PM A11 vs k390 edge geometry and experience

[Skidoosh]

Hello All,
I'm working on getting a handle on my pm A11 mule. I hear it mentioned that K390 is a bit tougher than PM A11. Has anyone experienced chipping or issues with a PM A11 edge as compared to K390 or what has your experience been? I plan on going 30 degrees inclusive with the edge.

[Larrin]

Whether K390 is actually tougher than A11/10V I can't say, but toughness tests of 10V show it having similar or higher toughness than many PM stainless steels so if you haven't had chipping issues with those you likely don't need to worry about A11 or 10V.

[TomAiello]

I've never had chips in either my K390 or A11 mules. Ive used the K390 harder than the A11, but I haven't been shy with either of them.

I don't think that 30 degrees is going to be a problem for your A11, but heck, if it is, definitely post here so other people can learn--that's what mules are for.

[legOFwhat?]

Hello Skidoosh,

Although I dont own any K390 (yet) I have several pma11 mules. I have chipped a couple in different spots, few around the 1st inch of the tip and one around the "belly". These chips were due to my clumsiness dropping them on the garage floor while fitting handles, however they sharpened out really nice. I've reprofilled them all to 30 inclusive and they stay crazy sharp with course or polished bevels.

If I may suggest, be very careful and cover the edges while fitting those scales. Cardboard and painter's tape works well as does rubber trim channel. Can't stress this enough and I'm sure you'll already know this but want to throw it out there...can't hurt right?

As a confession, I foolishly decided to take out a scratch on the handle by running it across the bench polisher. The polisher grabbed the finger guard, yanked it out of my hand, slammed the back wall and skidded across the garage floor. Luckily, I wasn't hurt but the edge got damage and new scratches on handle and blade were quite visible. I'm adamant about safety but I let it slip...lesson learned. Good luck and I hope you share your end results!

[Skidoosh]

Hello Skidoosh,

Although I dont own any K390 (yet) I have several pma11 mules. I have chipped a couple in different spots, few around the 1st inch of the tip and one around the "belly". These chips were due to my clumsiness dropping them on the garage floor while fitting handles, however they sharpened out really nice. I've reprofilled them all to 30 inclusive and they stay crazy sharp with course or polished bevels.

If I may suggest, be very careful and cover the edges while fitting those scales. Cardboard and painter's tape works well as does rubber trim channel. Can't stress this enough and I'm sure you'll already know this but want to throw it out there...can't hurt right?

As a confession, I foolishly decided to take out a scratch on the handle by running it across the bench polisher. The polisher grabbed the finger guard, yanked it out of my hand, slammed the back wall and skidded across the garage floor. Luckily, I wasn't hurt but the edge got damage and new scratches on handle and blade were quite visible. I'm adamant about safety but I let it slip...lesson learned. Good luck and I hope you share your end results!

Good stuff leg, I'm looking forward to getting my mule up and running. You will want to pick up some K390 at some point, it is well worth it.

[VashHash]

https://youtu.be/gpAW6JtlJNE

These guys do something interesting with K390.

Not spyderco but still pretty impressive considering the HC rating.

[JuPaul]

These guys do something interesting with K390.

Not spyderco but still pretty impressive considering the HC rating.

That video physically hurt to watch! But pretty cool to see what a beating k390 (and that knife in particular) can take.

[VashHash]

One of our members made this video.

https://youtu.be/E-c3LxQbcqg

[legOFwhat?]

Good stuff leg, I'm looking forward to getting my mule up and running. You will want to pick up some K390 at some point, it is well worth it.

K390 and 15v are on the top of my list :D hopefully right after SPY27 mule. Wonder if we'll see a 15v mule?

[Albatross]

Good stuff leg, I'm looking forward to getting my mule up and running. You will want to pick up some K390 at some point, it is well worth it.

K390 and 15v are on the top of my list :D hopefully right after SPY27 mule. Wonder if we'll see a 15v mule?

I sure hope so!

[jpm2]

Good stuff leg, I'm looking forward to getting my mule up and running. You will want to pick up some K390 at some point, it is well worth it.

K390 and 15v are on the top of my list :D hopefully right after SPY27 mule. Wonder if we'll see a 15v mule?

I sure hope so!

Personally, I hope they skip the mule and make a folder I can use at work.

As for comparison, I only have k390, but imagine there's not much difference... maybe a few % each way in properties if equally heat treated.

[PStone]

...

These guys do something interesting with K390.

Not spyderco but still pretty impressive considering the HC rating.

I just watched this yesterday. If you notice at the end, it looks like Spyderco is listed as a new patreon supporter. Maybe we will see some Spyderco knives in future videos. I know they’ve reviewed at least the Maxamet Manix and had good things to say.

[Albatross]

Good stuff leg, I'm looking forward to getting my mule up and running. You will want to pick up some K390 at some point, it is well worth it.

K390 and 15v are on the top of my list :D hopefully right after SPY27 mule. Wonder if we'll see a 15v mule?

I sure hope so!

Personally, I hope they skip the mule and make a folder I can use at work.

As for comparison, I only have k390, but imagine there's not much difference... maybe a few % each way in properties if equally heat treated.

How about both?

BBB says 15V will out-cut Maxamet.

[The Meat man]

I reprofiled my K390 Police 4 down to about 9 ~ 10 dps. I have used it extensively and have experienced very little edge problems.



I am more mindful when using it and I try to be careful when cutting stuff like thick plastic and carving wood. I've damaged the edge a bit a couple times when cutting thick plastic banding. It's not invincible, however it is remarkably strong all things considered.

For general EDC it performs wonderfully, no problems. I love it.

[jpm2]

K390 and 15v are on the top of my list :D hopefully right after SPY27 mule. Wonder if we'll see a 15v mule?

I sure hope so!

Personally, I hope they skip the mule and make a folder I can use at work.

As for comparison, I only have k390, but imagine there's not much difference... maybe a few % each way in properties if equally heat treated.

How about both?

BBB says 15V will out-cut Maxamet.

If they both come out the same time, that's fine... but don't want to wait a year for a folder after the mule... and I have no use for more fixed blades, in any steel. Folders are what I use 99.9% of the time.

I should have clarified the comparison I was talking about, the thread title, k390 and 10v/a11.
I imagine 15v doesn't out cut maxamet by a significant amount.

[Albatross]

I sure hope so!

Personally, I hope they skip the mule and make a folder I can use at work.

As for comparison, I only have k390, but imagine there's not much difference... maybe a few % each way in properties if equally heat treated.

How about both?

BBB says 15V will out-cut Maxamet.

If they both come out the same time, that's fine... but don't want to wait a year for a folder after the mule... and I have no use for more fixed blades, in any steel. Folders are what I use 99.9% of the time.

I should have clarified the comparison I was talking about, the thread title, k390 and 10v/a11.
I imagine 15v doesn't out cut maxamet by a significant amount.

Fair enough.

My bad. Yeah, unless you're doing controlled tests, I doubt you will see a difference in retention or toughness, between 10V, A11, K294, and K390.