Spyderco Forums

I recently got my first MagnaCut (Manix 2 LW), and, first impression, it seems to hold a fine edge a little longer than other steels. Can anyone who has more MagnaCut experience confirm this?

No personal experience with MagnaCut (yet), but considering the metallography regarding the very fine matrix of the steel, lasting fine edge retention isn't a surprise characteristic. I'd expect it performs more like a high carbon steel, being as the chromium is freed up in solution, versus being bound within the carbide matrix; hence why it is so highly corrosion resistant, even with a mere 10.70 Cr chemistry.

I have not noticed a difference in fine edge retention,
but Magnacut did get me 15% off my car insurance and saved my marriage.

I cannot speak for Spyderco's Magnacut, but I have some experience with four CRK's in the rotation over the last year:
- L Sebenza x2 (Magnacut and S45VN)
- L Inkosi x2 (Magnacut and S45VN)
- All of them with similar non-factory bevels (17 dps), micros (20 dps) and edge finishes (DMT Fine, 1 um diamond light strop).

Take this from an amateur sharpener. Magnacut behaves like a steel with a finer structure than S45VN. I can get it sharper than S45VN with the same techniques and effort (hair whittling vs hair popping). It grinds easily, and deburrs like a dream.

In my experience Magnacut keeps it's shaving sharpness noticeably longer than S45VN for both the Sebenza and Inkosi with my typical light usage. I really like the steel.

Spyderco’s Magnacut mule for me has been significantly better than S30V with a polished edge. Where it really comes into its own though (in my use at least) has been with a dual grit edge. I will never waste my time on a polished edge again.

Yes it does keep the finer edge longer than other stainless steels. It behaves similar to mid-high carbide volume tool steels in fact. However, for some reason, it does not respond the strop as well as other steels. Do not get me wrong stropping still works on it but not as effective as other steels.

Murat_Cyp wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 03, 2024 12:45 pm

Yes it does keep the finer edge longer than other stainless steels. It behaves similar to mid-high carbide volume tool steels in fact. However, for some reason, it does not respond the strop as well as other steels. Do not get me wrong stropping still works on it but not as effective as other steels.

What are you stropping with?

Deadboxhero wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 03, 2024 12:57 pm

Murat_Cyp wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 03, 2024 12:45 pm

Yes it does keep the finer edge longer than other stainless steels. It behaves similar to mid-high carbide volume tool steels in fact. However, for some reason, it does not respond the strop as well as other steels. Do not get me wrong stropping still works on it but not as effective as other steels.

What are you stropping with?

gunny juice

Murat_Cyp wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 03, 2024 1:46 pm

Deadboxhero wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 03, 2024 12:57 pm

Murat_Cyp wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 03, 2024 12:45 pm

Yes it does keep the finer edge longer than other stainless steels. It behaves similar to mid-high carbide volume tool steels in fact. However, for some reason, it does not respond the strop as well as other steels. Do not get me wrong stropping still works on it but not as effective as other steels.

What are you stropping with?

gunny juice

Excellent, That's the same stuff I use.

I recommend cleaning and recharging your strop.



I do not notice any special difficulties with MagnaCut compared to other steels when it comes to sharpening or stropping.

I've been using the 1 micron and the 0.5 micron stropping after finishing off of a stone in the 40 micron range or even a 10 micron stone.


MagnaCut only has 8% carbide volume (The same as CPM 4V) so it's certainly on the lower end for carbide volume compared to the other mid-range stainless steels like ELMAX (18% vol.) and CPM S30V(14.5%vol.)

I’d like to know how MagnaCut stands up against K390 in practical application. The Dragonfly is such an amazing knife that is almost invisible for both hiking and the urban marketplace. I’d get another if another high end steel is offered. I’m not sure how much happier I’d be with something other than K390. I can take care of a non stainless blade, no problem there. Usually I’ll wipe a thin coat of mineral oil over any edged tool.

More of these wicked little Dragonflies in exotic steels please.

Ryder wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 03, 2024 5:28 pm

More of these wicked little Dragonflies in exotic steels please.

Magnacut dragonfly! Heck yes

I haven’t done a full sharpening on my S45VN PM2 but it got nice and sharp from a few passes on a 1200 grit stone. I should pick up a magnacut blade at some point. Maybe the Manix 2

First hardness numbers I've seen from Brian Kim at Transparent Knives:
Manix 2 Salt: 62.8 HRC
Native 5 Salt: 62.5 HRC
https://www.instagram.com/p/C23u5JGrLg1 ... _copy_link

javemtr wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:12 pm

First hardness numbers I've seen from Brian Kim at Transparent Knives:
Manix 2 Salt: 62.8 HRC
Native 5 Salt: 62.5 HRC
https://www.instagram.com/p/C23u5JGrLg1

Link shows an error for me, but I appreciate the share! Thank you.

javemtr wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:12 pm

First hardness numbers I've seen from Brian Kim at Transparent Knives:
Manix 2 Salt: 62.8 HRC
Native 5 Salt: 62.5 HRC
https://www.instagram.com/p/C23u5JGrLg1 ... _copy_link

Nice. I think 62-63 is exactly where it should be.