Finally found a CRK Sebenza after 3 years of searching that got delivered today, they are difficult to find where I am. What an absolutely stunning functional piece of art. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to a full custom. Maybe one day when circumstances are more suitable.
I really enjoy watching you show the knives David . You really know a lot about the knives. I just started watching the knife center about three weeks ago. And now I've bought three knives. And Iam sure I'll be buying more! All because of you thanks a lot.
Hey Sam Llovejoy you can't go wrong with BenchMade and ZT 2 of the best warranties in the industry. These guys will last a lifetime, they both do reblades, and BM will do new handles as well. Only issue I see is that have these guys you're definitely gonna end up moving up to Hinderer in no time. Good luck buddy.
Recommendation for a FAQ - Weird knives that actually work. There are some knives out there with weird designs and are often just thought of as collectables, however, some of these actually make good users. For example, about 2 years ago I bought a Cold Steel Black Talon with a massive hawksbill blade on a whim. To look at, this knife looks aggressive and overdone. However, I now regularly use it in the garden to open bags, cut up shade cloth, pruning etc. The blade works a wonder. My grail knife is a Chaves Ultramar Redencio - very hard to come by in Aus & very $$$. Thanks heaps.
I'm actually getting one of My Grail knives Pretty soon !...it's a CAROTHERS PROFORMANCE KNIVES SHIV 2.0 in Delta3V where as the OG Shiv was made in A2 instead of 3V with the Delta heat treatment protocol so it's a better steel and a better heat treatment process!...
Hey DCA, it's been many a years since I became addicted to your suggestions n evaluations of blades. Gotta say...you just made really big big contribution to my knowledge about blades, steel, n everything about knives... I just can't stop thinking about your next episode.…
DCA, I have to say man, I honestly have not bought from Knife Center before, and mostly use that other place...bhq. That being said though, I love the videos you do. They show some nice stuff but never get nearly as detailed as you do. Also, they tend to pander to the masses vs showing and informing from a personal stand point. Keep it man!
What two knives would you pick if you were dropped in the wilderness and had to survive as long as possible? Part 2: throw a multi tool in there as well.
ESSE 6 as large main blade (although it won't take the place of an axe, it would do enough) ESSE Izula 2 as a small fixed blade for game prep, specific small tasks and backup. Leatherman Wave for a multi tool with a sharpener and pliers and tools. Has worked for me up in the North Woods of Maine for bird camp and moose camp for years!
For cutting cardboard.... Spyderco Manix II with a S110V blade.... yes it takes a bit to put a proper edge on it.... But then its a once a week strop and its good to go. Best knife for that job.
I never thought I'd get away with saying "DCA got the Clap!", yet here we are... Rude jokes aside, thanks for another great episode! Keep up the good work! 👍
Hey DCA, Love the series. Do you ever buy a knife with the sole intention of customizing it? e.g. I bought a Buck Spitfire just to make micarta scales for it. And can you show us one you impressed yourself with? Thanks.
Also, 9:18, knives have been being made for a long, long, long….. long… long… time. And it’s an ungodly competitive business if you are producing any kind of larger numbers. Thanks to all the knife journalists out there for helping spot garbage as well as gems
I have a Higo II and a Hizen and I carry and use them both. If a knife cost my £1k ($1,300), it owes me a shed load of work in return! My only worry is that if I do ever blunt them, I’ll have to send them to Japan for sharpening. For a Grail Bushcraft knife, look at the Jacklore Classic from Sandy Jack. A very refined evolution of the Woodlore. Unfortunately, they are almost as hard to get hold of. Sandy only produces 2 or 3 per week, most go to friends and existing customers and only a dozen or so per year end up for sale on his website. They go within 5 minutes of being posted. It took me more than three years to get one. It’ll be on my UA-cam channel soon.
@@dertydan nor would I with any others, but a zero edge, convex grind with absolutely no scratch pattern whatsoever on a 67 Rockwell blade, is well beyond my skill.
Awesome video DCA, truly. I've found that my Grail Knife goalposts are always on the move. I don't think I'll know what my one true grail is until I stop collecting them. My current Grail Knife is a Zero Tolerance 0462 Sinkovich custom anodized by JD Cutlery. Show side is a black/burgundy carbon fiber weave unlike anything I've ever seen, and the clip side is titanium with an eye popping super storm treatment of so many different colors. It's not the most expensive knife in my collection, but it has a beauty and uniqueness all its own and it's my go to carry for social events.
It's what I carry everyday. They're not sexy or super cool, but I'd have a difficult time arguing that they're not most often the superior tool. I'm in construction and have had dozens of makes and models, the Milwaukee button locks & their similiarly built competition are outstanding tools.
The Rockstead is a hardcore user that’s harder than a file. Yes, the blade finish is awesome, but can easily be restored if somehow it was scratched. Similar to Chris Reeve folders, the Rockstead is impervious to damage.
and it doesn't seem to scratch all that easily either, i know people have been freaking out about messing up the mirror polish but i've seen rocksteads used for a couple of years that still have that edge and finish.
I loved the question about bringing back the inspiration. After wanting (and buying) a lot of different models, i kind of burnt out as well and could not find any more excitement in the latest releases. That's when i started making my own knives. They are far from perfect for sure, but they are unique and fit my expectations quite well. This really fueled my interest for knives.
There was a time where a KNIFE is just a knife to me but after watching all your shows I am now like a Connoisseur of cutting tools. Knife Centre is very educational & informative. We now know about metallurgy, limitation of processed wood or scales, quality of forging & tempering. We understands Productions & Customs knives and a lot more. So DCA, when do we get our Knife Centre certificate for completion of this courses? Great show as always mate. Greetings from Australia. Stay safe matey.
First off, before my question I wanted to say thanks for all your other videos. I had purchased a Kershaw 1776 Link in 20CV, and must admit that I have never (before) been afraid of the sharpness of a knife, but this one concerned me. Then I ran into your video’s about Cross Bar Locks (wish the entire industry would just go with that moniker rather than all the proprietary names)… anyways I decided to exchange the Link for one of Knife Center’s Exclusive Griptilian’s and have really enjoyed the knife thus far, the only hang up is that the Griptilian did not arrive quite as sharp as the Link In FAQ #72 you mention “maybe learn to sharpen better” I Watched your video on how to use a Strop, and found it really useful. My question is, “To Strop or Not to Strop, When is the question”. When should a more abrasive stone be used, and when is simply stropping going to be enough?
Glad you are enjoying the Griptilian! As for when to use a more abrasive stone, if stropping isn't keeping it as sharp as you like or expect, then back it up to the finest stone to lightly sharpen, then strop. Hope that helps! -DCA
Great description on heat treating. I work as a metallurgist for a huge metals distributor in the aerospace industry. Would love to chat to you guys more if you ever want a little more information on the technical heat treating processes and what can go right/wrong!
I have the Lars Fält, it's incredible in every aspect, beautiful curly birch, nice big blade, my recommendation for any bushcraft knife and this aswell, get a dangler and treat the handle with food grade countertop oil (like ronseal)
Hey Knife Specialist, Med'sMan here :). Can you do war combos, like a hawk, a larger fixed blade and a folding one? Mad Max style or survival gear in war scenarios. Urban or nature. U can include flashlights, fire starters or lighters, maybe a saw, things to help you survive in case of an invasion. It's kind of trendy right now, unfortunately. If u prefere nail clippers, i understand :)) Good luck!
Going to add on top of the cardboard cutting question. When you cut things, you’ll quickly realize certain objects will roll/dull any knife edge, regardless of how nice a blade steel is. Hence why I’m not super into blade steels anymore. Cardboard, ceramic plates, bone, metal, etc. will roll 8CR13MOV and M390. However, the softer steel will have a more noticeable roll, but will be easier to resharpen. A dull edge or a rolled edge is nothing to worry about if you sharpen your knives. Chipping is the only thing to worry about. Although still repairable, a chipped edge takes significantly more time and metal removal. Similarly to a broken tip.
Hey DCA, please order the importance of these characteristics in order of importace: Ergonomics, blade geometry, blade length, steel choice, handle material, lock choice, heat treatment, and opening method. (Kind of a trick question as context is everything! Choose your own context 👍)
Hey David! Love the content, thank you very much. Question: what would you recommend when asked for "Opinel but fixed blade"? P.s. show the face of your cool sounding camera man some time 😁 cheers, stay well!
Hi DCA ! I have modded an Opinel n°10 (making it a tanto, milling the handle to have a seatbelt-cutter and thinning the handle) and I'm not satisfied with its handling. The blade is really slicy but lack edge retention. I EDC a beater fixed blade (Real Steel Cormorant), and I need a slicier folder. The Opinel is 2.1mm thick (0.082 inches), so I think I need a thin high full-flat grind, 3.5 inches to preferably 4, if possible in D2 or upper in edge-retention. Budget is 70 dollars max, give or take. But it can be way lower (D2 can be a bargain these days) ^^ A french fellow knife beater
DCA - think the fixed blade question was what folder design would you like to see turned into a fixed blade (alla the examples given). And Boss Heat Treatment from Buck, to get the most out of a basic carbon steel.
Hey DCA, hoping you can provide your unique input on this; can you help distinguish the most popular steel types by their actual usefulness (not just their metallurgic properties that we're all familiar with)? Would love to see you organize some groups of the popular steels by their real-world functions, and help us visualize these with a perfect steel/function/design example. (Bonus points for pointing out which steels are essentially identical) Thanks!
You guys are awesome. Really enjoyed watching this after a long day of looking for excuses to use my knife at work lol. Love seeing the hatchets and axes too.
Thank you for your work. Good stuff as usual. Gerber Suspension multi tool here at high mountain desert plateau hideout NM. Or.... Skeletool sometimes. Pliers handy! Wood handles are beautiful.
I’m about positive you misunderstood the question at 20minutes. He’s talking about designs that’d also be good fixed blades as in the models he said that have a fixed and folder version
Need some sharpening advice. Which sharpening method is best for sharpening the recurve part of recurve blades? Ceramic rods, flat stones, or leather strips? Thanks
I cut cardboard with my 20cv, 4v, and xhp spyderco knives. I must say though...my cutting experience was soooooooo much better then my 8Cr13Mov and BD1N counter parts. Money well invested in better steels on your favorite models in my opinion :)
SR1 Lite at $56 (!!!) should be in everyone's car and office kit. My vote also goes to the 4" Luzon as a bargain "folding paring knife" for construction site food slicing.
Question (or clarification) The "A" in A2 tool steel indicates Air hardening. The "W" in W2 tool steel indicates water quench, the "O" in O2 tool steel indicates oil quench. What does the "D" in D2 tool steel indicate?
@@_MiMo_ @Michael Morgan I just received confirmation, you were correct. The Knife Steel Nerds channel (the creator of CPM Magnacut) just got back to me... The D indicates "Die" typical purpose steel, it is not related to quench speed. Thank you for your input. D2 is widespread in the knife collection world, people may as well know what it means. Mabye it will still be on the show?
If I was not going to cut cardboard with my EDC knife, then what the heck am I carrying a knife for? Makes no sense to me. I've got sharpening stones and strops.
People have a misconception that a grail knife is supposed to be this expensive near unattainable thing. It's really not. It's that knife you want so badly regardless of price and are super proud of owning. Sometimes it's just your go to for every day or just a certain situation.
I disagree. I think a grail being expensive is part of what makes it special. I believe a grail is not a common knife. That Rockstead was amazing. Imagine all the time that went in to polishing that blade. That knife would look good in any collection.
Hi DCA, Seth and Thomas. I want to know your opinion on the purchase of Cold steel and now SOG by GSM Outdoors. Do you think that the quality will be maintained and they will let the companies freely in their creation and design of new products or they will interfere by lowering the quality to have lower cost products but also lower quality ones? I am very worried because I love both brands. Best wishes from Chile.
I got a good challenging question for you, what is a good fixed blade knife in the sequence of priority list and can do them all. I would be very surprised if you found one to fit all 1) food prep ( very good at slicing, stainless only) 2) tactical / hard use / basic camping tasks ( feather stick and firemaking included) 3) completely water resistant ( h1, lc200n, magnacut, vanax) 4) bushcraft
Hi DCA & Thomas! Help man to sleep. It's over midnight all I can think of is what sharpening tool should I get on the road for large survival knife like BK9 or RTAK II? Extra points for the tool that I can count on if I never find away back to civilisation. -Tapio from Finland
I own a Hugo 1,awesome knife it’s the nicest knife I own the big downside to this knife is it’s too beautiful ,And incredible quality knife I’m not rich ,comfortable.Consequently I don’t want to carry it for fear of scratching up the high polish DLC blade or the scales.
My Umnumzaan was a grail for me but Ive also put it through pure hell I know not all grail knives can handle the abuse but the Umnumzaan definitely can fill both shoes !
To the guy or gal who asked the question about the grail knife, here is my advice. If you are a knife collector, you probably have all the “use” knives you want or need. If you have a “grail” knife on your list, start saving your money right now and get your grail knife. You will never be happy looking at 10 also ran’s rather than the grail knife.
Love Rocksteads, I have several, such beautiful knives. What I don't like is their warranty. For what I have paid, I should be able to transfer the warranty.
In response to the comment of cardboard dulling the knife. If it can dull your blade, it can also sharpen it. Strop your knife on some cardboard when you have some time. It may not make a perfect edge, but more than enough to keep cutting cardboard.
Hello David 👋 I've been talking with a friend lately about diminishing returns on the knife world. Whats your take? Which pricepoint do you think currently offers the most value for folders and fixed blades as tools on today's market? Some examples for each would be a plus Thanks 😁
Try African Blackwood, it is as dense as Desert Ironwood. Those and Cocobolo are not stabilizable as they extremely oily, dense and when polished very stabile. Ebony is a bit too brittle for me to make a whole handle from, good for spacers though. D2 is hard to beat as a budget steel for cutting cardboard although some of it seems a bit soft for D2.
Unfortunately we also have examples of good HT in production knives but they screw it with thick geometry. Btw folders are fun, fixed blades are real deal
With the exception of Buck, why are so many entry level and mid-range knives not sporting a hollow grind? I have carried Buck knives for skinning and processing for almost 40 years and prefer a hollow grind for all of its benefits. After years of sharpening it’s still thin behind the edge. My straight razors that I use for everyday growth are hollow ground. My custom high-end grail knives are hollow ground. What’s up?
You know I'd love to see your gents opinions on cost of diminishing returns? Example, at what cost do you feel knifes don't get "better" but just more fancier? Example like after 300 hundred dollars the knifes don't become "better" they just become prettier?
Grail moment.. Bought canoe at Academy Sports today. It was covered in thick opaque plastic. Both workers pulled out knives at the same time my son and I did. Great moment. 1 SOG, 1 Benchmade Presidio, (son's) 1 guy wouldn't say and my $18.99 Ka-Bar Jarosz Beartooth from sm k w. ( it's localish) Best $18.99 knife out there, perhaps. Tough and will shave what needs shaving. ... I've chilled lol
Love the KniFAQ!. My question is, all things being equal, why not a finger choil on every folder? Seems to add versatility and other benefits without any cost. Elucidate me on the pros/cons. Thanks!
Hello DCA and Thomas. Absolutely love the series keep up the great work. Question have you guys ever put together a list of the grind angles of the different manufacturers? I know there are general guidelines but it would be great to get the same crisp edge as the factory. Again outstanding series. Thanks for all you do.
Rockstead is my favourite brand, it is a pitty that they call themselves that the make production knives, because they are superb quality and unbelievably sharp
Hi DCA! Great videos, love your content! I think we all enjoy Thomas's often implied sarcastic comments and was wondering what are his top 5 favorite knives?
They are a bit spendy. Check out the 726 Mini Buck Spitfire @ $38 on Amazon. I've always been really happy with Bucks' geometry and 420 h.c. It's just outside of your specs @ 2-3/4" blade length but could be a winner. I'm going to pick one up for my son's first knife.
Hey DCA, I keep drooling over the the AD20.5, but the price turns me off. I understand that I’m paying for the Shark Lock more than anything, but still… Is it worth me spending $150 for D2? Keep up the great work! And shout out to Thomas, as a fellow cameraman… I get it.
Hey DCA, super serious question for you. If someone were to buy that Rockstead what would be the best dishwasher setting to keep it extra shiny like that?
??? When we think about traditional slip joint knives there are many multi-bladed patterns. Two blade trappers, three blade stockmans, 4 blade congresses, etcetera. Why do you think we don't see more multi-bladed modern locking knives, barring some fantasy knives I can only think of a few, the Benchmade Outlast being one of them. Thoughts? Hope you can help.
Think you misunderstood the fixed-blade vs folder question a bit: seemed like he was actually asking which folding knives do you think would also be good in a fixed-blade version. Would still be interesting to know.
Honestly, my problem with nearly all “grail” knives (and I believe I am not at all unique in this), is that as a leftie if I’m going to pay >$500 for a knife I want it actually to accommodate me. Other than the Sebenza, or going perhaps full-full custom, I’ve not found many (really, any) left-handed grail knives ever. For us lefties DCA, what are your thoughts on where the industry is with regard to making left-handed grail knives? As an enthusiast, I’d love to one day have at least one full-dress hand-ground and polished Damasteel folder with full timascus scales. Or similar. But if I’m going to buy in that ballpark, I want it to work. Thanks!
Hey DCA, thanks for always dropping so much knowledge! What is meant by "clean". I often hear knifemakers refer to another's work as "clean", but there seem to be multiple qualities captured there. For example, "clean lines" and "clean build" are distinct properties. I have some idea of what is meant here, but could you share some examples to gawk at to help reinforce that intuition?
It's a stylistic and design comment! Normally means the design is either a nice example of the form (a 'clean' Bowie knife design) or doesn't have too much clutter / extraneous stuff on the handle (many people cite the Civvi Elementum as a 'clean' design).
Most type of steels (8Cr13mov, m390, VG-10, etc) usually fits in a specific price range (high, med, cheap price steel). Why is there such a wide price range in D2 steel? Are the expansive D2 knife (I.e., 150 from Demko) really better than the cheaper D2 steels (I.e., $60 from CIVIVI)?
Hey David, I've yet to see a button lock cleaver knife, do you think there is a reason why that is? Could you give an example of a button lock cleaver (non-auto)? Or maybe nobody has tried to produce one yet? I think if a maker were to produce one it would be very popular
Not a question - I just want to thank you for the warmth, wit, and knife geekery. Be well, gentlemen.
Just bought the Rockstead holy grail. What a masterpiece! So gorgeous!
😊
Congrats bro!! Which model? I would love a Higo with the carbon fiber. That's definitely one of my grails.
@@frankiejdwm_edc1037 Rockstead higo 2. Same one in the video except with blue liners 😍
@@cam8157 that's one of my grails for sure too, either the blue, or the silver/gold but need the CF don't want the wood. Congrats bro
What do you use it for?
Finally found a CRK Sebenza after 3 years of searching that got delivered today, they are difficult to find where I am. What an absolutely stunning functional piece of art. It’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to a full custom. Maybe one day when circumstances are more suitable.
Congrats!!!
A lot of Aussie timbers are quite hard and do fine without stabilisation too. Gidgee, Redgum, Mallee are all good examples.
I really enjoy watching you show the knives David . You really know a lot about the knives. I just started watching the knife center about three weeks ago. And now I've bought three knives. And Iam sure I'll be buying more! All because of you thanks a lot.
Last month I bought a LionSteel M4 ST M390 bushcraft fixed blade with Santo wood handles and love it.
Hey Sam Llovejoy you can't go wrong with BenchMade and ZT 2 of the best warranties in the industry. These guys will last a lifetime, they both do reblades, and BM will do new handles as well. Only issue I see is that have these guys you're definitely gonna end up moving up to Hinderer in no time. Good luck buddy.
No doubt the fact that my local dealer doesn’t have hinders ever, is the only reason I don’t have atleast one other than my two zt’s
Recommendation for a FAQ - Weird knives that actually work. There are some knives out there with weird designs and are often just thought of as collectables, however, some of these actually make good users. For example, about 2 years ago I bought a Cold Steel Black Talon with a massive hawksbill blade on a whim. To look at, this knife looks aggressive and overdone. However, I now regularly use it in the garden to open bags, cut up shade cloth, pruning etc. The blade works a wonder. My grail knife is a Chaves Ultramar Redencio - very hard to come by in Aus & very $$$. Thanks heaps.
Chaves are made by reate in China.
I'm actually getting one of My Grail knives Pretty soon !...it's a CAROTHERS PROFORMANCE KNIVES SHIV 2.0 in Delta3V where as the OG Shiv was made in A2 instead of 3V with the Delta heat treatment protocol so it's a better steel and a better heat treatment process!...
just got my launch 1 in the mail thursday and man i love this thing. thanks for the great service guys
Hey DCA, it's been many a years since I became addicted to your suggestions n evaluations of blades.
Gotta say...you just made really big big contribution to my knowledge about blades, steel, n everything about knives...
I just can't stop thinking about your next episode.…
That Rockstead was amazing! What a beautiful knife
Thanks for answering my question about a grail bushcraft knife.
DCA, I have to say man, I honestly have not bought from Knife Center before, and mostly use that other place...bhq. That being said though, I love the videos you do. They show some nice stuff but never get nearly as detailed as you do. Also, they tend to pander to the masses vs showing and informing from a personal stand point. Keep it man!
That Falikniven desert iron wood is beautiful.
The rockstead higo has been my grail knife since the first time I saw it.
What two knives would you pick if you were dropped in the wilderness and had to survive as long as possible? Part 2: throw a multi tool in there as well.
Becker BK9
Mora Companion H.D. Carbon steel
Leatherman S.T. 300
ESSE 6 as large main blade (although it won't take the place of an axe, it would do enough)
ESSE Izula 2 as a small fixed blade for game prep, specific small tasks and backup.
Leatherman Wave for a multi tool with a sharpener and pliers and tools.
Has worked for me up in the North Woods of Maine for bird camp and moose camp for years!
Some really solid combos there. I would go with an Esee junglas 2 and a Benchmade 200 puuko. And a Leatherman wave cannot be beat!
Varusteleka Skrama 240
Fallkniven F1
Victorinox Multitool
For cutting cardboard.... Spyderco Manix II with a S110V blade.... yes it takes a bit to put a proper edge on it.... But then its a once a week strop and its good to go. Best knife for that job.
Got African rosewood scales on my Damascus Elementum and love them. No issues so far.
I believe the question meant what folder designs would work well as fixed blade designs
I never thought I'd get away with saying "DCA got the Clap!", yet here we are...
Rude jokes aside, thanks for another great episode! Keep up the good work! 👍
Very funny. I thought the same, just didn't say it!
DCA is the only person that gets a immediate like after hitting play.
Hey DCA, Love the series. Do you ever buy a knife with the sole intention of customizing it? e.g. I bought a Buck Spitfire just to make micarta scales for it. And can you show us one you impressed yourself with? Thanks.
Bought a couple of Svord Peasant knives to do that and make them into rustic steak knives.
Also, 9:18, knives have been being made for a long, long, long….. long… long… time. And it’s an ungodly competitive business if you are producing any kind of larger numbers. Thanks to all the knife journalists out there for helping spot garbage as well as gems
You guys are awesome. Thanks for the great videos
I have a Higo II and a Hizen and I carry and use them both. If a knife cost my £1k ($1,300), it owes me a shed load of work in return! My only worry is that if I do ever blunt them, I’ll have to send them to Japan for sharpening.
For a Grail Bushcraft knife, look at the Jacklore Classic from Sandy Jack. A very refined evolution of the Woodlore. Unfortunately, they are almost as hard to get hold of. Sandy only produces 2 or 3 per week, most go to friends and existing customers and only a dozen or so per year end up for sale on his website. They go within 5 minutes of being posted. It took me more than three years to get one. It’ll be on my UA-cam channel soon.
i cant imagine letting anyone else sharpen my knives
@@dertydan nor would I with any others, but a zero edge, convex grind with absolutely no scratch pattern whatsoever on a 67 Rockwell blade, is well beyond my skill.
Awesome video DCA, truly. I've found that my Grail Knife goalposts are always on the move. I don't think I'll know what my one true grail is until I stop collecting them. My current Grail Knife is a Zero Tolerance 0462 Sinkovich custom anodized by JD Cutlery. Show side is a black/burgundy carbon fiber weave unlike anything I've ever seen, and the clip side is titanium with an eye popping super storm treatment of so many different colors. It's not the most expensive knife in my collection, but it has a beauty and uniqueness all its own and it's my go to carry for social events.
Talk about shaving and Mr Anderson reaches for not one but three axes 😄 not surprised that I enjoy every video I've watched on this channel.
There are lots of cool razor knives with lock back and pocket clips, great for cardboard. just change the blade when you need to.
It's what I carry everyday. They're not sexy or super cool, but I'd have a difficult time arguing that they're not most often the superior tool. I'm in construction and have had dozens of makes and models, the Milwaukee button locks & their similiarly built competition are outstanding tools.
The Rockstead is a hardcore user that’s harder than a file. Yes, the blade finish is awesome, but can easily be restored if somehow it was scratched. Similar to Chris Reeve folders, the Rockstead is impervious to damage.
and it doesn't seem to scratch all that easily either, i know people have been freaking out about messing up the mirror polish but i've seen rocksteads used for a couple of years that still have that edge and finish.
Aesthetically, that MKM Clap is amazing. The design is just gorgeous
I love the clap it's a beautiful blade.
I would rather have one really nice knife that I love than two very good knives that I like. There is no right or wrong though IMO though.
I loved the question about bringing back the inspiration. After wanting (and buying) a lot of different models, i kind of burnt out as well and could not find any more excitement in the latest releases.
That's when i started making my own knives. They are far from perfect for sure, but they are unique and fit my expectations quite well. This really fueled my interest for knives.
The best Bushcraft knife made today is the Jacklore Classic, but even raerer than a Woodlore. Took me three years of hard work to get one!
There was a time where a KNIFE is just a knife to me but after watching all your shows I am now like a Connoisseur of cutting tools. Knife Centre is very educational & informative. We now know about metallurgy, limitation of processed wood or scales, quality of forging & tempering. We understands Productions & Customs knives and a lot more. So DCA, when do we get our Knife Centre certificate for completion of this courses? Great show as always mate. Greetings from Australia. Stay safe matey.
First off, before my question I wanted to say thanks for all your other videos. I had purchased a Kershaw 1776 Link in 20CV, and must admit that I have never (before) been afraid of the sharpness of a knife, but this one concerned me. Then I ran into your video’s about Cross Bar Locks (wish the entire industry would just go with that moniker rather than all the proprietary names)… anyways I decided to exchange the Link for one of Knife Center’s Exclusive Griptilian’s and have really enjoyed the knife thus far, the only hang up is that the Griptilian did not arrive quite as sharp as the Link
In FAQ #72 you mention “maybe learn to sharpen better” I Watched your video on how to use a Strop, and found it really useful. My question is, “To Strop or Not to Strop, When is the question”. When should a more abrasive stone be used, and when is simply stropping going to be enough?
Glad you are enjoying the Griptilian! As for when to use a more abrasive stone, if stropping isn't keeping it as sharp as you like or expect, then back it up to the finest stone to lightly sharpen, then strop. Hope that helps! -DCA
@@knifecenter Thanks! And thanks again for carrying the 20CV version of the Griptilian
Great description on heat treating. I work as a metallurgist for a huge metals distributor in the aerospace industry. Would love to chat to you guys more if you ever want a little more information on the technical heat treating processes and what can go right/wrong!
I have a BK77 Xtreem made of S30V when no one knew what S30V was. I didn't know it was a grail knife when I bought it new over 10 years ago.
20* years. S30Vs been around for 22? years now but I'd hang on to that one 👍
I have the Lars Fält, it's incredible in every aspect, beautiful curly birch, nice big blade, my recommendation for any bushcraft knife and this aswell, get a dangler and treat the handle with food grade countertop oil (like ronseal)
Hey Knife Specialist, Med'sMan here :). Can you do war combos, like a hawk, a larger fixed blade and a folding one? Mad Max style or survival gear in war scenarios. Urban or nature. U can include flashlights, fire starters or lighters, maybe a saw, things to help you survive in case of an invasion. It's kind of trendy right now, unfortunately. If u prefere nail clippers, i understand :)) Good luck!
Going to add on top of the cardboard cutting question. When you cut things, you’ll quickly realize certain objects will roll/dull any knife edge, regardless of how nice a blade steel is. Hence why I’m not super into blade steels anymore. Cardboard, ceramic plates, bone, metal, etc. will roll 8CR13MOV and M390. However, the softer steel will have a more noticeable roll, but will be easier to resharpen. A dull edge or a rolled edge is nothing to worry about if you sharpen your knives. Chipping is the only thing to worry about. Although still repairable, a chipped edge takes significantly more time and metal removal. Similarly to a broken tip.
Hey DCA, please order the importance of these characteristics in order of importace: Ergonomics, blade geometry, blade length, steel choice, handle material, lock choice, heat treatment, and opening method. (Kind of a trick question as context is everything! Choose your own context 👍)
Hey David! Love the content, thank you very much. Question: what would you recommend when asked for "Opinel but fixed blade"? P.s. show the face of your cool sounding camera man some time 😁 cheers, stay well!
Hi DCA ! I have modded an Opinel n°10 (making it a tanto, milling the handle to have a seatbelt-cutter and thinning the handle) and I'm not satisfied with its handling. The blade is really slicy but lack edge retention. I EDC a beater fixed blade (Real Steel Cormorant), and I need a slicier folder. The Opinel is 2.1mm thick (0.082 inches), so I think I need a thin high full-flat grind, 3.5 inches to preferably 4, if possible in D2 or upper in edge-retention. Budget is 70 dollars max, give or take. But it can be way lower (D2 can be a bargain these days) ^^
A french fellow knife beater
Knifecenter hasn't had the benchmade Adamas in stock since before Christmas
DCA - think the fixed blade question was what folder design would you like to see turned into a fixed blade (alla the examples given).
And Boss Heat Treatment from Buck, to get the most out of a basic carbon steel.
Hey DCA, hoping you can provide your unique input on this; can you help distinguish the most popular steel types by their actual usefulness (not just their metallurgic properties that we're all familiar with)? Would love to see you organize some groups of the popular steels by their real-world functions, and help us visualize these with a perfect steel/function/design example. (Bonus points for pointing out which steels are essentially identical) Thanks!
You guys are awesome. Really enjoyed watching this after a long day of looking for excuses to use my knife at work lol. Love seeing the hatchets and axes too.
Thank you for your work. Good stuff as usual. Gerber Suspension multi tool here at high mountain desert plateau hideout NM. Or.... Skeletool sometimes. Pliers handy!
Wood handles are beautiful.
I got a BigIDesigns TPT Slide for doing utility tasks like cutting cardboard and what not.
I’m about positive you misunderstood the question at 20minutes. He’s talking about designs that’d also be good fixed blades as in the models he said that have a fixed and folder version
Need some sharpening advice. Which sharpening method is best for sharpening the recurve part of recurve blades? Ceramic rods, flat stones, or leather strips? Thanks
I cut cardboard with my 20cv, 4v, and xhp spyderco knives. I must say though...my cutting experience was soooooooo much better then my 8Cr13Mov and BD1N counter parts. Money well invested in better steels on your favorite models in my opinion :)
SR1 Lite at $56 (!!!) should be in everyone's car and office kit. My vote also goes to the 4" Luzon as a bargain "folding paring knife" for construction site food slicing.
Question (or clarification) The "A" in A2 tool steel indicates Air hardening. The "W" in W2 tool steel indicates water quench, the "O" in O2 tool steel indicates oil quench. What does the "D" in D2 tool steel indicate?
"Die"- a device for cutting metal.
I really don't know but that's my guess. Another guess would be dioxide.🤷♂️
@@_MiMo_ @Michael Morgan I just received confirmation, you were correct. The Knife Steel Nerds channel (the creator of CPM Magnacut) just got back to me... The D indicates "Die" typical purpose steel, it is not related to quench speed. Thank you for your input. D2 is widespread in the knife collection world, people may as well know what it means. Mabye it will still be on the show?
@@eddielittleii8919 Was a great question! I think they'll like it.👍
Just got my edge angle guide 😉👍🏻 SWEET. A MAN HAS GOT TO KNOW HIS LIMITS.
Would love for you guys to do a bit on Ulu's and/or other not necessarily mainstream cutting tools.
Always Watching the Best Channel Knives 🔥💯👍👌💪🇺🇸
14:39 the only "wrong" thing for collecting as far as I'm concerned is knowingly buying a counterfeit.
If I was not going to cut cardboard with my EDC knife, then what the heck am I carrying a knife for? Makes no sense to me. I've got sharpening stones and strops.
People have a misconception that a grail knife is supposed to be this expensive near unattainable thing. It's really not. It's that knife you want so badly regardless of price and are super proud of owning. Sometimes it's just your go to for every day or just a certain situation.
In that case I consider my paragon Warlock a grail
I disagree. I think a grail being expensive is part of what makes it special. I believe a grail is not a common knife. That Rockstead was amazing. Imagine all the time that went in to polishing that blade. That knife would look good in any collection.
THANK YOU
Hi DCA, Seth and Thomas. I want to know your opinion on the purchase of Cold steel and now SOG by GSM Outdoors. Do you think that the quality will be maintained and they will let the companies freely in their creation and design of new products or they will interfere by lowering the quality to have lower cost products but also lower quality ones? I am very worried because I love both brands. Best wishes from Chile.
I got a good challenging question for you, what is a good fixed blade knife in the sequence of priority list and can do them all. I would be very surprised if you found one to fit all
1) food prep ( very good at slicing, stainless only)
2) tactical / hard use / basic camping tasks ( feather stick and firemaking included)
3) completely water resistant ( h1, lc200n, magnacut, vanax)
4) bushcraft
Hi DCA & Thomas! Help man to sleep. It's over midnight all I can think of is what sharpening tool should I get on the road for large survival knife like BK9 or RTAK II? Extra points for the tool that I can count on if I never find away back to civilisation. -Tapio from Finland
DCA, 3 dream knives, no matter the cost
I would love to see more " snake skin micarta " myself only seen a few .
I own a Hugo 1,awesome knife it’s the nicest knife I own the big downside to this knife is it’s too beautiful ,And incredible quality knife I’m not rich ,comfortable.Consequently I don’t want to carry it for fear of scratching up the high polish DLC blade or the scales.
OTTER KNIVES!!! Time tested and value. Great grail knife!!!
My Umnumzaan was a grail for me but Ive also put it through pure hell I know not all grail knives can handle the abuse but the Umnumzaan definitely can fill both shoes !
To the guy or gal who asked the question about the grail knife, here is my advice. If you are a knife collector, you probably have all the “use” knives you want or need. If you have a “grail” knife on your list, start saving your money right now and get your grail knife. You will never be happy looking at 10 also ran’s rather than the grail knife.
Thanks bro
Love Rocksteads, I have several, such beautiful knives. What I don't like is their warranty. For what I have paid, I should be able to transfer the warranty.
Honourable, colour, labour, etc. are examples of spelling used in Canada, Australia, as well as in the U.K.
In response to the comment of cardboard dulling the knife. If it can dull your blade, it can also sharpen it. Strop your knife on some cardboard when you have some time. It may not make a perfect edge, but more than enough to keep cutting cardboard.
saludos desde tijuana amigo tienes un muy buen programa y muy bun material lastima que yo este muy lejos.
Hello David 👋
I've been talking with a friend lately about diminishing returns on the knife world.
Whats your take? Which pricepoint do you think currently offers the most value for folders and fixed blades as tools on today's market?
Some examples for each would be a plus
Thanks 😁
Nick Shabazz has a great video on diminishing returns in the knife/watch world! Might be worth a look
@@danielwendell542 thanks
Cardboard doesn’t kill my Para 3 blade’s edge, it comes right back with a couple of swipes on a ceramic rod. Hand sanitizer takes the gum off.
Try African Blackwood, it is as dense as Desert Ironwood. Those and Cocobolo are not stabilizable as they extremely oily, dense and when polished very stabile. Ebony is a bit too brittle for me to make a whole handle from, good for spacers though.
D2 is hard to beat as a budget steel for cutting cardboard although some of it seems a bit soft for D2.
Thomas had the point, but you had the edge lol. Would seth be the tang?? you see what I did there 🤣
Unfortunately we also have examples of good HT in production knives but they screw it with thick geometry. Btw folders are fun, fixed blades are real deal
With the exception of Buck, why are so many entry level and mid-range knives not sporting a hollow grind? I have carried Buck knives for skinning and processing for almost 40 years and prefer a hollow grind for all of its benefits. After years of sharpening it’s still thin behind the edge.
My straight razors that I use for everyday growth are hollow ground. My custom high-end grail knives are hollow ground. What’s up?
Hey DCA, what is an inexpensive knife to experience a convex grind. Thanks for all that you and the crew do, keep up the great content.
You know I'd love to see your gents opinions on cost of diminishing returns? Example, at what cost do you feel knifes don't get "better" but just more fancier? Example like after 300 hundred dollars the knifes don't become "better" they just become prettier?
Grail moment..
Bought canoe at Academy Sports today.
It was covered in thick opaque plastic.
Both workers pulled out knives at the same time my son and I did. Great moment.
1 SOG, 1 Benchmade Presidio, (son's) 1 guy wouldn't say and my $18.99 Ka-Bar Jarosz Beartooth from sm k w. ( it's localish)
Best $18.99 knife out there, perhaps. Tough and will shave what needs shaving.
... I've chilled lol
Love the KniFAQ!. My question is, all things being equal, why not a finger choil on every folder? Seems to add versatility and other benefits without any cost. Elucidate me on the pros/cons. Thanks!
Awesome vid as usual! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 keep em coming!!
Hello DCA and Thomas. Absolutely love the series keep up the great work. Question have you guys ever put together a list of the grind angles of the different manufacturers? I know there are general guidelines but it would be great to get the same crisp edge as the factory. Again outstanding series. Thanks for all you do.
Check out the first question in FAQ #71: ua-cam.com/video/K9FzsNDrics/v-deo.html
Rockstead is my favourite brand, it is a pitty that they call themselves that the make production knives, because they are superb quality and unbelievably sharp
Hi DCA! Great videos, love your content! I think we all enjoy Thomas's often implied sarcastic comments and was wondering what are his top 5 favorite knives?
Hey DCA, can you give some suggestions for a smaller (2”-2 1/2” edge), budget blade that punches above its weight?
My vote goes to the Spyderco Dragonfly.
@@adamjames1375 The Dragonfly definitely punches above its weight class. But I’m not sure I would call it a “budget knife”.
They are a bit spendy. Check out the 726 Mini Buck Spitfire @ $38 on Amazon. I've always been really happy with Bucks' geometry and 420 h.c.
It's just outside of your specs @ 2-3/4" blade length but could be a winner. I'm going to pick one up for my son's first knife.
Spyderco Cat: kcoti.com/3pMgfnb -DCA
@@knifecenter Thanks DCA!!!
I use the expensive knives, and I can tell you most of them with d2 or above is tough avoid the cr13's.
Hey David! To bounce off the wood handle question this week, why not more hard rubber handles? It has a lot of natural grip, more than G-10. Thanks
Hey DCA, I keep drooling over the the AD20.5, but the price turns me off. I understand that I’m paying for the Shark Lock more than anything, but still… Is it worth me spending $150 for D2? Keep up the great work! And shout out to Thomas, as a fellow cameraman… I get it.
Hey DCA, super serious question for you. If someone were to buy that Rockstead what would be the best dishwasher setting to keep it extra shiny like that?
Mainly just lots and lots of rinse aid additive. 👍
??? When we think about traditional slip joint knives there are many multi-bladed patterns. Two blade trappers, three blade stockmans, 4 blade congresses, etcetera. Why do you think we don't see more multi-bladed modern locking knives, barring some fantasy knives I can only think of a few, the Benchmade Outlast being one of them. Thoughts? Hope you can help.
Think you misunderstood the fixed-blade vs folder question a bit: seemed like he was actually asking which folding knives do you think would also be good in a fixed-blade version. Would still be interesting to know.
Honestly, my problem with nearly all “grail” knives (and I believe I am not at all unique in this), is that as a leftie if I’m going to pay >$500 for a knife I want it actually to accommodate me. Other than the Sebenza, or going perhaps full-full custom, I’ve not found many (really, any) left-handed grail knives ever. For us lefties DCA, what are your thoughts on where the industry is with regard to making left-handed grail knives? As an enthusiast, I’d love to one day have at least one full-dress hand-ground and polished Damasteel folder with full timascus scales. Or similar. But if I’m going to buy in that ballpark, I want it to work. Thanks!
Hey DCA, thanks for always dropping so much knowledge! What is meant by "clean". I often hear knifemakers refer to another's work as "clean", but there seem to be multiple qualities captured there. For example, "clean lines" and "clean build" are distinct properties. I have some idea of what is meant here, but could you share some examples to gawk at to help reinforce that intuition?
It's a stylistic and design comment! Normally means the design is either a nice example of the form (a 'clean' Bowie knife design) or doesn't have too much clutter / extraneous stuff on the handle (many people cite the Civvi Elementum as a 'clean' design).
@@danielwendell542, the lack of extraneous stuff is a usage I’ve picked up on, but the nice example of the form is a new one for me. Thanks!
Most type of steels (8Cr13mov, m390, VG-10, etc) usually fits in a specific price range (high, med, cheap price steel). Why is there such a wide price range in D2 steel? Are the expansive D2 knife (I.e., 150 from Demko) really better than the cheaper D2 steels (I.e., $60 from CIVIVI)?
Hey David, I've yet to see a button lock cleaver knife, do you think there is a reason why that is? Could you give an example of a button lock cleaver (non-auto)? Or maybe nobody has tried to produce one yet? I think if a maker were to produce one it would be very popular