Salt crusted Salts. Loving it.

[Spyderwebs]

I recently got the Dragonfly Salt SE and liked it so much I picked up at Stretch XL Salt SE too! I see what all the fuss is about.

I really fell in love with H2 after my first ocean kayaking session with the DF this week. It was tucked in my PFD pocket. I pulled it out a couple days later and there were salt crystals on the blade, which was still squeaky clean and shiny. Next, I used the Stretch to cut up a Prime Ribeye last night and didnt get around to cleaning it till this morning. As expected, squeaky clean! (Even VG10 and S90V will get minor staining if left with steak remnants on it overnight IME - I like my steaks well seasoned ).

I know H2 is essentially impervious to everything, but wow, having Zero worry about your blade is very freeing and I'm immediately on Team Salt now.

Havent sharpened either knife yet, but hear H1/H2 get better with cold work/sharpening, so I'm looking forward to them even improving over time!

This is just my ode to seeing the Light that is the Salt line.

[vivi]

H1 is some amazing stuff. Haven't tried H2 but performance should be about the same.

To me a salt folder is way, way, way more useful than high edge retention super steels.

I would take a steel with the performance of Bucks 420HC they use in 110's, just made rust proof, over all the steels that hold an edge better.

I save so much more time carrying rust proof folders that need sharpened a bit more VS high edge retention folders in K390, 15V, Rex45 etc.

They're especially nice when backpacking, fishing etc. One less thing to worry about when caught in the rain.

[Red Leader]

H1 is some amazing stuff. Haven't tried H2 but performance should be about the same.

To me a salt folder is way, way, way more useful than high edge retention super steels.

I would take a steel with the performance of Bucks 420HC they use in 110's, just made rust proof, over all the steels that hold an edge better.

I save so much more time carrying rust proof folders that need sharpened a bit more VS high edge retention folders in K390, 15V, Rex45 etc.

They're especially nice when backpacking, fishing etc. One less thing to worry about when caught in the rain.

I don't know if this is an age thing, but it is almost like there is some strange correlation with this notion, at least in my own little sphere of knifedom. The more I grow in experience with knives, the more I see the benefits of corrosion resistance over any other attribute.

I cannot explain why this is the case. The super steels feel racy and fast, are ultra attractive, and certainly their performance is there. But rust-resistance feels...reliable, if even a little boring. And I'm okay with boring. After studying Spyderco's offerings at an almost fanatical level over the last 8 months or so, I feel the curious and subtle draw to the Salt series, almost as if a Shaman in Magnamax with a textured AND contoured FRN handle would just simply be the 'one and done' knife, and I don't even really have an affinity for the Shaman, but dang if that wouldn't just be the absolute perfect package.

[Fastidiotus]

I've never understood how edge retention was the only sexy attribute for blades. H1/2 is just as radical as Rex 121. I'd love to act like I need a PM steel that was developed for casting space shuttle parts, but if I'm honest with myself my lc200n knives always bring me the most joy and it must be my actual favorite steel.

The ability to use a knife with reckless abandon and make it a tomorrow/next week/never? problem. All while taking one of the most ridiculous edges in under a minute or 2 on basic stones. Then still having decent edge retention. It's hard to want anything more in a day to day carry.

Honorable mention to s110v which to me is the superest super steel. I can't believe Spyderco just offers it as a standard in the line up and not on a sprint only basis.

[u.w.]

I too am a big fan of, and can't really find fault with, the LC200N knives. I pretty grossly neglect mine (LC200N PacSalt) by using it for everything, and only rinsing it with: Sweat, Saliva, Chesapeake Bay Salt Water, High Tannin Content Swamp Water, and Atlantic Ocean Salt Water - for many years running now.
Never misses a beat, never corrodes, no performance degradation (unless I don't rinse it with the above listed things, then it'll eventually start getting gummed up). I have zero complaints with it's edge holding either, and I run mine a decent bit thinner than factory.
Keeping a small glimmer of hope in my heart for a linerless FFG LC200N Police 4 LW SALT. I'd buy it and a backup or two just as fast as they became available.
Also, I do wonder about a Dragonfly 2 FFG LC200N SALT. Both have been brought up numerous times here on the forum.

u.w.

[SaltyCaribbeanDfly]

My top three steels:
H1/2
Lc200n
Magnacut
Worry free workhorses!

[bleasure]

I'd love to act like I need a PM steel that was developed for casting space shuttle parts

it's not pm, but lc200n (as cronidur-30) was designed/used for space applications. so, wins across the board

[spydergoat]

There's no perfect steel but with Spyderco having so many amazing steel options, one can come very close to getting the "perfect " steel for your lifestyle. Kayaking and ribeye sounds like a good one!

[Doc Dan]

I like corrosion resistance. My wife tends to wash her knives in the washing machine, and I've done that a time or two, as well. Many high performance steels will rust badly. I don't have any LC200N, but I want a couple of Dragonflies in that steel.

[RugerNurse]

I love the salt because of impromptu food prep. Had some caprese sandwiches on a hike so the Manix salt was great cutting the tomatoes. Best part is just wash it off when you’re done.

[chronovore]

Yes on corrosion resistance! My sweat is corrosive. On summer days when it's like 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 90% humidity, that sweat doesn't easily evaporate. TMI or not, things get gross. Especially if I'm doing stuff with a folder, cutting things that might wear away oil or wax coatings, I'm getting gunk on blades, etc.; plus I'm sweating buckets and my pocket humidity is off the charts; D2 spots fast and AUS-8 spots slow.

Steels like VG-10, S30V, S35VN, etc. are all okay. Whatever my personal chemistry, that's usually enough corrosion resistance to survive my normal summer life with basic maintenance. Bumping up to N690, BD1N, 14C28N, etc. gives me a nice hedge to feel good about. MagnaCut may as well be corrosion-proof for me.

I never got into H1, H2, or dendritic cobalt. I'm not opposed but I don't think I'd seek those out on purpose. I do have some LC200N and that's nice. Never tried Vanax but maybe someday, Spyderco will give me a reason.

[mikey177]

I like Salt knives because we have high humidity, monsoon rains and typhoons several months a year.

I've always made it a point to clean my tools immediately after yardwork when I was younger, but these days the Salt series allows me the luxury to enjoy a warm cup of coffee after working before I clean up.

Now if someone would only release a large-ish production price Salt chopper, then I'd be very grateful.

[James Y]

The beater knives I use for yard work are Salts. Especially my Pacific Salt in SE H1. The only exception are my carbon steel machetes for chopping.

Jim

[vivi]

I like Salt knives because we have high humidity, monsoon rains and typhoons several months a year.

I've always made it a point to clean my tools immediately after yardwork when I was younger, but these days the Salt series allows me the luxury to enjoy a warm cup of coffee after working before I clean up.

Now if someone would only release a large-ish production price Salt chopper, then I'd be very grateful.

I'm with you. I've gone camping in some nearby wilderness areas a lot this year, getting lots of rain most days. It was humid enough that my micarta scaled knives and machetes looked fully saturated at the handle 24/7:





I'd love a machete that's highly corrosion resistant, and quite tough, with a solid sheath, for a reasonable price. $100-200 or so.

The cheap carbon machete market is highly saturated. There are some high end carbon offerings too from condor, lt wright etc. but I'm not aware of any high quality stainless machetes....just bargain bin chinesium stuff.

Might be a market worth tapping into?

[JoviAl]

I like Salt knives because we have high humidity, monsoon rains and typhoons several months a year.

I've always made it a point to clean my tools immediately after yardwork when I was younger, but these days the Salt series allows me the luxury to enjoy a warm cup of coffee after working before I clean up.

Now if someone would only release a large-ish production price Salt chopper, then I'd be very grateful.

I'm with you. I've gone camping in some nearby wilderness areas a lot this year, getting lots of rain most days. It was humid enough that my micarta scaled knives and machetes looked fully saturated at the handle 24/7:





I'd love a machete that's highly corrosion resistant, and quite tough, with a solid sheath, for a reasonable price. $100-200 or so.

The cheap carbon machete market is highly saturated. There are some high end carbon offerings too from condor, lt wright etc. but I'm not aware of any high quality stainless machetes....just bargain bin chinesium stuff.

Might be a market worth tapping into?

I’ve been banging this drum for a while but the only option available at the moment is full custom shop stuff, and even then I can’t find anyone working with H1/2 or similar apart from Spyderco. A 7-9 inch H2 SE parang would be a game changer for me at work.

[ladybug93]

[SchoonerBum]

I like Salt knives because we have high humidity, monsoon rains and typhoons several months a year.

I've always made it a point to clean my tools immediately after yardwork when I was younger, but these days the Salt series allows me the luxury to enjoy a warm cup of coffee after working before I clean up.

Now if someone would only release a large-ish production price Salt chopper, then I'd be very grateful.

I'm with you. I've gone camping in some nearby wilderness areas a lot this year, getting lots of rain most days. It was humid enough that my micarta scaled knives and machetes looked fully saturated at the handle 24/7:





I'd love a machete that's highly corrosion resistant, and quite tough, with a solid sheath, for a reasonable price. $100-200 or so.

The cheap carbon machete market is highly saturated. There are some high end carbon offerings too from condor, lt wright etc. but I'm not aware of any high quality stainless machetes....just bargain bin chinesium stuff.

Might be a market worth tapping into?

I’ve been banging this drum for a while but the only option available at the moment is full custom shop stuff, and even then I can’t find anyone working with H1/2 or similar apart from Spyderco. A 7-9 inch H2 SE parang would be a game changer for me at work.

Same here. I love my cheap Tramontina machetes but I'd really like one in LC200N (or H1). Machete thickness and maybe a little shorter to keep the price down?

[JoviAl]

H1 is some amazing stuff. Haven't tried H2 but performance should be about the same.

To me a salt folder is way, way, way more useful than high edge retention super steels.

I would take a steel with the performance of Bucks 420HC they use in 110's, just made rust proof, over all the steels that hold an edge better.

I save so much more time carrying rust proof folders that need sharpened a bit more VS high edge retention folders in K390, 15V, Rex45 etc.

They're especially nice when backpacking, fishing etc. One less thing to worry about when caught in the rain.

I don't know if this is an age thing, but it is almost like there is some strange correlation with this notion, at least in my own little sphere of knifedom. The more I grow in experience with knives, the more I see the benefits of corrosion resistance over any other attribute.

I cannot explain why this is the case. The super steels feel racy and fast, are ultra attractive, and certainly their performance is there. But rust-resistance feels...reliable, if even a little boring. And I'm okay with boring. After studying Spyderco's offerings at an almost fanatical level over the last 8 months or so, I feel the curious and subtle draw to the Salt series, almost as if a Shaman in Magnamax with a textured AND contoured FRN handle would just simply be the 'one and done' knife, and I don't even really have an affinity for the Shaman, but dang if that wouldn't just be the absolute perfect package.

Maybe it is an age thing (or a maturity thing). I’m noticing a swing towards practicality in a lot of things in life as I hit 40, from the tools I use to the motorbikes I ride - I used to love a ballistic sports bike like an R1, GSXR and the like, but these days I’m much more interested in ‘does it have a shaft drive and long maintenance intervals’ or ‘can I work on it easily’, so maybe it’s an across the board age thing. I’ve stopped porting every chainsaw I get for maximum performance now too. Ironically I see Salt knives and shaft drives as just as exciting as Rex121 and litre sports bikes, just in a different way

[Brock O Lee]

Corrosion resistance, the other side of the performance coin!

I don't need super corrosion resistance often, but it is good to have several options to choose from when I'm on the mountain bike, on the motorcycle or hit the beach.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Vivi and Red Leader, your posts are exactly my view on the importance of corrosion resistance vs other attributes. Vivi I agree 100 percent about the 420 HC Stainless. A Salt with that kind of steel and heat treat plus the rust proofness of H1, H2 is perfect to me.