New JUNCTION model? PSF-27 Blalde Steel?

[JD Spydo]

I just got through reading a very interesing article in "Knives Illustrated" magazine about a new Spyderco fixed blade. The article was about the new JUNCTION model designed by Gayle Bradley and looks to be an outdoor/sporting version of the STREETBEAT model. I really like the looks of what appears to be a very ergonomic handle and I'm wondering if any of you all have got to test drive one yet?

Also in the article they point out that the JUNCTION model is made with PSF-27 blade steel. I've not yet used a knife with PSF-27 or even heard of it until now and I'm wondering if any of you have had any experience with PSF-27 blade steel? If any of you have used it or know about it they which current blade steel would you compare it to? For instance how would PSF-27 stack up against the S90V that the SOUTHFORK fixed blade is made with?

Spyderco has certainly raised the bar in their fixed blade sector in the past few years and I'm anxious to try out one of these JUNCTION models.

[Doc Dan]

PSF27 is just another name for spray form D2. http://www.zknives.com/knives/steels/st ... hrn=1&gm=0

I love the knife design and it is high on my must have list.

[bearfacedkiller]

I do not have the Junction but it is based on a custom of his called the Packer. I believe it is meant to be a lightweight knife for backpacking. The most interesting thing for me is that it is 2mm blade stock with a 4 inch blade. That is thin and slicey. I really really want one. It looks like a good hunting knife too. I am surprised we haven't heard more about it.

PSF27 is spray formed D2. I have the Bradley Bowie which is also PSF27 and I have used it a ton. I like it a lot. It can take a beating. It is however twice as thick as the Junction. The Junction may not take as much abuse. Edge retention and corrosion resistance both seem good too.

I believe spray forming produces carbides that are in between ingot and powdered metallurgy in size.

[JD Spydo]

Duh!! I guess I should have just done a search engine gathering on PSF-27 :o But I was hoping one of you fellow "steel fanatics" :cool: would have already used a blade made with that steel. But what the heck I'm kind of a fan of D-2 and the two folders I have with that blade steel I really like for the most part. D-2 seems like a slightly harder version of VG-10 to me with the jobs I've done with it. There's a valid reason why custom Knifemaker Bob Dozier is as partial to D-2 blade steel as he is.

The JUNCTION model really does to me have all the appearances of an outdoor/sporting version of the STREETBEAT. I'm not particularly a huge Gayle Bradley fan but there is something about this particular fixed blade model of his that I really do like. I'm looking for this JUNCTION model to be a big seller for Spyderco when it really gets off the ground.

[Mr.B.]

I have a Junction and really like the knife, which is very light and thin, making it especially nice to carry when a light, unobtrusive fixed blade is required. I measured the blade thickness at 2.5mm and the handle thickness at 9.1mm. The weight is 114 grams.

The handle feels good in hand, but it is thin enough that it may be bothersome if extended heavy cutting is necessary. This is just speculation on my part as I have not used the knife in that way. I particularly like the guard on the Junction, as I have unfortunate experience with slippery guardless knives.

Although I have carried the knife frequently the only cutting I have done has been food preparation, including cleaning a couple of shad, hardly a real test. Hopefully this year's bear and deer hunts will offer a better test. My experience with other D-2 blades has been positive, so I expect it will be with PSF-27.