Spyderco Stretch in action

[anagarika]

Jon,

Thank you for sharing!
There was an Aogami Super Stretch in the past ... as you probably know already .
We can dream about shirogami but according to Murray Carter, the HT is tricky to get it right (and why many does aogami but not shirogami), I’m not sure a factory setting that runs it in large batches is ideal for that.

[JonLeBlanc]

Jon,

Thank you for sharing!
There was an Aogami Super Stretch in the past ... as you probably know already .
We can dream about shirogami but according to Murray Carter, the HT is tricky to get it right (and why many does aogami but not shirogami), I’m not sure a factory setting that runs it in large batches is ideal for that.

Anagarika you're quite welcome, I love talking about 52100 lol. And yes I do know about the Aogami Stretch, it's one of those knives I wish I could snag. They pop up on various secondary markets from time to time so maybe one day... I was not aware that Shirogami's HT is tricky, and that's a shame, but as I recall 52100 isn't the easiest formula to heat treat either, and it seems like if anyone can do it in a factory setting, it's Spyderco with it's tremendous experience and top-notch facilities. I think it's just something about the simplest carbon steels like 1095 and 52100 that appeal to me, and while I've never actually used White steel, it's very similar compositionally to those other two US steels, so I reckon the performance is about the same. And if it could ever be used in a Stretch I'd love to see Spyderco just go whole hog and forgo the cladding!

[anagarika]

Jon,

Thank you for sharing!
There was an Aogami Super Stretch in the past ... as you probably know already .
We can dream about shirogami but according to Murray Carter, the HT is tricky to get it right (and why many does aogami but not shirogami), I’m not sure a factory setting that runs it in large batches is ideal for that.

Anagarika you're quite welcome, I love talking about 52100 lol. And yes I do know about the Aogami Stretch, it's one of those knives I wish I could snag. They pop up on various secondary markets from time to time so maybe one day... I was not aware that Shirogami's HT is tricky, and that's a shame, but as I recall 52100 isn't the easiest formula to heat treat either, and it seems like if anyone can do it in a factory setting, it's Spyderco with it's tremendous experience and top-notch facilities. I think it's just something about the simplest carbon steels like 1095 and 52100 that appeal to me, and while I've never actually used White steel, it's very similar compositionally to those other two US steels, so I reckon the performance is about the same. And if it could ever be used in a Stretch I'd love to see Spyderco just go whole hog and forgo the cladding!

Agree on many points. 52100 HT isn’t the simplest HT either and it seems Spyderco has done well here. If anyone can do Shirogami in factory setting, it’s Spyderco. That’s why I said we can dream (like we dreamed 52100 long time back).

[wrdwrght]

Like you, Jon and Chris, I love the Stretch (both generations, though I now favor the second) and I love carbon steels (what a wondrous sharpening response 1095, O1, 52100, and Super Blue have!).

I do wish we could have a 52100 Stretch. 52100 being unlikely (I content myself with a 52100 PM2), the Super Blue model is the only near-equivalent among the Japanese steels Spyderco has offered.

I had one but the grind lines on the laminate were an insulting abomination, so I gave that Stretch to my niece’s boyfriend because he liked how it cut (I content myself with an SB Caly 3.5 and an SB Calypso Jr., each unlaminated).

I would be all over an unlaminated SB Stretch, or one in some other unlaminated Japanese equivalent.

What equivalents might there be?

[JonLeBlanc]

Like you, Jon and Chris, I love the Stretch (both generations, though I now favor the second) and I love carbon steels (what a wondrous sharpening response 1095, O1, 52100, and Super Blue have!).

I do wish we could have a 52100 Stretch. 52100 being unlikely (I content myself with a 52100 PM2), the Super Blue model is the only near-equivalent among the Japanese steels Spyderco has offered.

I had one but the grind lines on the laminate were an insulting abomination, so I gave that Stretch to my niece’s boyfriend because he liked how it cut (I content myself with an SB Caly 3.5 and an SB Calypso Jr., each unlaminated).

I would be all over an unlaminated SB Stretch, or one in some other unlaminated Japanese equivalent.

What equivalents might there be?

Yeah, the laminate lines themselves on my V-Toku Stretch are not even, but it doesn't bother me too much. But I'm with you on the idea of an unlaminated run, mostly because corrosion resistance is really nowhere on my list of preferences, but that's just me. In terms of carbon steel option, the ones you listed are pretty much it, although again, for the Seki-City models, Japanese steels are the only ones that will make it. That's why I think it would be cool if Spyderco could expand into the White steel market. It would be new to Spyderco, and they don't seem to be afraid to experiment with different steels if in fact it can be done.

[Enactive]

I am totally with you guys in supporting Spyderco's continued use of carbon steel in some folders, but I much prefer the laminates. For me it has to do with a few things.

1. Laminates with stainless cladding help protect the pivot and lock mechanism from corrosion in damp or corrosive environments.
2. I have used laminated steel carving knives and tools for a couple decades and I like how it works.
3. I appreciate how the lamination lines reveal the manufacturing and I think that the irregularities add 'poetry' to the knife.

I too love the sharpening response and edge characteristics of carbon steels. I live in a wet environment and I also love LC200n! I would love a Stretch 2 Salt!

Funny thing tho, I love my VToku Stretch. The steel performs great and I appreciate the irregularities in the lamination lines.

In any case we are all lucky to have Spyderco providing amazing knives in a range of cool steels!

[wrdwrght]

OK, OK, I’ll entertain the idea that I’m cutting off my nose to spite my face regarding laminates. I really do want to try HAP40 and V-Toku2... Irregularities as art, that could sell me. :)

[JonLeBlanc]

OK, OK, I’ll entertain the idea that I’m cutting off my nose to spite my face regarding laminates. I really do want to try HAP40 and V-Toku2... Irregularities as art, that could sell me. :)

I don't know much about HAP40, can you tell me how it compares to V-Toku?

[Albatross]

OK, OK, I’ll entertain the idea that I’m cutting off my nose to spite my face regarding laminates. I really do want to try HAP40 and V-Toku2... Irregularities as art, that could sell me. :)

I don't know much about HAP40, can you tell me how it compares to V-Toku?

In a nutshell, Hap40 holds an edge longer and takes a more acute edge, similar to M4 in that regard.

[wrdwrght]

OK, OK, I’ll entertain the idea that I’m cutting off my nose to spite my face regarding laminates. I really do want to try HAP40 and V-Toku2... Irregularities as art, that could sell me. :)

I don't know much about HAP40, can you tell me how it compares to V-Toku?

I’m as in the dark as you, and just as curious.

[anagarika]

I’d suggest watching Michael Christy and Shawn (Deadboxhero) videos. From them, one will get good educated guess about the difference between V-Toku2 and HAP-40.

[wrdwrght]

I’d suggest watching Michael Christy and Shawn (Deadboxhero) videos. From them, one will get good educated guess about the difference between V-Toku2 and HAP-40.

Thanks, Chris.

[Doeswhateveraspidercan]

Shawn is awesome will look at the other guys stuff too. Thanks