stonewash/acidwash

[ladybug93]

why doesn’t spyderco do this more? why so many satin finishes? i don’t want maxamet because it’s a little too specialized for me and not stainless, and i just don’t like the shaman at all. i would love to see some more models with stonewash, especially in the salt lineup. stonewashed knives and salt knives both beg to be used, so it would be great to combine them.

[VooDooChild]

I really like stonewash as well.

[JD Spydo]

When I got my M390 Military model in a trade the guy I got it from did an "acid-wash" on the blade and it turned out looking pretty cool. Also it continues to look nice even during hard, demanding uses. Needless to say I do like the looks of Acid Wash and StoneWashed blades both.

I think that the reason Spyderco leaves that up to the individual is because those are options that are usually only appreciated by the most avid of knife aficionados. Probably only about 5% to 10% of all knife buyers would even appreciate that type of feature when purchasing a new knife. Most of Spyderco's great models are already in a price range that strains people's budgets as it is. A feature like AcidWash or Stonewash would probably add between $20 to $40 on each unit.

I think Spyderco is wise just to leave options like that up to the end line user. And this is coming from a guy who likes those two options.

[ladybug93]

I think that the reason Spyderco leaves that up to the individual is because those are options that are usually only appreciated by the most avid of knife aficionados. Probably only about 5% to 10% of all knife buyers would even appreciate that type of feature when purchasing a new knife. Most of Spyderco's great models are already in a price range that strains people's budgets as it is. A feature like AcidWash or Stonewash would probably add between $20 to $40 on each unit.

I think Spyderco is wise just to leave options like that up to the end line user. And this is coming from a guy who likes those two options.

i understand what you’re saying, but many budget knives are stonewashed or acid washed. and when i say budget, i’m talking about the $20-30 range. i don’t think it should add much to the cost. but who knows... look what happened to the shaman. i don’t know what all goes into the process, but it seems like it would be easier to do this type of finish because it wouldn’t have to be perfectly machined to the pristine satin finish.

anyway, i think that making one of the most expensive standard production knives and a specialty steel like maxamet in stonewash doesn’t give a fair representation for the demand of this finish. if spyderco put out a pm2 or para 3 (lw) in stonewash along with the satin finish in the same models, i bet they’d see that people would happily buy them.

just a thought.

[Dazen]

I love when they take it a step further and do a mirror finish and then stonewash it, like on the Slysz Bowie.

[JD Spydo]

I think that the reason Spyderco leaves that up to the individual is because those are options that are usually only appreciated by the most avid of knife aficionados. Probably only about 5% to 10% of all knife buyers would even appreciate that type of feature when purchasing a new knife. Most of Spyderco's great models are already in a price range that strains people's budgets as it is. A feature like AcidWash or Stonewash would probably add between $20 to $40 on each unit.

I think Spyderco is wise just to leave options like that up to the end line user. And this is coming from a guy who likes those two options.

i understand what you’re saying, but many budget knives are stonewashed or acid washed. and when i say budget, i’m talking about the $20-30 range. i don’t think it should add much to the cost. but who knows... look what happened to the shaman. i don’t know what all goes into the process, but it seems like it would be easier to do this type of finish because it wouldn’t have to be perfectly machined to the pristine satin finish.

anyway, i think that making one of the most expensive standard production knives and a specialty steel like maxamet in stonewash doesn’t give a fair representation for the demand of this finish. if spyderco put out a pm2 or para 3 (lw) in stonewash along with the satin finish in the same models, i bet they’d see that people would happily buy them.

just a thought.

You might be right. But do consider that the small percentage of the overall market of knife buyers that would want a stonewash or acidwash finish on a blade would not be enough to make it profitable for the producer. I could be wrong but recently I spoke to two of my hunting/fishing buddies about my M390 Military model with the acidwash feature and neither one of them were even aware of stonewashed or acidwashed blades. And these are guys who are avid outdoor sportsmen, hunters, fishermen types that are fans of knives and guns both. Not to the extent that I am or that you probably are but both of them have bought more than their share of blades over the years.

Knowing those guys the way that I do I'm doubtful if that feature would mean anything at all to them. Because like I said that is something that the most avid of knife afis seem to appreciate. I can't tell you how many knives that I've bought, sold and traded over the past 15 years. But it's a big number if I sat down and tried to recollect most of those transactions. And out of all of those knives I've bought, sold and traded I think probably less than 10 overall out of over 1000 were either stonewashed or acidwashed.

[gull wing]

Stonewash as in the "old" CRK regular.
Some call it the "industrial look". Beautiful.
By the way, they don't use that look anymore.

[araneae]

I wouldn't mind it on H1 knives which scratch the second you use them. Eventually they're a matrix of scratches, which doesn't bother me, but plenty of people probably don't enjoy. If Kershaw can do it on $20 knives it must be a relatively inexpensive process.

[bearfacedkiller]

I can refinish a satin finish myself without much hassle. Redoing most other finishes is a challenge. I will always prefer a satin finish and I am often reluctant to buy a stonewashed knife. Acid wash? Yuck. Looks terrible to me.

[ladybug93]

I can refinish a satin finish myself without much hassle. Redoing most other finishes is a challenge. I will always prefer a satin finish and I am often reluctant to buy a stonewashed knife. Acid wash? Yuck. Looks terrible to me.

a satin finish is the only type you feel the need to refinish because it gets messed up so easily. stonewash always looks nice, even after heavy use.

but, to each their own. i’m suggesting an addition; not a replacement.

[bearfacedkiller]

How does a satin finish get messed up easier than stonewash?

[ZrowsN1s]

Love stonewash. One of the best things about the base model Shaman is the stonewash clip and blade. Really gives it something extra.

I also just got a Microtech with their 'Apocalyptic' finish which I would describe as 'extra stone washed'. They might even acid wash it a little, hard to tell. Looks great though. My new favorite finish.

[ladybug93]

How does a satin finish get messed up easier than stonewash?

it shows scratches easier, which would make a person want to restore it to its pristine shine. stonewashed blades beg to be used without care of scratches.

[bearfacedkiller]

Stonewashed blades aren’t harder so they scratch just the same. Many folks seem to think that they hide the scratches better. I don’t think I notice much difference.

I have wanted to refinish a stonewashed blade a few times. My Maxamet Manix has had some light corrosion that I wanted to remove. Would have been easy with a satin finish.

People seem to like it so I hope Spyderco keeps doing it. I’ll keep avoiding them when I can. :)

[ladybug93]

one of my favorite budget knives is d2 with stonewash and i have been fortunate not to have corrosion issues with it. i probably wouldn’t suggest stonewash for a non-stainless steel, but it’s fine on steels like s30v and lc200n, etc.

[Notsurewhy]

I've always thought stonewash looks like the galvanized trash cans of my youth. Not something I'm willing to pay a premium for.

However, I'm all for more variety if the market demands it. I want everyone to get the knife they want, not the knife I want.

[Wartstein]

Love stonewash. One of the best things about the base model Shaman is the stonewash clip and blade. Really gives it something extra.

...

I am with you!! Since I am not too much into steels and S30V is totally fine with me, of all the Shamans out there I´d actually get the "base model" over all the others, just for the stone washed looks... (I WILL get eventually, that is... :D )

[ladybug93]

Love stonewash. One of the best things about the base model Shaman is the stonewash clip and blade. Really gives it something extra.

...

I am with you!! Since I am not too much into steels and S30V is totally fine with me, of all the Shamans out there I´d actually get the "base model" over all the others, just for the stone washed looks... (I WILL get eventually, that is... :D )

it’s the only thing i like about the shaman.

[013]

one of my favorite budget knives is d2 with stonewash and i have been fortunate not to have corrosion issues with it. i probably wouldn’t suggest stonewash for a non-stainless steel, but it’s fine on steels like s30v and lc200n, etc.

I also have a budget d2 w/stonewash & It's been fine. Tool maintenance is key.
I like that with stonewash, it's already "pre-scratched" so that it makes it that much easier to begin use. At the same time, satin is much easier than stonewash to touch-up to make it look new. Although I've never touched up any since I haven't found the need. I suppose if you're trying to re-sell?
When it comes down to it,.... I like all types.
Gimmeh' all types