Do the super steels really hold up that well? I just cut a few boxes or bags open at work every day and have to strop my S30V (or equivalent) knives every week or two, and sharpen like once a month.
To me that doesn’t sound that unusual. A super steal will probably extend your sharpening frequency but then again it will take you considerable longer to sharpen.
From my experience sharpening something like M390 quickly, needs diamond or CBN abrasives and that can be rather expensive. Otherwise it will take longer to sharpen.
As moderator007 said, it’s quite an investment to get to the point where you can properly sharpen high end steel. Originally, I wanted to get an M390 blade for the “allure” of it. Some people do and just admire it, never honing/sharpening. Collectible shelf-queens to then sell at a later point. But if you’re going to use it, you need the sharpening skill & time to do it. S35VN is about as far as I’m going, I think. While it’s tougher to sharpen than 8Cr13Mov, it’s easier than D2.
For cutting boxes, nothing is better than a scandi grind. Still impressive that you only need to sharpen it once a month, might be once a week with a cheap steel.
The flipping action and the overall ergonomics are very good. The edges of handle need some light sanding if you have sensitive hands.
I bought mine for $46 shipped when these were selling for $150 - $170 on eBay.
Wow, that’s quite a difference! I guess those folks who shun AliExpress just don’t know about the actual Asian selling prices… I really like the “burlap” Micarta scales.
I cut boxes ( stuff i have ordered ) both tape and the cardboard, i do so to get smaller sizes of cardboard which i then put inside a big cardboard box, this way i dont have to throw out cardboard more than once every 1-2 years.
Actually my bedside “table” are one such cardboard box full of cardboard.
Not dong this from a environmental / recycling standpoint, it is CUZ i am a lazy old guy.
And for cutting the cardboard i do use a hobby knife, most often all my pocket knife are used for is pealing a apple.
The seller claims that it’s real M390. I asked him before buying it although I knew I would order it anyway.
It came with a wicked sharp edge out of the box.
I really wish there was some reliable way of knowing the true steel and quality of these clones. However, I believe the legally grey nature of the existence of these makes it difficult. Many reputable reviewers avoid these clones to prevent the knife community from giving them criticism for even possessing or purchasing a clone. Even if one could verify the steel is M390 with titanium scales, reproducing the same purchase can also be a challenge as it seems these Chinese sellers switch names or distributors when they start getting into trouble.
Yeah that is one of the more blatant Copies. Reminds me of the Praetorian (sp) that was copied to the ends of the earth a few years back.
Even if it had verifiable good steel I will support the made in the USA maker. Don’t read I am getting all righteous on this subject as I have had a few go arounds pages back. Realte (again not sure if I spelled that correct or not) is one of the makers coming out of China that is a first rate knife. I just don’t own any.
From my sample size of one. M390 is kinda a pain to get sharp, and that could be just me as sometimes things just sharpen easy and other times I fight with it. Blade shape owes a lot to that as well. Right now I have been carrying S30V and S35V in my rotation a lot with one knife having Elmax.
Super steels. Yeah they are worth it in my opinion. Someone asked above and I can say that after stropping a few knives on Monday, I thought about when I last put one to a stone. Most are at least a year and half. Yes I do rotate 3-5 knives a week depending on mood, what season it is and what I am wearing for the office. Some days it is a ZT562 and others it is a Benchmade 940. Although I looked at the BM 9400 auto, and it may follow me home in the future.