The Carbon Fiber Sebenza is a standard Sebenza 21 with a side of black weave carbon fiber handle on the front - with a full integral lock titanium on the locking side. This reduces the weight significantly, without compromising on the strength. The carbon fiber and damascus sebenza is bank vault solid. This is a knife that really needs to be held to be appreciated. It is lighter in the hand - yet the carbon fiber is incredibly rigid and true. Chris Reeve Knives fully machines and laps the lightly textured carbon fiber scales to make sure the tolerances are up to their high standards. The stainless Chad Nichols raindrop pattern damascus blade matches up great with the carbon fiber handle scale. Blue anodized titanium thumb stud, lanyard bead, and lanyard pin spacer. Extremely smooth opening and closing.||||||||||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||Chris Reeve Knives||||0||~~|^^|damascuscare||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/how-to-care-for-a-damascus-steel-knife-70.jpg|||||| How to Care for a Damascus Steel Knife||newitem351374828||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||How to Care for a Damascus Steel Knife||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||by Larry Connelley
If you have a Damascus steel blade knife, you have a knife blade with unique beauty. With its historical reputation as the metal used for the best swords over hundreds of years and its distinctive wavy design, Damascus steel is a beauty to behold. So with that quality blade--especially one that has intricate etchings--comes special care. Here are our tips on how to care for a Damascus steel knife, in order for it to maintain its beauty and use.
1. Lubricate carbon steel Damascus blades.
The pattern in damascus forged completely through the entirety of the blade. The steel's unique pattern is only truly revealed with etching an acid wash during manufacturing. This etching causes the different oxidation levels to show dark (oxidized) and light/shiny patterns on the blade (resisting oxidation).
Most hand forged damascus blades are made of high carbon steel, which means that they have a relatively low amount of chromium in the steel. Carbon steel and carbon steel damascus can rust when not cared for properly. You will need to make sure the blade remains clean and dry in order to prevent rust or discoloration.
After cleaning and drying your knife, you should lubricate it with a wax to prevent moisture from affecting the blade. We recommend Renaissance Wax (an archival-grade museum wax), because it will keep your knife rust-free and maintain its etched beauty.
Damascus blades can also be made of stainless steel. When a knife is made with steel carrying a chromium content of at least 11% it will be mentioned in the product specs as stainless. While stainless damscus steel can resist rust and will take less care, we recommend applying wax to any damascus blade to keep it looking at it's best.
2. Avoid abrasives.
Avoiding abrasives--rough cloths, metal polishes, steel wool, etc--is important to maintaining the look and quality of the blade, because if you do use an abrasive or metal cleaner it will remove the etched oxidation that you want on a damascus knife to show the pattern. Once the etch is significanly altered, we recommend sending your blade back to the maker for re-etching service.
3. Be mindful of when and where you use your Damascus blade.
A carbon steel damascus blade is especially susceptible to damage when used on acidic foods (fruits, for example), in wet, humid environments, and for field dressing game. These uses and environments can remove the etching of the blade.
When you do use damascus, remember to wash and dry it immediately, taking care to not rub the blade roughly. Using a microfiber or cotton cloth to dry it, the softer material will not wear the blade.
4. Store it properly to keep it rust-free.
When not in use, it's important to keep the Damascus steel knife in a dry interior environment, where it will not be affected by extreme moisture or temperature changes. After cleaning and waxing your knife, storing it in a box or padded zipper case, your knife will keep well.
When out in the field with your knife, make sure that you don't keep it in a wet environment for long periods of time. Don't store your damacus knife (or any knife for that matter) in a leather sheath - acids and chemicals are used to tan leather and can lead to oxidation over time due to the normal moisture found in the air.
In addition, keep an eye out for a wet handle: the moisture from the handle can also rust the blade, so keeping the entire knife dry is important. We strongly advise against using a dehumidifier bar if you are storing damascus knives with natural handle materials; especially in a closed safe or storage compartment. Extreme low humidity is a hazard for ANY natural handle material (woods, stag, etc) and will likely cause cracking or separation. Humidity does not affect synthetic handle materials.
By taking good care of your Damascus steel knife, your knife will last longer and maintain its unique look.
(feel free to link to this article if you found it helpful.)||||||||||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|s30vvss35vn||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/s30v-vs-s35vn-steel-differences-and-advantages-93.jpg||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/s30v-vs-s35vn-steel-differences-and-advantages-98.jpg|||| S30V vs S35VN Steel: Differences and Advantages||newitem354150980||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||S30V vs. S35VN Steel: Differences and Advantages of Each||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||By Larry Connelley
When looking at quality American-made knives, you'll notice that S35VN and S30V steel are two of the more popular steels for knife blades. Both S30V and S35VN steel are made with the same carbon and chrome content, and from various tests, both steels provide the same edge retention and corrosion resistance. While they have similar histories and composition, there are a few key differences that could affect performance for certain users.
CPM American Steels
Both S35VN and S30V steels were developed in a collaboration between Chris Reeve and Crucible Industries, a New York-based steel manufacturer, using Crucible Particle Metal (CPM) technology. CPM technology helps to make homogeneous steel by distributing carbides in the blade evenly. Carbides are the hard particles in steel that allow the blade to keep an edge. This high-end steel foundry process leads to superior stability, toughness and grind-ability with a cleaner finish than traditionally made steel. Particle metal steel manufacturing is only done by a handful of steel manufacturers around the world.
What is remarkable about the steels is that both were developed for the knife industry! Many of the other previous Crucible Particle Metal (CPM) steels were developed for the plastics manufacturing industry and other advanced manufacturing industries.
S30V and S35VN are each classified as a premium steel, as they offer an excellent combination of quality and affordability. Depending on the heat-treatment of the knife, you can expect knives made with one of these steels to have a Rockwell Hardness between 58 and 61. This makes each type a great steel for everyday use, especially in tough environments. The difference between the two is in the details.
S30V Steel
Introduced in 2001, S30 steel is made with 1.45% carbon, 4% vanadium, and 10.5% chromium carbide. This steel continues to be one of the best knife steels on the market for a wide range of knife uses and applications. Vanadium carbides are some of the most prized carbides for knives. Their carbides provide extreme hardness in the steel alloy matrix. This helps hard-use blades such as an S30V bowie knife retain their edge and resist corrosion. S30V is generally regarded as one of the best-value fine knife steels in the industry.
S35VN Steel
S35VN, first created in 2009, modified the formula of S30V by adding niobium to the vanadium and chromium carbide forming elements. The addition of niobium reflects the addition of N in the name of the steel. The specific formula for S35VN knife steel - aka the "ultimate mainstream steel" - is 3% vanadium, 1.4% carbon, 0.5% niobium, 2% molybdenum, and 10.5% chromium. This composition makes it tougher (resistance to edge chipping) without reducing the wear resistance (edge holding) of the steel. S35VN also has a finer grain structure than S30V. Yet it is easier to machine, grind and polish due to the substitution of niobium for a part of vanadium plus the addition of molybdenum. Because of these manufacturing features, knifemakers might choose to use S35VN rather than S30V from a process perspective and/or for an extreme-use fixed blade for slightly increased toughness.
Conclusion
A knife with a blade made with either S35VN or S30V is using a high-quality blade steel. Both are able to withstand long-term use. Even with their slight, technical differences, most knife-users will not likely notice any changes in performance between these two high-quality steels. However, extreme outdoorsmen and tactical users will feel more confident with an S35VN steel knife blade.
Value Added Article Produced by KnifeArt.com. If you enjoyed this article and it helps in your knife search, we would love to have you as our customer. Links and social media shares are also appreciated.||||||||||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|awbycurwil||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||||||||"A Workers View on Stabilization" by Curtis Wilson||awbycurwil||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||A Workers View on Stabilization By Curtis M Wilson||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||Stabilization according to Webster's is a substance added to another substance to prevent or retard an unwanted physical state; to become stable, or firm.
As a knifemaker stabilization of handle materials helps to maintain the natural color of the material being used as well as making it stronger. Whether using wood or other natural materials that swell, and shrink with normal pressure changes thus resulting in checks and/or cracks of the material being used. Also, with natural materials age as well as ultra-violet light such as sunlight will age, or change the color of many natural materials. Stabilization of handle materials will add weight to the handle material as well as making it harder, and less prone to any color change.
The Process of Stabilization:
1) Material is placed into an airtight container. 2) The stabilization material is added, (Note: You may need to weight down the material, I use small pieces of plain steel for this). 3) Create a vacuum of approximately a negative two (2) atmospheres or a negative thirty pounds per square inch (-30 psi), (Note: Initially when the vacuum is created the air will be pulled out of the handle material, and collect as foam at the top of the container). 4) Leave the material in the vacuum for approximately 12 hours. To do this clamp off the hose once the negative pressure has been achieved, turn off the vacuum pump. 5) After the allotted time release the vacuum pressure via the hose, and repeat item 4) for another 12 to 16 hours. After the allotted time remove the material from the container. Place the material on waxed paper, or freezer wrap to dry, (Note: Material should dry for a minimum of three days prior to use).
The Equipment:
Making the Vacuum Chamber
I've heard of all different types of containers used as vacuum chambers, from pressure cookers to glass jars. I use glass canning jars with glass lids, and rubber seals. I use a diamond bore cutting bit to cut through the lid, (see photo). When cutting the hole into the lid use dish washing soap as a lubricant or cutting fluid. With the lid braced on a wood block and a pad (a rubber mat pad works best to keep the lid from vibrating and possibly cracking). Drill the hole at the slowest possible speed. Once the hole is cut into the lid, insert the nipple assembly into the lid. Use the bottom of a plastic cup with a hole in it to build up epoxy around the nipple and the top of the lid. Once the epoxy is set on the top of the lid the same needs to be done on the inner lip on the inside of the lid.
The Safety Collection Jar
A second smaller jar needs to be made with two (2) nipple assemblies. This is a safety collection jar used to collect any excess stabilization fluid keeping it away from the compressor.||||||||http://knifeart.stores.yahoo.net/awbycurwil.html||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|carbyjosszil||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/caring-for-your-knife-by-joseph-szilaski-73.jpg||||||"Caring For Your Knife" by Joseph Szilaski||carbyjosszil||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||"Caring For Your Knife" by Joseph Szilaski||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||It is important that your knives are cared for correctly so that you can use them at their optimum performance each time and your investment will give you many years of service.
USE:
Custom knives are designed for sportsmen and collectors. The edge is designed for cutting, not hacking wood or prying bone. Throwing a knife, that was not designed for this purpose, may also cause damage. Speciality knives can be designed for this purpose.
STEEL:
All carbon and tool steel blades, and most damascus, will stain when cutting meat or other organic materials. This staining is due to the acid content and will not cause damagae to your blade. Stains can be removed by polishing.
If any rust appears, remove with a fine abrasive paper, or fine steel wool. With each use of your knife, wash clean and dry completely and lubricate.
STAINLESS STEELS:
Most stainless steels don't need much care. Just wash and keep dry.
HANDLE:
Natural woods benefit from an occasional rubbing with danish oil. Wipe off excess.
SHEATH:
Clean with leather soap. Do not use any oils on the leather, as this will soften the molded shape of the sheath.
STORAGE:
If you will not be using your knife for a period of time, remove it from the sheath. Leather contains acid that could stain your blade or excellerate rusting. Store in a display case or wrapped in a soft cloth.
SHARPENING:
All knives require sharpening after prolonged use. It is recommended that your blade be kept well honed at all times, a sharp knife is safer to use than a dull one.
CLICK HERE FOR ARKANSAS SHARPENING STONES
CLICK HERE FOR KNIFE CARE PRODUCTS||||||||http://knifeart.stores.yahoo.net/carbyjosszil.html||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|cybbypatcovi||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/cyber-blades-by-pat-covert-in-american-handgunner-106.jpg||||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/cyber-blades-by-pat-covert-in-american-handgunner-111.jpg||"Cyber Blades" By Pat Covert in American Handgunner||cybbypatcovi||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||"Cyber Blades" By Pat Covert from American Handgunner Magazine||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||KnifeArt.com offers the leading custom knivesonline, plus special limited editions from the top bladesmiths.
The Internet has proven to be lightning-in-a-bottle for many a savvy business. Where else can you get information to a customer so fast, so friendly and so cheap? The smart money recognized this early on, and many built their business from scratch in cyberspace. One such success story is that of KnifeArt.com.
KnifeArt.com is an Internet website devoted to selling high-quality custom knives of all types. The company is the brainchild of Larry Connelley, a young Arkansas native who forged his love of both fine custom knives and the Internet into a profitable cutlery business that sells literally hundreds of knives from today’s top knifemakers.
While most of his peers in their early twenties were slapping diapers on their first born or planning their next brewsky with the boys, Connelley was contemplating how to be an entrepreneur in the cutlery business. His game plan was not that of scads of knife purveyors before him— he wouldn’t be selling his wares at shows. Instead, Connelley went straight to the Web, launching KnifeArt.com at the tender age of 24.
I remember being referred to his site shortly after it went up. Knowing many of the major custom knife resellers personally, I had never met this new name to the game. I was, nonetheless, very impressed with the site.
The graphics were as slick as any I’d seen, the selection was incredible, and the list of makers read like the dean’s list of custom makers. The more I navigated the site, the more taken I became with the overall professionalism.
Southern Roots
Shortly thereafter, the editor of American Handgunner, Cameron Hopkins, introduced me to Larry Connelley at the 1998 Blade Show in Atlanta. One might expect a person who builds and maintains his own website to be somewhat of a techno-weenie, but not in Connelley’s case. He’s got the drawl and laid-back demeanor of a true Southerner, and his enthusiasm for knives rings through with unmistakable passion.
The roots of Connelley’s interest in knives goes back to his formative years as an Eagle Scout who spent much time backpacking and camping in the rough-and-tumble hills and dales of Arkansas. His main area of interest is Bowie knives, and the nice selection found on KnifeArt.com is well-represented by some of the nation’s top makers. His fondness for big camp knives, however, hasn’t stood in the way of his business sense. While KnifeArt.com sells knives from all categories of personal cutlery, Connelley’s big sellers are tactical folders and fixed blade knives. A quick glance at the sites offering readily confirms that Larry knows the big boys in the industry and that he gets a nice pick of their latest offerings.
A smart businessman, Connelley keeps his expansive selection of knives in a wide price range to keep his customers coming back for more. He attends many custom shows throughout the year solely for the purpose of buying knives for the KnifeArt.com and touching base with the knifemakers. Recently, he made a trip to South Africa to purchase knives from a growing number of hot makers.
On the site you’ll find an ample grouping a knives from both well-established names to those on the way up. Prices for a custom knife can range from as little as $150 for a good all around using knife all the way up to $3,500 for an exhibition grade fighter. The prices for a given maker’s knives are just the same if ordered direct from the source.
There are tacticals for all purposes as well. The range of combat folders is particularly impressive, and cyber customers can easily compare one knife to the next to determine their needs. In Connelley’s words, "My customers are passionate about a good knife. They love viewing my website, checking in often to see what I brought home from the latest show. I update the site frequently - as soon as I get new items in - so it’s like being able to attend a knife show whenever you want."
KnifeArt.com’s choices knifemakers includes names like Allen Elishewitz, Greg Lightfoot, Ernest Emerson, Kit Carson and the father/son team of Pat and Wes Crawford. To add a bit more spice to the equation, Connelley often offers exclusive knives from top artisan’s that can only be found on KnifeArt.com.
To make knife viewing and selection easier, Connelley has designed his site to be user-friendly. Customers can view knives by a given category or by knifemaker. Each individual knifemaker has his or her own page with, in most instances, a photo with biographical information and the knives available shown in thumbnail fashion with a basic description.
Knives can be instantly reserved via an e-mail link on the main page that can also serve for asking Connelley further questions about his offerings. Credit card transactions can be conducted through secure server or by telephone during normal weekday business hours. The only thing Larry hasn’t figured out how to do is allow the customer to handle the knife while shopping.
KnifeArt.com features custom knives from over 100 different knifemakers in a dozen different categories. The incredible selection, especially in the realm of tacticals, is certainly one of the best on the 'Net. Best of all, you can order a custom cutter from a top name in the industry and have it in a day or two as opposed to the lengthy wait often associated with high-demand knifemakers.||||||||http://knifeart.stores.yahoo.net/cybbypatcovi.html||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|difbyterprim||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/differential-heat-treating-by-terry-primos-71.jpg||||||"Differential Heat Treating" by Terry Primos||difbyterprim||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||PHOTO: A wavy clay temper line on a Steve Corkum "Persian".
What Is It?
It goes by many names, there is differential tempering, differential hardening, selective tempering, selective hardening, zone treating, soft-back draw, and the list goes on and on it seems. By whatever name is used, it means that the blade has been heat treated to have a hard cutting edge and a softer "springy" spine. There are a few different ways to achieve this, so the term I use depends on the process I used. More on this later.
What Are the Benefits?
A blade in which the spine has been hardened to a lesser degree than the cutting edge will exhibit a great deal of strength and flexibility and still have exceptional cutting ability. This is assuming of course that the heat treating was properly done.
This is quite beneficial to larger blades which must be able to handle a lot of abuse. Prime candidates would be a bowie or camp knife which might be used for chopping up firewood, clearing a path through the woods, etc. This is also good for thinner blades that require quite a bit of flexibility. Some knifemakers do differential heat treating on all their blades.
One of the performance tests for a prospective Journeyman or Master Smith in the American Bladesmith Society is the bend test. The smiths blade is clamped vertically in a vice and must be bent 90 degrees without breaking. At first one might think that all you'd have to do is temper the entire blade to a spring temper. Well, the problem with this is that the cutting edge would be too soft to pass the cutting tests. Prior to the bend test the blade must cleanly sever a one inch free hanging rope approximately six inches from the loose end, in one movement. Next it must be able to chop a 2x4 in half at least twice, with no edge damage, and still be able to shave hair from the applicant's arm. This is achieved by differential heat treatment.
How Is This Done?
There is more than one way to get the hard cutting edge and tough, springy back. To cover the whole spectrum I say that my blades have been differentially heat treated. To be more specific as to the method used, I use one of the terms mentioned above. Some of the methods, as well as the terms I use to describe the methods are listed below.
Differential Hardening
This is the term I use when the transition was performed at the hardening phase of heat treating. This would cover the edge quench, clay coating, and torch methods. It is not my intention to give a full course in heat treating, but here is a brief explanation of the three methods.
Edge Quench - With this method, the whole blade is brought to critical temperature, then the cutting edge only is placed horizontally in the quench medium, and carefully rocked upward toward the tip of the blade. The steel exposed above the quench line will cool more slowly and therefore reach a lesser degree of hardness.
Clay Coating - First the back of the blade is coated with clay or refractory cement. The blade is then brought up to critical temperature and placed in the quench medium. The portion of the blade which is coated will cool more slowly and reach a lesser degree of hardness.
Torch - The cutting edge is quickly brought to critical temperature with a torch and then placed in the quench medium. This method is usually only used on smaller blades because it is difficult to evenly achieve the proper temperature on the full length of a large blade.
Differential Tempering
This is the term I use when the transition was performed at the tempering phase of heat treating. That is, the blade is fully hardened, then tempered, and finally the spine is drawn back with a torch. This is often done with the cutting edge placed in a tray of cold water. The depth of the water is usually set from 1/3 to 1/2 the overall width of the blade. The spine is carefully drawn back with a "painting" action of the torch on the spine.
Closing Statements As previously stated, this was not intended to be a lesson in heat treating. I have just scratched the surface to give you an idea of what differential heat treating is, where its application is beneficial, and some of the methods used.||||||||http://knifeart.stores.yahoo.net/difbyterprim.html||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|evcusknifbyd||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||||||||"Evaluating A Knife" by Darrel Ralph||evcusknifbyd||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||Evaluating A Custom Knife by Darrel Ralph||||||Usually ships the same business day||0||1||1||0||||||||FOLDERS:
- Fit and finish inside and out. Look in the front end of the knife, at the stop area, and the linerlock ramp -- fit and finished? On a lockback, is the cam area and blade-end finished? Look inside, is the knife clean? What do you see?
- Test for any wobble of the blade at the pivot. This is often considered an important test of a folder's construction especially if it is knife which will see use. Take the pressure off the liner (or backspine for lockbacks) while the blade is in the fully opened position and wobble the blade. This is the only accurate test because if the liner or lock is engaged you can't tell if the blade pivot is precise. On autos you may find a very small amount of play while on a linerlock or most lockbacks there should be none that you can feel. However, pin-together lockback folders will have a small amount of blade wobble with no load on the lock. This is due to the fact that there are no washers, and a zero-tolerance metal-to-metal fit will "gall" or bind. Generally the customer expects a very light & smooth action. Most expect the blade to fall when the knife is held upside down and the lock released, yet to still have minimal blade play, thus making use of a washer impossible. So makers have had to adjust their knives accordingly. As for linerlocks, they can and should be made with near zero side-play given the availability of the synthetic washer material we have today. One thing to take into consideration when looking at a previously owned knife is that the former owner may have loosened the pivot screw so they could "sling" the blade open, thus compromising the makers original "specs" for blade play.
- Does the knife open smoothly? A good pivot opens smoothly, with very little friction (given the appropriate tension adjustment at the pivot); there is no wobble and no "ragged" feeling to the motion of the blade.
- Detent (linerlocks). Is the knife blade detenting? Does it stay shut under normal usage?
- The blade should be positioned so it is centered with respect to the frame when it is closed.
- Lockbacks should stay shut when hung upside down. The degree of stiffness in the opening action is a personal preference and needs to be considered when judging the knife. In addition lockback knives, unless they are designed especially to not do so, should have an almost seamless fit where the blade meets the backspine (locking bar) when they are opened.
- Blade grinds can be another area to evaluate closely. In the choil area check that the grind radius matches on both sides of the blade. Hold the knife up to the light with the edge towards you and see if the grind lines match as they come down from the blade. Occasionally you'll see that the choil grinds will match but the radii sweeping from the grind downward won't. Also look at the tip. See if the grinds are the same and the blade is straight and the clip matches on both sides.
- Liner lock-up and fit. For lockbacks does the lock wobble up and down? Will either unlock with pressure on the handle? Accidental unlocking is of more importance to a "using" knife than for one which is intended as a display piece.
- Beware the term "looks like it will fail" when discussing the lockup of a liner. Locks have been known to fail that are on the left edge of the blade, on the center of the blade or all the way across the blade. Assuming the lock engages the blade by at least the thickness of the liner then there are two things that make for a positive lockup: (1) correct tension on the lock , and (2) a 90 degree angle on the lock face & proper angle on the blade. If these two things are correctly done the lock will hold, if not, the lock will fail no matter where it sits on the blade. So the only way to know is to apply pressure to the blade and see if it holds. Every customer has a preference as to where they want to see the lock.
- Check for sharp edges and finish of the screw slots.
- How clean and oil-free is the knife?
Fixed blades:
- How well is the guard fitted to the handle? Is it square with respect to the blade?
- Check the blade grinds as above. Daggers are often challenging in this regard.
- Balance. Balance is especiually important in a "using" knife and strongly contributes to the effectiveness of the knife (or sword). Many believe the balance point should be around the guard while, for swords, from the guard to 10 inches max. in front of the guard depending on length. If you are having a knife ( or sword) made then make sure you discuss with the maker your preferred balance position and whether he, the maker, would make any suggestions based on his experience.
On Both:
- Inspect the steel for flaws. A hand-rubbed finish should be a continuous set of lines with no fuzzy brush marks. Machine satin-finish should be consistent over the entire surface. In no case should you be able to see grind marks underneath the finish.
- Design: Is the knife a picture or does it have stopping place to the eye? Perhaps I can explain this a little. Many people see a knife-maker as just a guy who makes knives. But to make a knife where the "lines" flow artistically requires more than than just the normal "logical" thought that we use for most things. I found a book which left an indelible impression on me and let me succeed in learning to draw. The book is "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain : A Course in Enhancing Creativity and Artistic Confidence by Betty Edwards (ISBN: 0874775132)". There are two aspects to appreciating the design of the knife: one is the overall "picture" the knife makes while the other is the individual components and lines which draw your eye from one component to another. With a well-designed knife these two aspects work in harmony to form the overall view of the knife. With some knives a technique I like to use is to hold the knife upside down. This way, if the knife doesn't "look" like a knife, you fool your brain into not looking at the knife logically but rather artistically, as an object. Do the lines guide your eye to the different elements of the knife? Do all the elements come together into a single pleasing, picture? If this is true then the design has been well thought out and well executed.
- Check the blade grind thickness from side to side. The edge angle should be consistent from side to side. The point should be very sharp with no burrs on the top or sides of the edge. There are several types of grinds and each should be evaluated individually. Hollow grinds should be thick enough to make for a strong cutting edge . Flat grinds should be flat with a small "apple seed", i.e. a convex shape, on the edge. This keeps the edge strong. Another grind is the saber grind which is a convex-type grind . This is the strongest type of grind, for example some swords and most axes use this type of grind, but the drawback is this grind is difficult (impossible) to sharpen by hand without flattening it. To produce a true convex grind requires a belt-grinder with the belt loose (slack). The easiest grind to sharpen is the hollow grind but is the weakest of the three. I am a believer in the flat grind. It's in the middle of the other two and serves well for the collector, however, the grind should meet the requirements (aesthetic or practical) the owner has for the knife.
- Has the maker chosen a Damascus steel for the knife? There are two main things to consider when evaluating Damascus steel: the overall pattern/appearance and whether there are serious flaws in the welds. If you like the pattern and the way it is finished then small welding flaws should be overlooked since no piece is going to be flaw-free. Specialty Damascus can be expensive to make; a maker can easily spend a hundred hours turning 7 pounds of various metals into 8 ounces of finished Damascus. So don't be surprised when high prices are being asked for steels from well-known leaders in the field or for particularly exotic or work-intensive patterns. Since the appreciation of a particular piece of Damascus is so personal it is hard to give guidelines beyond "that which appeals to your particular taste". In general the steel should not appear "muddy", that is, the pattern and the etching process (if any) chosen should leave the piece with a crisp look. Some people prefer a subtle pattern, others prefer a flashy one. Some examples of well-known makers of quality and/or cutting-edge work are: Don Fogg, Steve Schwarzer, Hank Knickmeyer, Barry Gallagher, Shane taylor, Rick Dunkerly. When looking at mokume (which is a damascus made from non-ferrous metals) watch for flaking and peeling of the layers. Several patterns are available so, once again, it is up to the collector to determine what they like as far as appearance goes.
- Choice of materials: Are these the right materials? Do they go together well? Evaluating the material chosen for the handle and how well this fits with the overall view of the knife is, again, a personal preference. In my view the materials chosen for the knife should go well together, i.e. fit with the motif of the knife and, for me, add a bit of zing. I do not use many woods, but when I do I prefer burled types if they are available. As for synthetic types of materials; I find they all cost about the same so I am not partial to any particular one. For a utility type knife, G10, micarta and carbon fiber all make great handles.
Pearl: there are many types and grades of pearl. All pearl should be skin free (the dark scaly material, on the ends mostly); look for cracks and worm holes. Most types of pearl will show a "shimmer" effect which is often appealing in the finished handle.
Black-lip pearl should be black with cobalt-blue, red, purple and a small amount of white for colors. Some light spots are acceptable but, in general, it should be mostly a variety of colors.
Gold-lip pearl should be gold with very few light spots. The best gold-lip I have seen is either solid gold or gold with some other color present. The colored type seems to be a bit lighter.
White pearl, in the presentation grade, is usually very white, sometimes with clouds. I prefer the type with some color over the pure white type since I feel it gives the knife a better over all look. This type is usually grade A without cracks.
- Blade-to-handle ratio. Does the blade look proportional to the handle?
- How does it feel in the hand?
- Is the blade sharp?
- Examine the file work (if any). It may look good at first glance but after further inspection it may be way off. Does it have a theme? For some knives the maker will carry a theme throughout different aspects of the knife's decoration (including the file work).
- Blade heat treat. Primarily one has to go by the knife-maker's reputation, but, if you own the knife you can test the edge using a small brass rod. This description is courtesy of Steve Harvey: I use Wayne Goddard's brass rod test. I press the edge sideways against the side of a 0.25" brass rod. If the edge is properly tempered, you should be able to see it flex around the rod, and return to straight without deforming (too soft) or chipping (too hard). I learn a lot about the steel from sharpening also. A burr should not form too easily, or be too large. Also, if the burr is very elastic, and tends to just flop side to side rather than getting harder to feel as you use lighter strokes or finer grits, that is a bad sign. Usually this is after the sale, but if you paid $400 for a blade that won't cut or hold an edge worth a darn, it will give you something concrete to tell the maker.
A word on sharp. A blade does not have to shave to be sharp. A meat cutting edge is better if it is just at the point where it's biting but may not yet shave. It will cut longer this way. I have done tests that prove that a knife sharpened like this cuts longer than one that is shaving sharp. I am not discounting the shaving edge. But a knife should be sharpened for the job it is meant to do. A dagger is meant to puncture not cut paper etc.
||||||||http://knifeart.stores.yahoo.net/evcusknifbyd.html||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|filbycurmwil||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/file-work-patterns-by-curtis-m-wilson-71.jpg||||||"File Work Patterns" by Curtis M Wilson||filbycurmwil||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||File Work Patterns: By Curtis M. Wilson (click to enlarge)||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||File work has been used for many years and by many knife makers to enhance their work. The following are a few original patterns and some of my own. One of the best things that I have found to use as a practice item is aluminum. Use either a blue or black magic marker or metal blue die-chem. Then you can lay out the pattern. To lay out the pattern I use a flexible metal 6 inch ruler and a scribe.
Patterns can be of a geometric type or of a specific item. I have found that jewelers files work well but must be of a good quality, also chain saw files work very well for the round cuts and they come in two sizes. I have read many articles on file work, as well as demonstrated file work during a class given by: Johnny Stout and Harvey Dean. During the class I actually demonstrated file work doing a Wrap-Around Rope pattern on the spine of a folder blade thus no need for a nail nick as the bottom edges of the rope acted as a nail nick for either the right or left hand.
Some of the files used must have one thing done to them to work best and that is to actually grind smooth one side of them: 1) the triangle file - one side flat, 2) the flat file - one side edge flat, 3) the square file - one side flat. -(You will notice as you cut that the edge against the flat or smooth side will cut cleaner and quicker.) Also you will need to cut away from some of the points without actually cuffing into the point of its origin and the flat side of the file will allow you to do just that.
The following is a list of patterns and of the files used to make them: # 1) Tusk Walking (A)1/2 Round File or an Oval File; (B) Triangle File with one side smooth; (C) Flat File or the flat of a Triangle File. First cut Is A, Second cut is B, third cut Is C.
# 2) Horns Walking (D) 1/2 Round File; (E & F) Triangle File. First cut is D, Second cut is E, Third cut is F.
# 3) Split Horns (G) 1/2 Round File or Oval File; (H & 1) Triangle File; (J) Oval File. First cut is G, Second cut is H, Third cut is 1, Forth cut is J.
# 4) Claws (K) Round File, 1/2 Round File, or an Oval File; (L) Triangle File. First cut is K, Second cut is L1, Third cut is L2.
# 5) Arrow Heads (M & 0) Triangle File; (N) Oval File - Oval Edge. First cut is N, Second cut is M, Third cut is 0.
# 6) Rope (P) Round or Oval File; (Q) Triangle File. First cut Is P, Second cut is Q. The Rope pattern is basically an elongated S cut, then another one connecting the two points, with a thin cut connecting the two points to give it the braided or thread appearance
# 7) Wave-Broken Double Cut (R) Oval File or 1/2 Round File may be used; (S) Triangle File. First cut is R, Second cut is S.
# 8) Double cut (Either alternating file cuts or the same for both sides.) (T) Triangle File; (U) Round or Oval File.
# 9) Wave - Saw Tooth M Round File. Only cut even side cuts.
# 10) Double Wave (W) 1/2 Round File or Oval File. Only cut odd side cuts (alternating).
# 11) Large Wave - Broken Double Cut. See #7.
# 12) Bat Ears Wave. Modified # 11. *
#13) Modified Bat Ears Wave. Modified # 12.
# 14) Zulu Spear (I) Triangle File; (g) Sharp .V File; (h) Oval File; 0) round File. Note the Sharp V file is a very thin V-shaped file with a smooth back (it only has one cutting edge), sort of a flat triangle file with two sides smooth.
#15) Vine Patterns like the in the side illustration will normally move toward the tip or the point of the blade. They can also be used with engraving and scrimshaw, to give an overall scene. Which is what I have done here with this sketch of a work in progress.||||||||http://knifeart.stores.yahoo.net/filbycurmwil.html||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|thevbycurmwi||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/the-vacuum-compressor-by-curtis-m-wilson-107.jpg||||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/the-vacuum-compressor-by-curtis-m-wilson-112.jpg||"The Vacuum Compressor" by Curtis M. Wilson||thevbycurmwi||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||"The Vacuum Compressor" by Curtis M. Wilson||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||The vacuum comes from a medical suction machine, or a vacuum pump available from, "Surplus Center, 1015 West "0" Street, P.O. Box-82209, Lincoln, NE 68501-2209; Ph # (402)-474-5198. This is the only place that I've been able to find this item. (Note: for the purchase of a medical suction machine you will need to have a Physicians Order).
The Stabilization Solution
Many different knifemakers use different materials for stabilization, and most Professional Stabilizers will just tell you that it's different polymers, if you get any answer from them at all.
The following are some of the products that I have used: 1) Thompson’s Water Seal 2) A Quality Sanding Sealer (water, oil, or acrylic based) 3) Polyurethane (clear-gloss, or semi-gloss) 4) Sodium Silicate (also known as liquid glass, this is a water base and will need to be thinned down to be used.
I prefer Sanding Sealer (acrylic, or water based) and Polyurethane for the wood burls and the softer woods. The reason for this is that it seems to fill into the wood and make it harder than the Water Seal. If you are just going to waterproof then use the Thompson’s Water Seal.
Items Not To Be Stabilized
Cocobolo, or any other wood that has a high natural oil base. The reason for not stabilizing these types of materials is that it will in most cases draw out the oil under pressure and discolor the wood or other material in the vacuum.
I hope that this helps in some way to answer some of the questions concerning stabilization of handle materials.||||||||http://knifeart.stores.yahoo.net/thevbycurmwi.html||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|knife-steel-interview||article||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/ultimate-knife-steel-interview-with-jim-beckman-of-crucible-industries-141.jpg||||||'Ultimate Knife Steel Interview' with Jim Beckman of Crucible Industries||||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||||||||||0||0||0||0||||||||||||||||||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|groomsmen||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/4-great-groomsmen-knives-gift-pocket-knives-for-other-occasions-68.jpg||||||4 Great Groomsmen Knives & Gift Pocket Knives for Other Occasions||newitem353796173||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||4 Great Groomsmen Knives & Gift Pocket Knives for Other Occasions||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||Sometimes it is difficult to find perfect gifts for people. You want to get them something they want that they can call their own. Fortunately, compared to other tasks, giving bachelor gifts is simple. If you screw up, no one will care. Good friends do not demand good gifts, but they do deserve them. Your friends earned them. You do not have to spend lots of money, but you do need to think outside the box. Here are 4 great pocket knives for bachelor gifts that they will love.
Benchmade 482 Megumi
The Benchmade 482 Megumi makes a great gentleman’s knife with a slim profile and classic design. Benchmade's Nak-Lok mechanism holds the 530V stainless steel clip point plain edge blade securely with a quick, one-handed thumb stub opener. The handle sports a smooth carbon fiber and cocobolo wood with a MIM filed back spacer for a polished feel and finish.
Benchmade 555HG Mini-Griptilian Pocket Knife Knife
This rugged knife exists for the tough jobs. The benchmade 555HG contains a durable 154CM stainless steel blade that can withstand use and abuse. The blade resists corrosion ensuring that it will last you a very long time. The stylish Valox stainless steel handle supports a secure, comfortable grip, an ambidextrous AXIS® locking mechanism, and a pocket clip.
Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 21 Folding Knife
This high-end, award-winning, steel blade knife will set you back $350, but it is well worth the price. The Small Sebenza 21 is no starter knife. It is something you aspire, pine over, and then climatically acquire. Just carry this all time classic, and people know. It is a must have for any knife collector. The Sebenza 21 comes with a titanium handle with a high quality stainless steel blade.
Zero Tolerance 0450 Flipper
The compact, fast opening Zero Tolerance 0450 sports a top grade, razor-sharp, S35VN stainless steel blade. The $160, light-weight, titanium frame lock knife opens smoothly with its KVT ball-bearing opening system and built-in flipper. The American-made 0450 offers excellent value and style, making it a great choice for everyday carry.
Value Added Article Produced by KnifeArt.com. If you enjoy the article and it helps in your knife search, we would love to have you as our customer. Links and social shares also appreciated.
© Copyright - All rights reserved||||||||||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|carbonfiber1||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/choosing-a-knife-carbon-fiber-handles-54.jpg||||||[Article] All About Carbon Fiber on Knives - KnifeArt.com||newitem355107496||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||by Larry Connelley
When it comes to choosing a knife, the type of material used for the handle is just as important to the buyer as the type of blade. Knives with carbon fiber handles are one option you may consider if you are looking for a strong knife with a unique look and feel.
Organic materials like wood can shift, crack or break under pressure, while stronger materials like metals often lead to heavy knives that are difficult to use. To maximize their handles' form and function, many manufacturers are turning to carbon fiber - a great choice for many reasons.
What it is and How it's Made:
Carbon fiber manufacturing is a complex and technical process. In basic terms, it a synthetic material that is created from the precursor polyacrylonitrile material - 90% of the time. Manufactures draw precursor material into long strands. These strands are then sealed off from oxygen and placed under extreme heat. The heat purifies the material of the non-carbon atoms in a process called oxidization, tightening the bond between the remaining carbon strands. Once the material is fully through the oxidation process, it picks up its recognizable black color. The result is thin, black, hair-like fibers. The carbon fibers are then woven together into a thread and then again into textile-like sheets.
To become usable as a solid workable material, sheets of woven fiber are impregnated with resin under high heat and pressure. The fibers can then be laid over a mold and coated with resin under heat and pressure.
Why It is Ideal For Knife Handles
Carbon fiber is ideal for knife handles for several reasons. For starters despite being extremely lightweight, it is also very durable. As one of the hardest artificial substances available, carbon fiber is a rigid material for manufacturing high-end knife handles. A carbon fiber knife handle can withstand great pressure without breaking or flexing. Because the material is so lightweight, you will enjoy high blade-to-weight ratio when carrying the knife.
Additionally, many prefer carbon fiber handles because of the artistic qualities. The fibers reflect light, giving each knife a distinct, decorative look. Manufacturers use carbon fiber in a wide range of industries including aerospace industry, computer parts, medical industry, bicycle frames, fishing poles, extreme watches, and high-end auto industry. Anywhere you need an extremely strong material with lightweight you will likely find carbon fiber.
Strength and Durability
In terms of strength, carbon fiber is one of the strongest materials used today for knife handles. It is much stiffer than steel, and five times stronger. In terms of durability, it will last a lifetime of heavy use.
The Down Side Of Carbon Fiber
While the material is very versatile, it is also much harder to work with than G10 or Micarta for the maker and significantly more expensive. The cost is due to the labor-intensive manufacturing process of carbon fiber.
Value Added Article Produced by KnifeArt.com. If you enjoy the article and it helps in your knife search, we would love to have you as our customer. Links and social shares also appreciated.
Copyright 2018- All rights reserved||||||||||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|anti||item.||knifeart-page||knifearticles||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/the-how-and-why-of-anodized-titanium-treatments-55.jpg||||||[Article] Anodized Titanium Treatments on Knives - KnifeArt.com||newitem356747408||knifearticles > ||Knife Knowledge Hub > ||||||||Anodized Titanium Treatments on Knives||||||Usually ships the same business day||1||1||1||0||||||||Titanium is a wonderful metal, with the highest strength to density ratio of all metals. This lightweight strength is what makes it so perfect for spacecraft, aircraft, and of course, knives.
Why are anodized titanium treatments done?
With anodized titanium treatments, the metal becomes an artistic canvas for the metalsmith. This treatment permanently colorizes the metal without the need to apply a coating or plating. It provides a wide variety of colors from which to choose, including yellow, green, pink, gold and blue.
How does it work?
Anodizing takes advantage of the oxidizing properties of titanium. When the surface of titanium is exposed to electricity or heat it forms a thin, oxidized layer. This layer has prismatic, color-changing properties similar to that of a soap bubble. The color of the layer varies according to its thickness.
Two types of anodizing - Here's a look a two processes that really make the metal have a beautiful finish:
Electrical Anodizing
This method works well for producing a single, evenly-toned color. The treatment uses direct current of at least 80 volts and between 1 and 3 amps. The titanium piece hangs in a bath of conductive liquid connected to a power source by a strip of conductive metal. Current is applied to the metal until it changes to the desired color. The color varies according to the amount of amperage and voltage being used.
Since titanium is reactive, a thin layer forms on the surface of the metal. Even though this layer is translucent, it looks like different colors because of how it refracts light. This electric method creates a very uniform color change across the surface, and you can cover areas you don't want to change to create patterns.
Heat coloration
The reaction is identical, but the reaction is triggered by heat instead of electrical current. Heat anodizing is less precise than the electrical method, but it can produce more complex results, such as gradients or multicolored effects. However, this is more useful for creating swirls or rainbow patterns. The first step is to completely clean and dry the piece, then a flame is applied directly to the metal until it changes color. Any dust or fingerprints will leave imperfections in the coloring. The color can be changed at specific spots by bringing a hotter flame in closer.
Are there any drawbacks?
Anodized surfaces can scratch during everyday carry when contacting other objects, and the color may be altered by contact with skin oil. Also, heat-anodized titanium may be more vulnerable to wear than electrically-anodized titanium. However, anodizing actually increases the resistance of titanium to corrosion and wear, and the oxidized layer can hide scratches.
All-in-all, titanium anodizing treatments can be regarded as a way of enhancing the quality and beauty of knives.||||||||||||||||0||||||||||New||||||||||||||0||~~|^^|welfromknif||item.||knifeart-page||index||https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/knifeart/about-us-71.jpg||||||About Us||welfromknif||||||||||||Thanks for visiting!||||||Usually ships the same business day||0||1||1||0||||||||Online since 1998, KnifeArt.com is the internet's fine knife destination. All of the brands and makers that we carry are "best of the best" in the knife industry. Regardless of price, our products represent the highest value and workmanship in their category. Most of our products are proudly made in America.
As a customer, you will receive prompt service, a solid guarantee, fast delivery, and secure online ordering. We have sold thousands of knives to customers all around the United States and the world. The core of our business comes from loyal and repeat buyers and we want to be your first choice for a high-quality knife. Our business has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. If you are not happy with your purchase or have concerns please personally call us at 1-800-564-3327.
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