rolled edge normally refers to an edge that is damaged from impact (the steel bends or rolls over to one side), while cantle is part of a saddle.

I've always wondered why as well. Another mystery to me is why CS uses the term "Aus8A".
Aus8 is made by Aichi Steel in Japan where it is called A8. It is always annealed.
The correct term, according to the steel manufacturer, is Aus8 or 8A, as used by most other knife companies.

 

[nephron]

The San Mai III Kukri is worth every penny.

Definitely, and the left over SM Trailmaster's are a steal at the prices I see them going for.

 

[KenHash]

That the VG-1 SM TMs made by Hattori are going to end eventually is obvious. The writing is on the wall.

 

[Hermit_Knight]

That the VG-1 SM TMs made by Hattori are going to end eventually is obvious. The writing is on the wall.

I wished I was into collecting when the Hattori tai pans were cheaper the imperial one looks amazing, hopefully the Taiwanese san mai I pre ordered is ok.

 

[Mike Sastre]

Both the San Mai III Kukri and the San Mai III Trail Master are the only ones still made in Japan with the VG-1 core. Get them while you still can.

 

[The Whip]

Yes it is, but why CS uses the terms "rolled edge" for a convex edge and "cantle" for a regular V-edge is a mystery. A rolled edge normally refers to an edge that is damaged from impact (the steel bends or rolls over to one side), while cantle is part of a saddle.

I've always wondered why as well. Another mystery to me is why CS uses the term "Aus8A".
Aus8 is made by Aichi Steel in Japan where it is called A8. It is always annealed.
The correct term, according to the steel manufacturer, is Aus8 or 8A, as used by most other knife companies.

Ahh, you gentlemen forced me into my archives in order to dig out some history for you. The use of the term "rolled edge" to refer to a convex blade grind has been common in the knife industry for many years. Here is an image of grind descriptions from the Gun Digest Book of Knives from 1974, long before Cold Steel existed.

Here also is a quote from page 67 of Greg Walker's 1993 book Battle Blades, in which he used the term to refer to the grind on an SOG.

I can't quite explain the use of the term "cantle." Merriam-Webster defines it as "a segment cut off or out of something," so the term may be referring to the use of the secondary bevel, meaning that the secondary bevel is cut off of the primary bevel to form the cutting edge. A second possibility is that they meant "canted," since the verb "cant" means "to bevel; to form an oblique surface upon."


As for the use of the term "AUS 8A," that also is not original or unique to Cold Steel. Other companies have used that name for their steel over the years, whether or not it is correct technically. Here is a clip from a 1991 Kershaw catalog.

And here is a description for an Aristocrat knife from an advertising flyer, circa 1990 or 1991.

Lynn Thompson has come up with plenty of firsts for Cold Steel over the years, but the use of these particular terms is not among them.

-Steve​

 

[jlauffer]

Touche

 

[KenHash]

Thanks for that. I had in fact heard of the term "rolled edge" used elsewhere. I could be wrong but I think I saw the same usage of "rolled edge" to mean convex edge in an early 1990s AG Russell catalog. You're right that it does pop up. But I do believe that in today's knife world if I say "rolled edge" most people will think I need to sharpen my knife, rather than a convex edge. Still I agree, CS's use isn't wrong.

As for the Aus8 issue, the 1991 Kershaw catalog pictured shows the correct use; "AUS Series (8A and 6A)".
The terms Aus-8 and 8A, as well as Aus-6 and 6A, according to the manufacturer of the steel, is correct.
Aus8A is not.
But that catalog suggests the possibility that the term AUS8A came about as an abbreviated form of "AUS Series 8A".
It's just that the steel maker doesn't use it to describe their product.
But clearly the Aristocrat catalog shows that CS was not the only maker using the incorrect term.
But in the 1980s CS was a knife world leader so I'm not surprised others would follow suit.

 

[Hermit_Knight]

Ahh, you gentlemen forced me into my archives in order to dig out some history for you. The use of the term "rolled edge" to refer to a convex blade grind has been common in the knife industry for many years. Here is an image of grind descriptions from the Gun Digest Book of Knives from 1974, long before Cold Steel existed.

Here also is a quote from page 67 of Greg Walker's 1993 book Battle Blades, in which he used the term to refer to the grind on an SOG.

I can't quite explain the use of the term "cantle." Merriam-Webster defines it as "a segment cut off or out of something," so the term may be referring to the use of the secondary bevel, meaning that the secondary bevel is cut off of the primary bevel to form the cutting edge. A second possibility is that they meant "canted," since the verb "cant" means "to bevel; to form an oblique surface upon."


As for the use of the term "AUS 8A," that also is not original or unique to Cold Steel. Other companies have used that name for their steel over the years, whether or not it is correct technically. Here is a clip from a 1991 Kershaw catalog.

And here is a description for an Aristocrat knife from an advertising flyer, circa 1990 or 1991.

Lynn Thompson has come up with plenty of firsts for Cold Steel over the years, but the use of these particular terms is not among them.

-Steve​

I never knew that’s what a hollow grind looked like, no wander they cut so good.

 

[Hermit_Knight]

Are there any advantages to a hollow grind over a v grind or Sabre grind on say a 6 inch blade. I have a new srk hollow ground and an aus 8 v ground one I’m just interested in the difference cheers guys.

 

[DDDYLN]

Here's the more important question to me. Everyone needs at least 1 quality stainless steel knife. Are Cold Steel San Mai 3 knives better than 440C, AUS-8A, or 9Cr18Mov? If they are, I'd say it's worth the extra $50 to get a San Mai 3 Cold Steel Recon Tanto, over one of the Chinese fixed blades made with those stainless steels. What does everyone think?

 

[strideruser]

Here's the more important question to me. Everyone needs at least 1 quality stainless steel knife. Are Cold Steel San Mai 3 knives better than 440C, AUS-8A, or 9Cr18Mov? If they are, I'd say it's worth the extra $50 to get a San Mai 3 Cold Steel Recon Tanto, over one of the Chinese fixed blades made with those stainless steels. What does everyone think?

Yes San Mai 3 are much better IMHO. Get a SM3 Recon Tanto and you wont regret it!

 

[DDDYLN]

Thanks for the input. I think the San Mai 3 CS Recon Tanto is going to be my Christmas gift to myself. . They're currently $100+change. I'm hoping the price will drop a bit after Christmas.