When the Zaan's mystery steel is released...

Artfully Martial

Artfully Martial

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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...will all Zaan's receive it, or will it be an option on future Zaans? If the latter, how expensive?

I'm thinking about buying a zaan to take with me to vietnam in two weeks, but if it's going to receive a "free" upgrade in a month I'd just rather wait.
 
I don't think anybody's saying anything until it's official. :)

My guess is that the new steel is announced at Blade and will come standard on the large and newly-announced small starting in the fall. I have no insider knowledge of any kind; this is only my personal prediction.
 
Dang, that really undermines my current buying confidence.

I guess I'll just have to wait until I'm back from Nam and see what happened. I just can't risk 400+ dollars. I know the mystery thing adds to the allure of it, but I really wish I had some facts so I could make an educated buying decision.
 
You could always buy one now and have the enjoyment and use out of it until they finally release the Umnum in the mystery steel--if ever.

Then, if they finally do release it in the mystery steel and you like that steel better, you could sell your current Umnum and buy the new one for a reasonable trade-up cost.
 
It's definitely an option, but I imagine the value of existing zaans will drop tremendously if a free steel upgrade is offered in the short term. The long term, I imagine, will be less altered in the sense that it'll already have some wear and it'll probably go to someone that wants a CRK but can't quite afford a new one (and therefore, isn't quite as picky about steels).

I would normally follow your advice, if the mystery steel was at some uncertain date, but knowing that the launch will probably be just a month away, I can wait a couple months to pick one up.

Any theories as to what steel this'll be?
 
I can completely understand that line of thinking, but I have a feeling that even if the new steel is introduced at Blade, I think it might be a while before it starts actually making it into the knives. I don't remember how the BG42 to S30V change happened, but I am sure that would be a good guide.

As for the steel itself, my guess would be a totally new "custom" steel created by Crucible with input from Chris much like was the case with S30V.
 
My Um may as well be made of mystery steel. I haven't sharpened it since I got it. Still has a factory shaving sharp edge and I've used it quite a bit. :) Disclaimer: It does say S30v on the card, though. :)
 
Oh, I love S30V, and I'm not a steel snob (honest), it's more like, if I can get more for "free," I will.

When they announced that S30V would be replacing BG42, how long did it take for that to actually see normal production at normal sebbie prices? If it was a year or so, I might go for it--I don't want to wait that long.
 
Yeah, I'd prefer the latest and greatest too all things being equal, but I'm just waiting for the small version in any/either steel.
 
I doubt that the mystery steel will be standard on production knives as the only 2 made were 2k dollar knives.
 
bigmark408 said:
I doubt that the mystery steel will be standard on production knives as the only 2 made were 2k dollar knives.
Click to expand...

But weren't they also the only decorated Zaan's made to date?

Who knows what will happen with a steel change, BG-42 sebs are still sought after. With the OPR going away the entire line (GB, Pacific, 21's and Zaan's) might change over.
 
I doubt they would announce this mystery steel and build the hype just to give it away for free. I would bet that the mystery steel will be made available ona production level, but with a $50-$100 price increase forthe knives that have it. I personally would imagine it will be an option, and the standard knives with S30V will remain at the same price they are at now.

However, this is all just my speculation and opinion.
 
I think if we look to the past as our guide, when CRK determines that they are going with a new steel for their folding knives, they implement it across the board as the new standard steel and phase out the previous steel. To my knowledge, they have never offered a blade steel option for folding knives.
 
I can tell you guys this much....i was dissapointed when the mystery steel was not announced at shot as promised.

I know that the maker of the steel had not yet named the steel and it was still being tested.

Keep in mind that Nitinol is very expensive and i am hoping that the mystery steel is also in the same catagory as the other "super steels".

I'm not sure what CRK has in mind but if they offer this new steel in productions ($400 range)...i will buy several. :)
 
One small note, CRK does often offer damascus customization as an alternative to S30V, but this is of course, somewhat different than just offering another stainless option since damascus is a very unique option.
 
Could one imagine crk bringing an all new steel out with Crucible? Something to rival Bg-42, A2, D2 or M-2 or so? I am not that big a steel junkie, but know these steels are being sought after more and more.
 
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