Who is making knives in 52100?

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Sep 22, 2000
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I'm interested in knives made from 52100, custom or production, fixed or folding, but preferably with a convex edge.

Anyone have some recommendations?
 
mark nevling at burr oak knives makes nice knives with 52100.bladeart usually has some of his knives.
 
In custom, quite a few use 52100. Ed Fowler, Bill Burke and Bill Buxton are a few that are on this forum. They do fixed blades. I am not sure how many, but I would bet that a lot of smiths at least offer 52100 as an optional steel in the knives they make. I know that Rick Dunkerly and Ed Caffery are included in this group.

In folders, makers Ed Caffery, Steve Dunn, Kirk Rexroat, Darrel Ralph and Rick Dunkerly are some of the ones that forge blades of 52100.

In factory knives I know of Marble's and Blackjack. These are both makers of fixed blade knives.
 
In addition to the smiths named above, PJ Tomes does both folding knives and fixed blades in 52100. His Scagel style fixed blades come with a convex edge. He prefers flat grinds for smaller blades.

52100 is reputed to be a tempermental steel requiring special heat treatment techniques. Make sure you select a maker who knows what he is doing. Any of the ABS members mentioned above can make you a fine blade.
 
I have the pleasure of owning, carrying, and using a large Scagel style camp knife made by my friend, PJ Tomes.

I have chopped with it, sliced with it, thrown it (into a soft Archery target to ensure I could do it), and carried it concealed.

It has performed flawlessly...and it's made from 52100.
 
I am about to make a couple of folders out of 52100, I just surface ground the stock. They will be differentially heat treated to see that great temper line.
Chuck
 
Marble's is the production company that uses 52100 for their knives. Also, the new Blackjack Trail Guide is made from 52100.
 
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