I was sifting through Latrobe catalog again, and suddenly realized it's not just similar, but pretty much identical with Crucible CPM154 steel group(ATS-34, RWL-34 etc.) Moved into correct reference group.
Monday, February 27, 2012 13:34:04
Thanks to TK59 of kitchenknifeforums.com. Mn content was listed as 075 instead of 0.75, the dot was missing, making it 75% ;) That'd be a strange steel. Knife review search engine is completed, but I have one issue to resolve before publishing it. Sadly zendserver and its debugger decided to get cranky on me today, had to reinstall everything, including eclipse, still some weird problems with debugging. Hopefully tomorrow it'll be over with.
Monday, February 27, 2012 00:03:35
I was surprised myself to find out that there are already more than 230 knife reviews on my site. Even though I think they are grouped pretty well, by maker, by type and by steel, I think dedicated review search engine will be handy. It won't search file contents, but it will be bale to find reviews by knife parameters, such as maker, knife name, model, steel, blade length, thickness etc...
Friday, February 24, 2012 23:59:37
Custom fillet knife, and the only western fillet knife I currently own. Technically and practically that;s more than enough, given my fish consumption and consequently, processing needs. Anyhow, very well made knife, from well known maker. Specific design limits its use, however, for whatever it was made, works superbly, even with my limited filleting skills :) Details and comparison (sortta) with Japanese fish processing knives, of which they(Japanese) have quite a few inside the review.
Thursday, February 23, 2012 22:18:00
it's been a while since I've touched that page and in that time I've learned new things, got new perspective on some old stuff and more importantly, I've learned how to maintain them strops properly :) Added that section too.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 15:30:31
One of my favorite Yanagibas, although as far as Yanagibas go, I do like most o them :) At least those that I bought for myself. Well made knife, very nice damascus cladding, and now with the new handle it's just gorgeous. Superb cutter and the edge holding is very high. Dedicated meat and fish slicer for me. Fun to use, easy to maintain, what else would you want from a knife. Detailed review in the link.
Saturday, February 18, 2012 20:55:28
Catching up on the review backlog :) Went through the test/usage record logs and completed the Kamagata Usuba review. Usubas are tricky knives to use, in that they require really good skills to fully utilize and appreciate their power. At least not to damage them. Designed for delicate vegetable cutting, as usual they sport razor thin edges, from very hard steels. Easy for average user to destroy such an edge, that's for sure. Anyway, no damage to my usuba, plenty of use, and plenty of learning. Details in the review. Read on.
Friday, February 17, 2012 23:04:43
Sorry no photo yet, and frankly being a mule project it is not a fancy knife to look at, however, the thing is made out of one of the most exotic alloys on the planet, Crucible CPM REX 121 steel, super high alloy, with 3.40% Carbon, and very high on Vanadium, Cobalt, Tugsten plus substantial amount of Mo. Designed for highest wear resistance, attainable hardness and red hot hardness. While I might not care about the later, former two definitely pose an interest for any knfie enthusiast. Hardness range 68-70HRC. Maxes out Rockwell hardness testers :) Small beast in short. I'll try to sharpen the edge this weekend, it's quite sharp out of the box, but I can do better than that. I defintely feel sorry for Farid for having to grind this one. The steel is very difficult to work with even in annealed state, let alonne at full hardness - 70HRC. Small knife, no real handle, but I love it. It's been a good week in exotic steel land ;) Last week I got Bohler-Uddeholm Vanadis 10 steel bird and troul knife from Phil Wilson, this week CPM REXC 121, and I have a few more exotic species slated for spring.
Thursday, February 16, 2012 22:45:22
In 2012 California legislature changed PC numbering. As far as knife carry and definition laws were concerned the changes affected pretty much everything relevant. 653K and 12020 are gone, most of the unusual/concealed/disguised knives got their own sections, open carry is moved out into its own section as well, under general provisions, and many other changes. Revised version online, including references to old PC sections and of course completely revised 2012 edits.
Thursday, February 16, 2012 16:12:06
Finally got around my notes and completed the last of the Chroma Porsche design knives reviews. I am glad it is over though. Sadly I never had much of a positive ot say about those knives and like I said in many reviews, it is no fun reviewing subpar knives, using them is no fun, sharpening them is no fun and writing about all that is no fun either. Same deal as with the other Chroma knives. Soft steel, not holding an edge worth a damn, and that's pretty much all to it.
Thursday, February 16, 2012 00:13:29