Spyderco Forums

@dialex

Ah, I totally forgot about the Pika! ATS-55? That's also a very good steel for users but there's much less Cobalt, Chrome and Molybdenium in the alloy. ATS-55 also contains Copper, which can't be found in VG-10 or N690.

Sorry, I don't want to sound like a wise guy :o

Cheers, Rob

Hi Rob. Thanks for the correction(s). I was thinking ATS-55 because of the cobalt, but I guess you're right, VG-10 comes even closer.

Sounds very good Rob, do you know if it is sold to custom knifemakers and by who?

I find this to be a very atractive knife. Great style and it looks very practical. I am looking forward to working with the N690 steel. I have read good thing about it. In Amsterdam we handled another Fox design that was well made and had a very smooth action.

I think this knife will appeal to a lot of people as it combines style, a good lock, a Spyderco hole and, problably a faire price. It has surtainly shot to almost the top of my wishlist (can't beat Caly in Japonese super steel just jet.).

Great effort, I hope to see more knives come out of this trans-atlantic cooperation.

JD

So, made for europeans by europeans with all the great american Spyderco stuff in it. And I like the looks too! :)

made by europeans for europeans

does it mean it will be cheaper in Europe? :rolleyes:

Hello,

very nice, I am curious what the price gonna be. :confused:
Hopefully the quality is gonna be better than average FOX knives.
Cant wait to hold it in hands :D

Piet.S wrote:Sounds very good Rob, do you know if it is sold to custom knifemakers and by who?

Hi Piet!

I buy the steel from an Austrian knifemaker, because here in Austria Böhler won't sell small quantities. You normally can only get "whole pieces" which means 2 x 3 m :eek: A little bit too large to put it in your vise :D

Böhler has a branch in Amsterdam. I think the best way to find out where you can get the steel in Holland is asking them. If they don't sell it by themselves they should at least be able to tell you where to get it in Holland. This is their contact:

Böhler B.V
Isolatorweg 30-32 (Westpoortnummer 3288), NL-1014 AS Amsterdam
Postal Adress: Postbus 8420, NL-1005 AK Amsterdam
Tel: (+3120) 5817400
Fax: (+3120) 5817450
info@bohler.nl
http://www.bohler.nl

If you have no luck at all, you could also try some shops in Germany which sell knifemaker's supply. Only the price will be most likely higher and naturally also the shipping costs.

I hope that helps :)

Cheers, Rob

Thank you very much Rob, You are a gent.
I visited your website, like everyone here should do and learn about the merits of knifemaking. I enjoyed your work, really. Your friction folder is a knife to be proud of. Its shows your craftmanship clearly and makes one wonder what will be next. Keep up the good work, I think your on the right track.

Thank you very much for the compliment :)

Cheers, Rob

wow -- what an elegant, beautiful knife!

i'm really psyched to see a spyderco with N690... i've been really impressed by the way that stuff performs.

Anyone know what edge-types might be made?

Senate wrote:posted by Joyce in another thread but I thought it deserved its own thread! :)

italian made and Volpe means fox but that's all we know...

what's the wood on it?
which steel blade?
who's the designer?

we want to know everything and we need a better pic too... :D

I can't find the thread in which Joyce mentioned the volpe. Please, can You help me ?

anson argyris wrote:I can't find the thread in which Joyce mentioned the volpe. Please, can You help me ?

first time I saw it was in this one:
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.p ... 894&page=3

Is there any chance of seeing a full sized image of the Volpe?
It's starting to grow on me, even with the a-symmetrical wood 'onserts'. :D

Wouter

I was in Maniago, Italy recently, visiting FOX company. I was very happy to meet Volpe designer Gabriele Frati, who kindly showed me the company and enthusiastically talked about his knives, designs and future projects.

I'd just like to say, that though some people stated, Fox is not a commercial company. They manufacture in their own 2 facilities, in which they have high tech cnc machines, cnc grinding machines and many different numeric control machines. Even the screws on Volpe are made using the cnc machine.
As far as Extrema ratio, they have all their blades made in Maniago and just assemble them in their warehouse. So there is no way that they could have better tempered steel, which is the same N690Co.

Gabriele told me, that in his opinion, the N690Co steel is more similar to 154CM, then the 440C. They are now also testing and experimenting with S30V and other steels and are very determined to maintain highest quality in their knives. Anyone seeing their new FKMD line (FOX Military Division) will understand the quality i am talking about.


Personally i can't wait for Volpe to hit the decks. I am sure Frati family years of commitment to knife making, their enthusiasm and Mediterranean temper will contribute another Spyderco hit. :cool:


P.S. This is my first post here. I've been reading the forum for a long time and learned a lot from you guys. Thank you for sharing so much knowledge and enthusiasm. You have made another Spydernut :spyder: !

N 690 is a martensistic special steel with 17% chrome and it differentiates from AISI 440C steel thanks to a higher level of molybden (double). Not only molybden is a strong generator of carbides (improving cutting features) but increases resistance to corrosion in those steels highly connected to chrome. Moreover vanadium and cobalt alloys add ons increase the performances of this steel
(vanadium is a also carbides generator with resulting increase in resistance to wear and therefore capacity of keeping edge sharpness for longer; cobalt prevents granulosity at high temperatures and improves drawing capacity and high temperatures resistance) .

This steel features high resistance to corrosion and wear, keeps a sharpened edge for longer, can be easily polished and features also high levels in hardness, over 60 HRC (more than traditional steel AISI 440 C) that can be reached through the thermic treatment of tempering. These are the reasons why its employ is oriented towards blades and professional knives production. Thanks to the peculiar edge keeping quality and to oxidation resistance this steel is used in industrial kniving (food and fishing industries) and for butchering jobs. In the medical area, it’s mainly used for surgical instruments production.

Gamo
Welcome to the forum and my compliments for a great first post.
However, the fact that ER gets their blades in Maniago does not mean that they have the same heat treatment as those used by Fox, Lion or w.h.y. The exact treatment is chosen to bring out and emphasise certain characteristics in the steel, the choice is obviously down to the designer and buyer.
I have worked extensively with small companies similar to Fox in Italy and they often present themselves as manufacturers, the reality may depend on what one means by manufacturer.

Welcome aboard Gamo and thanks for the infos.

this is in the catalogue..there are talks for #'s already..i think about $170..i'm in..i like the olive wood