Is this normal for MAXAMET?

[rezman2115]

The link I provided (which hopefully either shows a picture or will take you to the picture) is a 40X magnification of a NATIVE 5 LW in MAXAMET taken from an OMAX compound microscope (did not feel like going to the lab just take take these photos).

As you can see (hopefully), there are many "pits" that are mostly similar in size. My PARA 2 in MAXAMET also shows the same "pits" or "indents".

The pic was taken the day I received it. I contacted the distributor that I purchased it from (I am not sure if I am allowed to specify the distributor, but they are an official Spyderco Distributor) and they have not been able to assist in a way that provided any answers.

If this is a sign of corrosion, then I will no longer use the distributor since they provide sub-optimal products and refuse to enforce their customer service. I am sincerely hoping that is not the case and all MAXAMET blades have this when new.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help!!

[Wartstein]

To be clear: I am not a steel expert.

But to see if I got this right: The knife in a non stainless steel you received shows no signs of corrosion at all when looking at it without magnification, but some minor corrosion in 40x magnification with a microscope, right?

If so: I personally think this is just normal, at least with a non stainless steal - can´t be prevented by a dealer that stores the knife, and can´t be expected that they can... I mean they could not even see it without a microscope, right?

I could be wrong though and I certainly respect your opinion on this

[Wartstein]

BTW: Welcome to the forum :) , and if your follow up posts don´t show up for some time: See here: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=88927

[M Sea]

I have a Maxamet Manix LW and it pitted very quickly. I can’t carry it because of the humidity down here and the fact I am always near or on the saltwater. Its my own fault for not properly researching the steel before I bought it impulsively. I love the knife so I have another one with SPY27 with no issues at all.

[JRinFL]

Hello and welcome.

I took a quick look at my Manix 2 in Maxamet and it looks nothing like what you show in your picture. I have neither the lines or the spots. Perhaps this one did not get the proper blade finish, or there is something else wrong.

[Henry_P]

I wonder how other steels would look at 40x magnification. I'm not sure what "normal" is supposed to look like. For me personally, I wouldn't be concerned, but everyone has different tolerances. I keep my tool steels coated with EDCi and they have no corrosion, at least at the eye level. I guess my main question would be if you have looked at other steels under the same magnification and how do they compare?

[S-3 ranch]

I have a Maxamet Manix LW and it pitted very quickly. I can’t carry it because of the humidity down here and the fact I am always near or on the saltwater. Its my own fault for not properly researching the steel before I bought it impulsively. I love the knife so I have another one with SPY27 with no issues at all.

Thanks for your post, as I have posted a couple of times I too am on or near salt water here in Texas, and am trying to figure out what steel to avoid for EDC in hot sweaty and salty conditions

[DSH007]

How does it look to the naked eye? This knife has a stonewash finish, yes? .. I'm thinking maybe that's what we're seeing under such intense magnification? The markings do appear to be pretty uniform..

[TkoK83Spy]

Thanks for your post, as I have posted a couple of times I too am on or near salt water here in Texas, and am trying to figure out what steel to avoid for EDC in hot sweaty and salty conditions

I saw you post about the GB2 with M4 in another thread a while ago...probably not the best steel for your conditions.

[M Sea]

I have a Maxamet Manix LW and it pitted very quickly. I can’t carry it because of the humidity down here and the fact I am always near or on the saltwater. Its my own fault for not properly researching the steel before I bought it impulsively. I love the knife so I have another one with SPY27 with no issues at all.

Thanks for your post, as I have posted a couple of times I too am on or near salt water here in Texas, and am trying to figure out what steel to avoid for EDC in hot sweaty and salty conditions

No worries, I have had the best luck with H1 and LC200N. Good luck!

[Leksy]

Have similar pits on my Cruwear Mule. I believe that was factory condition. Have seen here some old topics describing pits on a 'new' mules. Not literally 'new', as there was recall due to heat treatment problems, and maybe pits came out after re-heatment.

[tonijedi]

We need a picture without magnification...

[Wartstein]

Hello and welcome.

I took a quick look at my Manix 2 in Maxamet and it looks nothing like what you show in your picture. I have neither the lines or the spots. Perhaps this one did not get the proper blade finish, or there is something else wrong.

Did you take that look at 40x magnification like the OP did?

[Karl_H]

Your photo doesn’t show any discernible rust. Steel corrosion -> rust.

[JRinFL]

Hello and welcome.

I took a quick look at my Manix 2 in Maxamet and it looks nothing like what you show in your picture. I have neither the lines or the spots. Perhaps this one did not get the proper blade finish, or there is something else wrong.

Did you take that look at 40x magnification like the OP did?

I used a bright light and my handheld magnifier which is either 15X or 30X depending on who you believe. It was enough magnification to tell if I had the same issue.

[tonijedi]

Hello and welcome.

I took a quick look at my Manix 2 in Maxamet and it looks nothing like what you show in your picture. I have neither the lines or the spots. Perhaps this one did not get the proper blade finish, or there is something else wrong.

Did you take that look at 40x magnification like the OP did?

I used a bright light and my handheld magnifier which is either 15X or 30X depending on who you believe. It was enough magnification to tell if I had the same issue.

It depends if you use the magnifier with just one or both eyes.

[JRinFL]

I just took another look after i found my 120X magnifier and I still do not see the lines or the spots as shown in the OPs picture. Either the finish changed between when my Manix 2 LW Maxamet was made and the OP's Native Maxament, or his did not get the appropriate finishing. Like the stonewashing step was skipped.

Edit: I tried to capture an image with my phone, but at that magnification an movement blurs the image too much.

[JRinFL]

It depends if you use the magnifier with just one or both eyes.

[Wartstein]

Hello and welcome.

I took a quick look at my Manix 2 in Maxamet and it looks nothing like what you show in your picture. I have neither the lines or the spots. Perhaps this one did not get the proper blade finish, or there is something else wrong.

Did you take that look at 40x magnification like the OP did?

I used a bright light and my handheld magnifier which is either 15X or 30X depending on who you believe. It was enough magnification to tell if I had the same issue.

Thanks! :)
I just wanted to get an idea if under such high magnification perhaps seeing some pitting that can´t be seen otherwise is normal with non-stainless steels or not.
(Also I don´t know if there is a difference concerning with which device -.microscope or handheld magnifier - this is done?! So does the microscope perhaps show what the simple magnifier can´t, even under the same magnification?)

[spoonrobot]

Maxamet does seem to have a propensity to have little tiny pits, this is from a new PM2. Pics are from a clip on macro lens, maybe 10x. The pitting is visible to the naked eye, which is why I looked closer.



I posted these in another thread and did not receive a satisfying explanation. So I don't know what it is, but it's not an issue for my uses, at this time.