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03/16/2020 05:30AM |
MidwestFirecraft: "That's pretty cool! I've never seen that pattern on San-Mai. Just out of curiosity why do mass production knives like Cold Steel San-Mai not have the carbon migration? "
Because Cold Steel sucks - and we all know it.
The migration is every bit a result of TIME at welding heat as much as anything else. This time also ensures proper welding. Most knife companies are largely concerned with money in their pockets and sacrifice numerous aspects of their materials and processes to make something that just BARELY passes muster.
I will admit that material choices can effect the visual result.
A lot like Gransfors Bruks axes. A rather large group of us got together one summer and compared a large number of axes and hatchets - both hand made and factory.
Performance wise, Gransfors Bruks came in last.
The best performing small axe of the bunch was my Collins axe put together from an ash handle and a head bought off Ebay for 20 bucks. Collins was an American company from the 50s.
If someone gave me a GB axe I'd just give it to someone else.
It's all about marketing these days.
About 5 years ago Cold Steel tried to sue almost the entire custom knife making world - like guys like me and my friends - for using the word "San Mai"!!!!!!! It was a huge class action law suit that never got off the ground. "San mai" is a common everyday Japanese word. But this just gives you an idea of the audacity of companies like Cold Steel.
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03/15/2020 10:49AM |
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04/04/2020 09:45AM |
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03/15/2020 06:30AM |
This is "San-Mai" which literally means "three pieces".
I forge weld stainless steel sides to a simple carbon core of 1% carbon steel. this must be done in a oxygen free environment at about 2000 degrees. The different shadow effects are a result of the carbon migrating from the carbon rich environment of the core steel to the carbon deficient environment of the low carbon stainless steel. I find it a very gratifying visual demonstration of the migration of carbon/alloys at welding temps.
I frosted the steel guard and hot-blued it just like we do with firearms.
The handle material is Ivory Micarta - for contrast.
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03/19/2020 05:29AM |
MidwestFirecraft: "KarlBAndersen1: "If someone gave me a GB axe I'd just give it to someone else."
I will gladly take any GB axes you come by! I'm no blacksmith but the GB Wilderness axe is the best axe I have ever used for canoe camping. "
I did say that GB finished last. I didn't say they were worthless.
There's just a lot better out there.
Use what makes you happy.
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03/17/2020 05:41AM |
KarlBAndersen1: "If someone gave me a GB axe I'd just give it to someone else."
I will gladly take any GB axes you come by! I'm no blacksmith but the GB Wilderness axe is the best axe I have ever used for canoe camping.