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If the top companies want to stand out, they need to get that M390 to 61-63 HRC. It's not 2018 anymore. 58-61 is something we expect to see on these new unknown brands popping up every week on Amazon etc. These top Chinese OEMs (Rike, We, Bestech, etc) can't survive on only having great machining anymore, users expect more now. If they can't hit those numbers for the price they are now asking, they need to just move on to a steel where they can hit the optimal range. Fantastic machining on the titanium is great, but the handle doesn't cut. So get the blades where they need to be if they are going to ask $350+ for a knife. Some of these Chinese prices start to reach close to some US manufacturers
ESPECIALLY When some of these new Chinese companies are able to hit 60-62 The industry veterans need to make the higher HRC a priority 60-62 is reasonable for 2025 61-63 on M390 is unnecessary IMO 61-63 on S45VN, Vananx, Elmax & S35VN Sure But M390 has a lot more carbides, and will make it pretty brittle past 62 Magnacut should be at 62-64 too No more excuses
@@bornonthebattlefront4883 Vanax doesn't go consistently to 63, usually maxes out at around 61HRC. M390 can go harder and 61-63 is the perfect range for it. Especially on a folder. No it's not brittle at that range unless someone messed up the heat treat.
I am at the point that I have created a spreadsheet with the most common knife steels and their optimal HRC. Someone said earlier that if it's $100 they expect to hire HRC. I feel if you're going to present a steal like m390 then you need to have the proper HRC regardless of cost of knife.
I have the mini version. Only complaint is that the titanium clip is really tight and hard to get over pants pockets. Ketuo was super helpful, and I was able to bend it, which helped. I would like for them to change the spring constant of the clip though. It needs to deflect easier at a lower force.
Every 5 blades should be hardness checked and labeled the batches. Hey guess what. Subpar heat treatment should constitute a blem product and a discount.
If you're asking me for more than $100, I'm asking for 60+ HRC. Period. Not "Oh, you might get lucky and get an acceptable heat treat." 60 MINIMUM. Also a small correction: 60 +/-2 is a 5 point range, not 4 (58-62).
I ordered one of those from WMK and had to send it back. It worked great at first, but it started to mess up. You could press the button to close it, but the blade would drop. You literally had to close it with your hand. The best I could tell was something was getting bound up. That black blade is DEFINITELY not DLC
Someone else can verify, but I believe Vosteed uses the term “top liner lock” for their button actuated compression lock. Their Raccoon is available with several locks, including this one.
MC, what was the one thing? You listed 2 1/2 to 3 things by my account: button compression lock instead of liner, lock, hire HRC, and clearly listing the HRC.
MC while these knives may be fine but since I’ve gotten the EXCALIBER in hand it’s difficult for me to like other knives you’ve set a high bar for all these companies to compete with!!!
Could you or anybody do a review of this knife or if you’ve already done a review? Can you guys tell me if it’s good or not? Are there a better knife around this price? With the crossbar lock that you recommend instead of this. Tenable Knives | SKU: T1006V7 Estimated Shipping Date: February 4th - Tenable Shard Cross Bar Lock Amber PEI Handle (3.47'' Damascus Blade) Kim Ning Design-T1006V7
This might be a hot take, but I think any hardness number in the spec sheet that isn't the actual measurement from your particular blade is completely meaningless. How do you know they're not pulling a lionsteel? 😂 I have a Kizer in S35VN and I love the design, but the edge retention is dogshit. Like, on par or worse than 8cr13mov. I've seen a guy test another Kizer, and even though they will swear up and down that it's 58+ hrc, that one was 51.
Why dont these knife companies just ask spyderco how to do the compression lock the right way you would think spyderco would want to help these Chinese companies with the compression lock and the round blade hole im just playin yall great video man 👍
My Amazon page! The gear I use here on the channel! - www.amazon.com/shop/metalcomplex
Metal Complex's recommended knife/gear retailers! - beacons.ai/metalcomplex
Thanks so much for watching! You can support my channel on Patreon here - www.patreon.com/metalcomplex
MC stickers! - www.redbubble.com/people/metal-complex/shop?asc=u
If the top companies want to stand out, they need to get that M390 to 61-63 HRC. It's not 2018 anymore. 58-61 is something we expect to see on these new unknown brands popping up every week on Amazon etc. These top Chinese OEMs (Rike, We, Bestech, etc) can't survive on only having great machining anymore, users expect more now. If they can't hit those numbers for the price they are now asking, they need to just move on to a steel where they can hit the optimal range. Fantastic machining on the titanium is great, but the handle doesn't cut. So get the blades where they need to be if they are going to ask $350+ for a knife. Some of these Chinese prices start to reach close to some US manufacturers
I could even accept 60-62 with a dlc coating, but 59? Gtf outta here
ESPECIALLY
When some of these new Chinese companies are able to hit 60-62
The industry veterans need to make the higher HRC a priority
60-62 is reasonable for 2025
61-63 on M390 is unnecessary IMO
61-63 on S45VN, Vananx, Elmax & S35VN
Sure
But M390 has a lot more carbides, and will make it pretty brittle past 62
Magnacut should be at 62-64 too
No more excuses
@@bornonthebattlefront4883 Vanax doesn't go consistently to 63, usually maxes out at around 61HRC. M390 can go harder and 61-63 is the perfect range for it. Especially on a folder. No it's not brittle at that range unless someone messed up the heat treat.
FACTS
I am at the point that I have created a spreadsheet with the most common knife steels and their optimal HRC. Someone said earlier that if it's $100 they expect to hire HRC. I feel if you're going to present a steal like m390 then you need to have the proper HRC regardless of cost of knife.
I have the mini version. Only complaint is that the titanium clip is really tight and hard to get over pants pockets. Ketuo was super helpful, and I was able to bend it, which helped. I would like for them to change the spring constant of the clip though. It needs to deflect easier at a lower force.
Every 5 blades should be hardness checked and labeled the batches. Hey guess what. Subpar heat treatment should constitute a blem product and a discount.
If you're asking me for more than $100, I'm asking for 60+ HRC. Period. Not "Oh, you might get lucky and get an acceptable heat treat." 60 MINIMUM.
Also a small correction: 60 +/-2 is a 5 point range, not 4 (58-62).
The ten dollar orange Ozark trail has 61 I believe, 😂😂😂😂
I ordered one of those from WMK and had to send it back. It worked great at first, but it started to mess up. You could press the button to close it, but the blade would drop. You literally had to close it with your hand. The best I could tell was something was getting bound up. That black blade is DEFINITELY not DLC
Looks like if Mansory designed a knife.
The bit you're referring to, is a flathead screwdriver wrapped with a copious amount of electrical tape.
It's one of the few times I actually like the smaller one better. I really dig this knife.
Blade Length:
2.91” (7.4 cm)
Handle Length:
4.05” (10.3 cm)
Overall Length:
6.96” (17.7 cm)
Blade Material:
Bohler M390
Blade Hardness:
HRC 59~61
Blade Finish:
Tic Coating, Bead Blast
Handle Material:
6AL-4V Titanium
Handle Inlay:
Shred Carbon Fiber
Pocket Clip:
6AL-4V Titanium
Pivot:
Ceramic Ball Bearing
Lock Type:
Button-Actuated Liner Lock
Weight:
3.45 oz (98 g)
9.8 on the slap
Love the shredded carbon fiber ❤❤
Does that wide flipper tab make the ergos as uncomfortable as it looks? It looks like it would create a lot of space between the first two fingers.
Is the vosteed raccoon a top liner lock or a compression lock?
Someone else can verify, but I believe Vosteed uses the term “top liner lock” for their button actuated compression lock. Their Raccoon is available with several locks, including this one.
Coming in off the thumbnail, my prediction: pocket clip.
Looks cool, but 59-61 is too low for M390. Need a minimum of y0, preferably 61.
I don't understand why they are treating M390 to an HRC of 58-61?
MC, what was the one thing? You listed 2 1/2 to 3 things by my account: button compression lock instead of liner, lock, hire HRC, and clearly listing the HRC.
I love it 😮
MC while these knives may be fine but since I’ve gotten the EXCALIBER in hand it’s difficult for me to like other knives you’ve set a high bar for all these companies to compete with!!!
Could you or anybody do a review of this knife or if you’ve already done a review? Can you guys tell me if it’s good or not? Are there a better knife around this price? With the crossbar lock that you recommend instead of this. Tenable Knives | SKU: T1006V7
Estimated Shipping Date: February 4th - Tenable Shard Cross Bar Lock Amber PEI Handle (3.47'' Damascus Blade) Kim Ning Design-T1006V7
Why don't manufacturers just post the numbers for plain and coated. It's a bit more text, or at most 1 additional line of text, coated - x-x.
It's because of management thinking. Treat others like a mushroom.
This might be a hot take, but I think any hardness number in the spec sheet that isn't the actual measurement from your particular blade is completely meaningless. How do you know they're not pulling a lionsteel? 😂 I have a Kizer in S35VN and I love the design, but the edge retention is dogshit. Like, on par or worse than 8cr13mov. I've seen a guy test another Kizer, and even though they will swear up and down that it's 58+ hrc, that one was 51.
aesthetically displeasing 🤒
Why dont these knife companies just ask spyderco how to do the compression lock the right way you would think spyderco would want to help these Chinese companies with the compression lock and the round blade hole im just playin yall great video man 👍
IMO, Nothing screams gimmick and cheap more than CF inlays.
This design is definitely not my yum