Steeltoez83 testing log

[Steeltoez83]

I just finished up a two day experiment with my magnamax mule. The test was a modification of what I normally do. Magnamax hasn’t found its way into the hands of the public majority, therefore modifications were made. I opted for a direct comparison against what I feel are above average heat treats in the spyderco lineup. The Aeb-l mule set at 62-63 rockwell actually outcut maganacut in my testing years ago. Plus its also the same size/model as the magnamax mule. Also included in the test were my pm2 in rex76 and 15V. My manix and shaman hit opposite ends of the spectrum for 15V, the pm2 is the happy middle ground and the reason why it gets tested frequently.

The overall mean average of all 3 samples is 425 in terms of pure wear resistance. My 20% rule for ice chopping hits a metric of 85 at the 425 average. I used a random wheel spinner to set the order of operations of all 4 knives. Magnamax, 15V, Aeb-l, and Rex 76 would be the order for sharpening, slicing, chopping, and evaluating. All 4 knives sharpened on my 1k super vit just like normal, and 85 cuts were made on my sanding roll for each knife.

Next I did 85 chops on my ice block to simulate rougher real world use. Just imagine your daily workload being significant, and these 4 knives were within arms reach. The Aeb-l mule took on 24% impacts, the rex76/15V it was 18% in comparison to overall wear resistance. Normally I only hit the ice at 20% and its usually 100 or less hits. This test had 340 hits on the ice which might have affected usual impact forces. I did my best to keep it as even as possible. Falls under common cause variation.

I proceeded to keep cutting my sandpaper to see where all the edges fail. The first to go was the Aeb-l at 280 units of work. Percentage wise, this dealt with the most abuse based on percentages, but 280 is a great score. Under the 20% calculation, I would assume the efficiency score to reach the mid to high 80 percentile range with the Aeb-l. Magnamax was able to keep going until it reached 380 units of total work. 380 units of work from 430 hits around 88% efficiency. However I feel the impacts were less than they normally would be. Id knock in down a few percentage points to 86%. In my mind this demonstrates similar strength and toughness to its Aeb-l brother.

The rex 76/15V only made it to 390. Now 390/465 is 84% efficiency. However the ice hits were 85/465 which was only 18% instead of 20%. And since the 340 ice hits im categorizing as weaker than usual- efficiency scores go down to 78%.

The key takeaway from this test, is that magnamax has attributes that carry over well to real world use. Even against samples that have wear resistance advantages- this case its an 8% difference, magnamax is just more efficient against compounding variables that accelerate blunting. Im hoping others get to check this steel out bcuz it offers a lot of value towards the end user.

[Steeltoez83]

Today I purchased a 15V lightweight manix along with the crucarta version. My thread hasn’t represented cruwear and that’s about to change. Whether we want to admit it or not FOMO is a real issue in the knife world. I originally committed to a yojumbo in 15V but decided against it. Spyderco has crucarta versions of several models available including the manix. And with the 15V manix available right now- I figured a head to head battle would be a creative way to showcase how much you are actually missing out if you go the crucarta route instead.

Cruwear scored 360 in my previous testing results and 15V did 460, figured we can average it at 410. And since im trying to replicate real world use simulation- ice block testing on the first four edges. Factory edge, first edge, second edge, and third edge will all have slices and ice chops attached to them at increasing percentages. 10%, 13%, 16%, and 20% of the 410 projected average. The 5th test will be longevity testing to see which steel rebounds back better at 100 slice intervals.

[Cycletroll]

Looking forward to this testing of two of my favorite steels!

[Steeltoez83]

My 15V manix arrived yesterday. Here it is side by side with the crucarta variation. I have a few obligations to attend to, therefore testing will begin a little later than I prefer. Right now im trying to predict what the edge retention numbers will be for the next 8 tests.

[Steeltoez83]

Before I provide the results from the first round of testing- figured now would be the best opportunity to discuss a few precursors. Probability is a topic I have addressed on my Instagram numerous times, not so much here. In a normal distribution, data collection of a given population resembles what experts refer to as a bell curve. Realize that half the population or in this case manufactured goods will have 50% above quality, and 50% below average. When we order our knives from our favorite retailer, it is literally a 50-50 chance the odds will provide us with an above average quality product. For example lets imagine 1,000 manix lightweights in 15V were produced. We would draw a center line on our chart that tracks performance straight down the middle. And for entertainment purposes lets just say every knife was able to go thru rigorous testing and evaluation. And the histogram would gradually be composed of all 1,000 samples of performance data whether cut testing, hardness values, or another evaluation method. 95% of the overall samples would fall within the shape of the bell on the chart. On the far left side of the bell we have tiny little wings that actually represented the lowest end of the performance spectrum. The remaining 5% has to be split evenly on both the right and left sides of the bell shaped curve. I could go into more detailed description of the formulas for the standard deviation of distribution, but that defeats the purpose of simplicity. The odds of receiving a 15V lightweight manix that is at the upper echelon of performance is only 2.5%. 50 knives out of a possible 1,000 will be at the extreme ends of the spectrum. I have no choice where the sample that I receive operates within the bell curve. The performance range for 15V has been 440 to 495 over several tested samples. I can only test the sample I purchased and draw my conclusions from there.

Last time I cut tested cruwear the final score was 360. The 15V pm2 scored around 460-465 which means it has a 100 cut lead in projected cut test metrics. The ice whacks are set at a mean average of 410 for performance value of both knives. For the sake of competition I think its better to use the same number of strikes because peak performance isn’t established yet, it’s a goal that I will achieve in subsequent tests. The odds are in the favor of 15V for both cut sanding roll cuts and ice whack absorption blows. Therefore cruwear will need to showcase performance at 80% or higher to win the round requirements. For example lets say cruwear achieved 180 units of work and 15V achieved 210- then we calculate 180 divided by 210 and we get 85.7% making cruwear the winner. If cruwear only achieved 165 units of work- then it scores only 78.6% therefore making 15V the winner. Obviously this is a departure from what I normally do, but its my way of evening the playing field for a fair competition at these early stages.

[Steeltoez83]

First I whacked the ice block 41 times with each knife. Both knives could clean cut printer paper against the grain, no winner here. 41 slices each on the sanding roll and the cruwear retained sharpness closer to its starting position over its 15V competitor- winner cruwear. 15V was able to go 70 more slices to reach total test failure, cruwear was only able to go half of that. 117 out of 152 means cruwear was at 77% of 15V- therefore 15V takes the W in round 1.

[Steeltoez83]

Cruwear takes the victory for round 2. 30 units of work separated 15V from what cruwear accomplished in this round. 53 slices and 53 whacks on the ice- cruwear still cut printer paper against the grain slightly better than 15V. Historically knives that hold on to their front end sharpness test better in my longevity testing platform. 117 units of work to 176 is not that big a leap in performance i normally get from factory edge to first edge. However to the end user they would notice the edge lasting longer than before.

[Steeltoez83]

For the rest of the month I decided to take a departure from my normal standard operating procedures in regards to testing. Those familiar with my methodologies should have noticed the agility framework I operate from. And how im willing to try new concepts to see if they produce metrics of value. I decided to use an angle guide set at 13 degrees for not only the cruwear vs 15V battle, but for 3 other knives previously tested as well. I have tested the spy27 manix and the magnamax mule and my results are 99.2% of what Ive found with my freehand edges Ive stated were around 13 dps. I set the apex on a 400 super vit with my own freehand edge, and then 15 passes per side on the 1k with the 13 degree angle guide. I have done the same protocol for round 3 of 15V vs cruwear which will be another post with some visual aids. Cruwear landed at 82.8% of 15V which made them the winner for round 3.

[Red Leader]

Great work, and I'm following along!

[Steeltoez83]

Round 4 goes to cruwear. 82 slices followed by 82 hits on ice and cruwear was able to cut 130 more times. 15V hit 60 more than the cruwear to reach 354. 294/354 is 83% thus making cruwear the victor for this round.

[Steeltoez83]

Im six rounds finished with longevity testing. Both steels are passing acceptance criteria, cruwear having more sharpness at the edge at this point in testing. Still more testing to finish up.

Once im done with this, the plan is to take a deep dive into the wonderful world of serrations for this thread.

[Red Leader]

Once im done with this, the plan is to take a deep dive into the wonderful world of serrations for this thread.

The hero that we didn’t know that we needed!


I will be very excited to start seeing some more testing going towards SE. Thank you!

[JARHEAD]

Screenshot_20250904_203755_Gallery.jpg

Im six rounds finished with longevity testing. Both steels are passing acceptance criteria, cruwear having more sharpness at the edge at this point in testing. Still more testing to finish up.

Once im done with this, the plan is to take a deep dive into the wonderful world of serrations for this thread.

Impatiently waiting for the results!

[sal]

Hey Steeltoez,

You had asked, on another thread, what I had planned for serration testing. I'm still working out the plan, but it will include knives with teeth, the Sharpmaker, and probably some convincing. I'll try to get it going next week. The plan is for Pete, Erica and you.

sal

[Steeltoez83]

I happen to be on vacation next week Sal. Getting to test a personal favorite of mine (leafjumper) for the week should help me create benchmarks for future serration testing I plan to do. 3 names come to mind when it comes to serrations- Lynn Thompson (cold steel) Tom Veff, and obviously the spyder edges here. My starting point is an off shoot of how i was testing steels about 6 years ago. I personally haven't seen a comparison between spydercos spyder edge and cold steels serration design. This was always a bucket list project for me. Im a guy that needs little convincing on whatever project you have in mind. Serrations have value, a serrated robin 2 served as my work knife for years.

[Steeltoez83]

Cruwear is able to pass round 8, but the 15V does not. Therefore cruwear is the overall winner in this friendly competition. Since calculated short cuts were taken- there's no reason to keep testing the crucarta manix. Id assume 1 more round is all it can take. Realistically 8 days of honest work aka 100 slice equivalent would be where both steels become a danger to its operator.

[Pacu0420]

Those are somewhat surprising results. If I were to have guessed, my pick would have been 15v. But in my (very) casual testing, Cruwear really impressed me.

My testing isn't exactly scientific. I find similar size fir tree branches, chop of the ends, then whittle all the knots and bark off. I feel like it represents fairly hard use. The three steels that stood out were Cruwear, MagnaCut, and Spy27.

I've recently started following your Youtube channel. Great work! Very informative

[Steeltoez83]

I appreciate the kind words and the follow. Both 15V and cruwear are drive it like you stole it kind of steels imo designed to be used.

[Ramonade]

Oh man, I missed a lot ! Which means you worked a lot during that time.

Excellent read, thanks again Steeltoez :)

[Steeltoez83]

Thanks for the compliments Ramonade.