Cool video. A cool fact is that s30v was developed by Dick Barber in collaboration with good ole Chris Reeve. The other cool thing is that they also sought input from other big knifemakers like Spyderco, Ernest Emerson, and Paul Bos. CPM s30v was really a collaboration across the knife industry.
Magnacut is a great steel but only when heat treated properly per Larrin's protocols. At first it seemed companies and makers wanted to do thier own thing and the result was poor performance, but most are now getting it right now it seems. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable
no shock there. knife land has forever been full of not very bright lights lets just say. it's shocking that the whole knife world was that much behind the ball such that one man with a real college education could change the entire industry. that is mind blowing.
I live in Syracuse, NY near the Crucible factory and had NO idea they made the Magnacut steel! I just bought a Benchmade with CPM MagnaCut blade and knowing the steel may have come from my own back yard for my knife is incredible!!
We always drove past Crucible when I was younger and it just looks like this vacant facility but as I got older you learn about all the crazy things they make steel for.
George, I think this was your best video. Usually, you look very uncomfortable in front of the camera. However, this video you seemed relaxed, probably because you were talking about a topic you have a lot of knowledge, therefore making you comfortable. Good Job.
@6:55 There is an extra detail missing here IMO. Not a metallurgist, but what I absorbed from LT's article was that the amount of chromium that stays in solution vs. forming carbide crystals does indeed affect the stainless properties, but equally important, is that those chromium carbides, should they form, are larger and softer than the carbides from the other elements in the steel, thus reducing wear resistance (dulls faster). The presence of those large chromium carbides used to be considered an unavoidable tradeoff in stainless steels from what I gather, but this process/recipe changed the game.
Great catch! We didn't want to get too deep in the weeds, this is probably the nerdiest video Blade HQ has ever put out. But you're 100% correct. Larrin's process for MagnaCut is groundbreaking! -George
As I understand it, that's one of the main reasons for the large amount of vanadium and niobium; carbon bonds more strongly to those elements than it does chromium.
@@ZakWilson It also helps that vanadium carbides are particularly hard, increasing the wear resistance/edge retention without sacrificing stainless properties.
I have 2 Magnacut blades ... A Tactile Knife Rockwall Thumbstud and a Buck 110 ... Both came screaming sharp and are holding their edge despite my abuse.
Well, fortunately Magnacut is superior in all major material properties to 1095. It's tougher, it's stainless, and it has higher edge retention. Main downside is that it's harder to sharpen. You can put an edge on a dull piece of 1095 using a river rock and a lot of effort. You'll need dedicated sharpening abrasives to put an edge on Magnacut.
@@theKashConnoisseur I know, my comment was misleading thank you for the correction, I love 154CM the perfect balance for me, easy sharpening compared to others, it holds and edge
That's not the cpm furnace. That's the aod furnace in the melt shop. Which is also the building you showed. We're actually pouring that steel right now, when I'm typing this up.
This is a really well done video. Well spoken. If a 5 year old can understand, bravo. Amazing presentation skills and very informative. I have a benchmade tanto m4 steel and always looking for the next better steel. Thinking this the “magna cut” or for a fixed blade the a blade with the “cru-wear”
I like the traditional design of ," Case " folders I think they should add a couple of thumb studs and make some hybrids for a one handed operation. Like Schrade old timer did with their " pioneer" just excellent one of my EDCs now .
I've had several Magnacut blades and it is the real deal of done right. My first Deka from the first run missed the mark. Too soft at like 60.5, it was surprisingly equal to LC200N. My second Deka was worlds better. Apparently they changed the process as it was advertised at 63, and tested there too. My Ritter Hogue came in at 64.1, and it's hard to believe what it can do.
@@acid6urns There needs to be specifics as to what ‘treated right’ vs ‘treated badly’ means. The manufacturer tend to not want to publicize their HT specifics. For example, we’ve had to beg Spyderco for details on their forum. It would be nice if Larrin posted what good was for his creation.
I’ve watched several videos from Larrin as well as Pete from Cedric & Ada and magnacut is really impressive, boasting near Vanax levels of corrosion resistance while delivering levels of edge retention usually reserved for non-stainless, high carbon steels. I really think once manufacturers get their heat treat procedures dialed in, magnacut will become the go to steel.
Magnacut actually maintains high levels of toughness as the HRC climbs as well, making it a good choice for fixed blades. I just picked up a Tactile Knife Co Dreadeye but haven’t had a chance to really use it so time will tell but based off others reports, I’m sure it’ll be good.
Larrin's own testing shows Magnacut's toughness roughly matching 4V or Vanadis 4E, but below ultra-tough steels like 3V. It's also below high-toughness stainless steels like 14C28N, AEB-L, and LC200N except at very high HRC. Those steels give up some wear resistance for that toughness though. Where Magnacut unique is combining toughness, wear resistance, and stainlessness.
That's right but it's very modest to say "some wear resistance" it's not some, magnacut is in a whole other class. And yes at high hardness, like say 64 rc, AEBL and Magnacut have basically the same toughness, but magnacut will be majorly higher in "edge retention."
@@escapetherace1943 About the same, maybe slightly better machinability, but the issue you have is you're probably not using the right abrasives for the job. If you're going to dabble with vanadium steels even the mainstream "mortal" ones like s30v and s35v, you're gonna want to use diamonds. If you use diamonds then it really doesnt make a difference if you're grinding vg10 or s30v or s90v it all cuts about the same on diamonds.
@@jeffhicks8428 I see. I always sharpened on stone, I got one with some diamond grit recently but, I still prefer stones. I really just like somewhat softer steels in general
@@escapetherace1943 If you're trying to grind chunky EDC knives with vanadium steels on waterstones, you're gonna have a bad time. Basically the vanadium carbide is going to put up a hell of a fight. If you really prefer whetstones, like I do as well, but dont want to pay a lot of money for bonded diamond stones, I suggest something like silicon carbide. For example a $30 Norton Crystylon oil stone, I suggest the "fine" grit which is actually quite course and can regrind bevels. Then I suggest something like a 1k Sigma select 2 stone, which uses green silicon carbide and can cut vanadium steels. Or you can use diamond powder, or compound, which is cheap if you know where to get it, on a substrate like wood. Something like 500 grit diamond powder on wood like birch or basswood. and you strop on it, this will create a foil but you can polish it off with something like 3 to 5 micron diamond afterwards. Or like you said, just skip the vanadium steels.
Great discussion of Case knife steels. When will they get into the 21st century? Their designs rock, but yeah, they should replace their proprietary 420, tru-sharp stainless with magnacut if/when they can. edit: And just as I say this, I notice that Case has released a new series in buffalo horn with s35vn blades for about 140 apiece. Okay, they are not totally asleep.
I was just getting to reply that I’d be happy to even see something like S30V or any of the decent powdered metal steels. 😂 I had no idea that they have finally stepped into this century either. That’s good to know and hear though. I like Case knives and they’re made about an hour and a half away from me in my home state.
Magnacut will blow them both away. Check out outpost 76’s channel on here. He has a LOOOT of really great edge retention tests between all the big popular steels. Cedric&Ada is another great knife steel channel. He does a lot of edge retention as well as sharpening and corrosion resistance tests.
Where does magnacut fall into the line of edge retention? What does it compare to? How will it hold up to hunting as far as skinning and quartering an animal?
It stands up very well. Virtuovice has done a couple videos where he's using it (Bark River/Magnacut) for butchering deer. It's very much like CPM Cruwear, maybe a tad better in edge holding & very stainless. I have several hunting knives in different steels, so I have a pretty good reference on what works. Magnacut always seems a bit better overall. A lot (4x) tougher than M390. If I had to rely on 1 knife (steel) for hunting, Cruwear or Magnacut would be my two choices. With Magnacut being the most trouble-free. Snow, rain, salt...won't matter. This stuff is REALLY resistant to rusting. But Cruwear is no slouch as a hunting knife! The only reason Magnacut wins is its stainlessness, edge holding is really about equal to Cruwear. Not too bad to sharpen either, usually just a stropping after a lot of use will bring it right back. It's a really nice fine grained steel to live with. Holds the edge a long time. CATRA is about 550+. Similar to Elmax & M4, but again, it's tougher than either one of those, but less tough than 3V/A2. Most knives are heat treated between 60.5 Rc & 62 Rc. The weird part is, it's a stainless steel that's technically not stainless. Hope this helps a bit. The "best" is always subjective though. One man's meat is another man's poison.
I'm conflicted. I initially LOVED Magnacut. I got the Hogue Deka Clip point in Magnacut a while back and lived how sharp it came and how easily it opened Amazon packages lol. I finally took it to work where I open garden plants. The ones that have that "heavy duty" plastic mesh around them. I used it for the day then tested the edge once I got home. I was acting like it was actively perforating the paper I was cutting through. It turned out, the process of cutting through plastic mesh, it received jumping on the edge of the blade! Idk if the stock edge on Hogue knives is just too fine to hold the edge or if there was an issue with the particular batch that made my knife but the whole situation put me off a bit.
I’ve heard similar things about the Decca! Very hard and brittle steel that chips and breaks easily. That’s shit, I’m scared to use the knife now what a bummer. I would reach out to Hogue and mention something. I gotta say, not many American made knives outperform the cheaper Chines rivals. I hate china but they are being reasonable about products.
It's a really new steel, so makers are doing a lot of learning with quenching, heat treat, hardness levels, etc. but Magnacut has huge potential. It is supposed to be very tough according to trials on RUclips, check out Spyderco Mule tests by Cedric & Ada as well as Home Slice. Also try resharpening and getting rid of that stock edge... stock edges are notoriously crap. Again, it should be able to take and keep a fine edge.
@@cornbread22cbthe first batch of magnacut from hogue wasn’t heat treated well. the new ones are supposed to be at 63 like they’re supposed to. if you have the 20cv model then it chips bc 20cv is brittle.
DANG IT GEORGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DANG YOU TOO HECK!!!!! What a fantastic video. Thank you, George. We have had very long talks about knife steel. But you are a true knife steel nerd. :) Edit: For typos lol
I’m a really odd duck when it comes to sharpness. Things are so bad I find myself sharpening new Xacto blades, because they just aren’t sharp! (Just need to start thinking of getting blades that will hold a scalpel edge)
Thank you for geeking out for us. I have a high interest in knife steel, yet very little retained knowledge. Thanks to you I now know something I didn't. So I'll be sure to flex on the boys with this. I'm also about to buy a Benchmade Shootout from ya'll. My wife says "thnx".
@izzy I was not aware of this. Any info I can look into? Like where did you discover this? I know a few employees that work for Benchmade, and they're all pro 2A.
Unfortunately it seems that its magical properties really only work when it's heat treated properly and some companies are nonsensically scared of running heat treats that hard (63-64 HRC).
I purchased the Blade HQ exclusive Microtech Ultratech with a Magacut blade steel. It was extremely hard to open. I tried oiling it. No improvement. I dropped the knife. It's now much easier to open. Weird.
Wasn't mentioned. But Dr. Thomas first published his article detailing his invention of the steel in 2021. And the first knifemakers to get the steel for custom blades started talking about it in 2021. Google Trends also shows the term "magnacut" coming into prominence in the last quarter of 2021. So all of that leads me to believe that it was first created in ~2021, although it might have been conceptualized by Dr. Thomas (in Thermo-Calc perhaps?) prior to then.
When’s that Mordax hit the site? Looks more like an exclusive with the milled handles and inlayed button but the link just takes you to the production ones that are out of stock
When someone buys a knife with Magnacut steel, how can we find out what the screws are made from. If I want a rust proof knife, it makes sense to want to know this.
Can't speak for other makers, but Spyderco's Salt series of knives makes sure it uses hardware and liners that are just as stainless as the blade steels. They don't specify the exact steels they use for the hardware and such, but then again most people don't care as long as it does the job.
I'd bet anything you watched this video on a smartphone. Why does anyone need anything more advanced than a nokia brick? Why does anyone want a steel that is less prone to rust, keeps an edge longer and less likely to chip? Because it has superior qualities
Idk if I should wait for the inevitable release of a Magnacut Spyderco Manix 2 XL, or just get a Cruware Manix 2 XL instead. This sounds like the dream steel tbh
Until we find the magic steel, the balance between steel properties will exist. We're not quite there yet. BTW, I'm making 5 knives out of MagnaCut steel right now in my shop, and I am a fan of Larren Thomas!
What good is a Super (hard to sharpen) Steel if not field friendly? Super Steel is great until your deep in the back country without all the fancy tools required for sharpening. I say super steel is better defined as (in the city steel). 1095 does al I need.
You'll need to sharpen 1095 often to keep it working. With a good super steel, it won't go dull. You might touch up the edge once or twice a year if you do a lot of cutting. And it doesn't take any fancy tools to keep these modern steels sharp, either. All you'd need is a 1000 grit diamond stone, which is affordable, lightweight, and as easy to use as any traditional wetstone. You could easily put a diamond plate in your backpack and enjoy hair-whittling edges on modern powdered metallurgy steels deep in the backwoods. No water required!
@@theKashConnoisseur I agree with you 100% about edge retention of the super steels. Yes I sharpen 1095 constantly but relatively quick and in a tight spot with a choice stone I can find about anywhere. I can't do that with super steel. I understand most folks don't stay in the bush as I do, but if/when they do will discover the dilemma. Great video and thanks.
@@DonTharp Diamond sharpening plates are not very heavy, you could easily carry one with you. You obviously have access to modern conveniences, you can order a sharpening stone to put in your backpack. You don't need to rely on the odd river rock. Besides, with a modern super steel, you don't need to sharpen them to regain the edge. Usually, you can use a simple leather strop and get it back to razor sharp. Surely you have access to leather out there in the backwoods. And even if you don't, the blade will stay sharp until you get back home to your internet connection and your proper sharpening system using diamond plates and lapping compounds. They retain the edge that long, honestly.
Benchmade still charges for s30v like it just came out and is still ultra premium. I have an old spyderco 4v mule I love that thing amazing steel magnacyt is decent but I still prefer m4
What are the best MagnaCut knives on the market? I want a small one for hunting and a large one for survival. The idea is to have two knives with me that allows me to do just about anything.
Vanax Superclean is another miracle steel. Its corrosion resistance and edge retention combination is incredible. I just wish we saw it on more knives! -George
I just picked up a Benchmade Osborne 945 in MagnaCut. When I got home I took a swipe at a slightly woody golden rod stem that was growing in front of my mailbox and developed a nice shiny area on my knife. 😮
Devin doesn't just make stainless Damascus, but he is one of the very few guys who does make stainless damascus. You have entire facilities like Clarke knives in the UK that doesn't even have the capacity for that. It's very very rare to see "anyone" that isn't basically a steel mill or operation like damassteel that makes stainless damascus. Stainless steels are not the low alloy stuff you see being "forged in fire" in the traditional crude method of making knives by making steel hot and and whacking it with a hammer. What makes magnacut special is it's a whole new class of stainless steel. Its got great things for knives, namely hardness+toughness combo with the fine grain, basically think of AEBL that is obviously much less machinable, so it it's harder to work with and grind but also holds an edge much longer. I think of it like super AEBL even though they aren't actually related. the balance of properties being highly suitable for knives is whats related. It's like the long awaited high edge retention upgrade to AEBL.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Stay tuned for our MagnaCut field test video! Coming Soon! 🙌🙌
what axe is that in the background?
Cool video. A cool fact is that s30v was developed by Dick Barber in collaboration with good ole Chris Reeve. The other cool thing is that they also sought input from other big knifemakers like Spyderco, Ernest Emerson, and Paul Bos. CPM s30v was really a collaboration across the knife industry.
Satisfying presentation. Telling the back story to a production is an efficient strategy to keep enthusiasts engaged.
Magnacut is a great steel but only when heat treated properly per Larrin's protocols. At first it seemed companies and makers wanted to do thier own thing and the result was poor performance, but most are now getting it right now it seems. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable
no shock there. knife land has forever been full of not very bright lights lets just say. it's shocking that the whole knife world was that much behind the ball such that one man with a real college education could change the entire industry. that is mind blowing.
I live in Syracuse, NY near the Crucible factory and had NO idea they made the Magnacut steel! I just bought a Benchmade with CPM MagnaCut blade and knowing the steel may have come from my own back yard for my knife is incredible!!
There's no "may" have come, it's 100% from there :) Be proud.
Absolutely killing it, George. Great video!
We always drove past Crucible when I was younger and it just looks like this vacant facility but as I got older you learn about all the crazy things they make steel for.
History Class with George!! More history please! I have the Protech Strider magnacut it bad to the bone!
Your wish is our command! 👍 - Ben G
George, I think this was your best video. Usually, you look very uncomfortable in front of the camera. However, this video you seemed relaxed, probably because you were talking about a topic you have a lot of knowledge, therefore making you comfortable. Good Job.
I bought that same inkosi a week ago. Lol happy to see more Chris reeve knives on knife banter
They’re sweet knives! Hope it treats you well, I recently got a sebenza 31 with magnacut
I cannot wait for Magnacut in Spyderco's and especially the Benchmade 940.
Great, quick history of the steel- nicely done.
Ordered the manix 2 salt in magnacut. With Spyderco you can’t go wrong in the heat treatment.
Same and agreed.
Its awesome to see a new steel anytime but this is like mind blowing
@6:55 There is an extra detail missing here IMO. Not a metallurgist, but what I absorbed from LT's article was that the amount of chromium that stays in solution vs. forming carbide crystals does indeed affect the stainless properties, but equally important, is that those chromium carbides, should they form, are larger and softer than the carbides from the other elements in the steel, thus reducing wear resistance (dulls faster). The presence of those large chromium carbides used to be considered an unavoidable tradeoff in stainless steels from what I gather, but this process/recipe changed the game.
Great catch! We didn't want to get too deep in the weeds, this is probably the nerdiest video Blade HQ has ever put out. But you're 100% correct. Larrin's process for MagnaCut is groundbreaking! -George
As I understand it, that's one of the main reasons for the large amount of vanadium and niobium; carbon bonds more strongly to those elements than it does chromium.
@@ZakWilson It also helps that vanadium carbides are particularly hard, increasing the wear resistance/edge retention without sacrificing stainless properties.
I have 2 Magnacut blades ... A Tactile Knife Rockwall Thumbstud and a Buck 110 ... Both came screaming sharp and are holding their edge despite my abuse.
Thanks to Esee, my favorite steel is 1095. Looking fwd to trying out a magnacut blade though.
Well, fortunately Magnacut is superior in all major material properties to 1095. It's tougher, it's stainless, and it has higher edge retention. Main downside is that it's harder to sharpen. You can put an edge on a dull piece of 1095 using a river rock and a lot of effort. You'll need dedicated sharpening abrasives to put an edge on Magnacut.
Definitely a 1095 fan myself
Best knife steel reporting (video or blog) ever. Fun to watch, too.
i have many powdered steel knives, I like154CM, protech uses it, it really holds a sharpening longest with easy sharpening.
154CM would be the ingot version of CPM 154. If it's 154CM it's not a powdered steel.
@@theKashConnoisseur I know, my comment was misleading thank you for the correction, I love 154CM the perfect balance for me, easy sharpening compared to others, it holds and edge
That's not the cpm furnace. That's the aod furnace in the melt shop. Which is also the building you showed. We're actually pouring that steel right now, when I'm typing this up.
Awesome advance in high end blade steel! His father and he should be proud !
This is a really well done video. Well spoken. If a 5 year old can understand, bravo. Amazing presentation skills and very informative. I have a benchmade tanto m4 steel and always looking for the next better steel. Thinking this the “magna cut” or for a fixed blade the a blade with the “cru-wear”
So far my MagnaCut Sebenza is holding an edge every bit as well as my 941 in M4. We'll see if it sharpens easier when it finally needs it.
Great vid thanks George! Love my runt5 in magnacut from u guys❤
Do you ever get any accidental deployment with your runt 5?
@@Bloodstryke not as of yet. Have you?
@@knifedaddy5791 I don't have a runt yet but wanting to try it
I like the traditional design of ," Case " folders I think they should add a couple of thumb studs and make some hybrids for a one handed operation. Like Schrade old timer did with their " pioneer" just excellent one of my EDCs now .
Just bought a Scott Gossman Polaris in MagnaCut. Extremely excited. Best $430 I've ever spent on a knife.
Just put this microtech on layaway! So excited!
Just ordered a ultratech, can’t wait for it to get here
Thanks, just bought Ben's Fixed blade in magnacut
I should've paid more attention in chemistry class 😂
Really excited for that field test video!
You and me both! 😂 - Ben G
I've had several Magnacut blades and it is the real deal of done right. My first Deka from the first run missed the mark. Too soft at like 60.5, it was surprisingly equal to LC200N.
My second Deka was worlds better. Apparently they changed the process as it was advertised at 63, and tested there too. My Ritter Hogue came in at 64.1, and it's hard to believe what it can do.
Ewww. LC? I really hope magnacut outperforms that one. I’d cry.
@@YaYa-ke1zrhe just said it did when it was treated right, and that the first batch was HT badly.
@@acid6urns There needs to be specifics as to what ‘treated right’ vs ‘treated badly’ means. The manufacturer tend to not want to publicize their HT specifics. For example, we’ve had to beg Spyderco for details on their forum. It would be nice if Larrin posted what good was for his creation.
@@YaYa-ke1zr larrin has posted what is the correct HT… it needs to be around 63-64 HRC to perform at its full potential.
@@acid6urns Yes but not in all of the manufacturer forums to call out why some are treating it too low.
I’ve watched several videos from Larrin as well as Pete from Cedric & Ada and magnacut is really impressive, boasting near Vanax levels of corrosion resistance while delivering levels of edge retention usually reserved for non-stainless, high carbon steels. I really think once manufacturers get their heat treat procedures dialed in, magnacut will become the go to steel.
I agree, and I'm very excited! MagnaCut is incredible. -George
How is it's toughness for fixed blades, is it brittle. I know certain steels can be just a little too hard
Magnacut actually maintains high levels of toughness as the HRC climbs as well, making it a good choice for fixed blades. I just picked up a Tactile Knife Co Dreadeye but haven’t had a chance to really use it so time will tell but based off others reports, I’m sure it’ll be good.
What’s the ax hanging in the background?
Great video! Lots of great information thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! - George
Larrin's own testing shows Magnacut's toughness roughly matching 4V or Vanadis 4E, but below ultra-tough steels like 3V. It's also below high-toughness stainless steels like 14C28N, AEB-L, and LC200N except at very high HRC. Those steels give up some wear resistance for that toughness though. Where Magnacut unique is combining toughness, wear resistance, and stainlessness.
That's right but it's very modest to say "some wear resistance" it's not some, magnacut is in a whole other class. And yes at high hardness, like say 64 rc, AEBL and Magnacut have basically the same toughness, but magnacut will be majorly higher in "edge retention."
@@jeffhicks8428 yes but how easy is it to sharpen? I hate s30v
@@escapetherace1943 About the same, maybe slightly better machinability, but the issue you have is you're probably not using the right abrasives for the job. If you're going to dabble with vanadium steels even the mainstream "mortal" ones like s30v and s35v, you're gonna want to use diamonds. If you use diamonds then it really doesnt make a difference if you're grinding vg10 or s30v or s90v it all cuts about the same on diamonds.
@@jeffhicks8428 I see. I always sharpened on stone, I got one with some diamond grit recently but, I still prefer stones.
I really just like somewhat softer steels in general
@@escapetherace1943 If you're trying to grind chunky EDC knives with vanadium steels on waterstones, you're gonna have a bad time. Basically the vanadium carbide is going to put up a hell of a fight. If you really prefer whetstones, like I do as well, but dont want to pay a lot of money for bonded diamond stones, I suggest something like silicon carbide. For example a $30 Norton Crystylon oil stone, I suggest the "fine" grit which is actually quite course and can regrind bevels. Then I suggest something like a 1k Sigma select 2 stone, which uses green silicon carbide and can cut vanadium steels. Or you can use diamond powder, or compound, which is cheap if you know where to get it, on a substrate like wood. Something like 500 grit diamond powder on wood like birch or basswood. and you strop on it, this will create a foil but you can polish it off with something like 3 to 5 micron diamond afterwards. Or like you said, just skip the vanadium steels.
Do we know the hardness level for the new Microtech coming out ?! :)
Hello Blade HQ! Do you know the hardness on Microtech M390 steel by chance?
Great discussion of Case knife steels. When will they get into the 21st century? Their designs rock, but yeah, they should replace their proprietary 420, tru-sharp stainless with magnacut if/when they can. edit: And just as I say this, I notice that Case has released a new series in buffalo horn with s35vn blades for about 140 apiece. Okay, they are not totally asleep.
I was just getting to reply that I’d be happy to even see something like S30V or any of the decent powdered metal steels. 😂 I had no idea that they have finally stepped into this century either. That’s good to know and hear though. I like Case knives and they’re made about an hour and a half away from me in my home state.
Whats the hardness on the Ultratech Magnacut ?
Does it lose points in corrosion resistance as the steel gets harder ?
An amazing steel that symbolizes innovation and achieving the once thought impossible
I’m excited 😜
George, do a video of your knife collection! great content!
Architect knives just started making there knives with magnacut 26 January 2024, I ordered a architect AK 6.5 in magnacut the day they released them.
I've got a JW meridian folder with magnacut. It's great
is the Pro-Tech Mordax still made? I cant find the one you have in this video anywhere.
Great presentation
Awesome video! THANK YOU
Very informative video!
Would be interested in a comparison between magnacut, S90v and S35vn side by side
👀 - Ben G
Magnacut will blow them both away. Check out outpost 76’s channel on here. He has a LOOOT of really great edge retention tests between all the big popular steels. Cedric&Ada is another great knife steel channel. He does a lot of edge retention as well as sharpening and corrosion resistance tests.
@@cfltitanit’ll blow s35 away in every metric basically, but it’ll lose to the s90v in edge retention.
Where does magnacut fall into the line of edge retention? What does it compare to? How will it hold up to hunting as far as skinning and quartering an animal?
It stands up very well. Virtuovice has done a couple videos where he's using it (Bark River/Magnacut) for butchering deer. It's very much like CPM Cruwear, maybe a tad better in edge holding & very stainless. I have several hunting knives in different steels, so I have a pretty good reference on what works.
Magnacut always seems a bit better overall. A lot (4x) tougher than M390. If I had to rely on 1 knife (steel) for hunting, Cruwear or Magnacut would be my two choices. With Magnacut being the most trouble-free. Snow, rain, salt...won't matter. This stuff is REALLY resistant to rusting.
But Cruwear is no slouch as a hunting knife! The only reason Magnacut wins is its stainlessness, edge holding is really about equal to Cruwear.
Not too bad to sharpen either, usually just a stropping after a lot of use will bring it right back. It's a really nice fine grained steel to live with. Holds the edge a long time.
CATRA is about 550+. Similar to Elmax & M4, but again, it's tougher than either one of those, but less tough than 3V/A2. Most knives are heat treated between 60.5 Rc & 62 Rc.
The weird part is, it's a stainless steel that's technically not stainless. Hope this helps a bit.
The "best" is always subjective though. One man's meat is another man's poison.
@@firstjohn3123 Thank you for your reply. Make great points
This was super neat.
I just picked up the microtech magnacut. I can't wait to handle it
Me too. Pretty excited to get that package tomorrow.
I'm conflicted. I initially LOVED Magnacut. I got the Hogue Deka Clip point in Magnacut a while back and lived how sharp it came and how easily it opened Amazon packages lol. I finally took it to work where I open garden plants. The ones that have that "heavy duty" plastic mesh around them. I used it for the day then tested the edge once I got home. I was acting like it was actively perforating the paper I was cutting through. It turned out, the process of cutting through plastic mesh, it received jumping on the edge of the blade! Idk if the stock edge on Hogue knives is just too fine to hold the edge or if there was an issue with the particular batch that made my knife but the whole situation put me off a bit.
I’ve heard similar things about the Decca! Very hard and brittle steel that chips and breaks easily. That’s shit, I’m scared to use the knife now what a bummer. I would reach out to Hogue and mention something. I gotta say, not many American made knives outperform the cheaper Chines rivals. I hate china but they are being reasonable about products.
It's a really new steel, so makers are doing a lot of learning with quenching, heat treat, hardness levels, etc. but Magnacut has huge potential. It is supposed to be very tough according to trials on RUclips, check out Spyderco Mule tests by Cedric & Ada as well as Home Slice. Also try resharpening and getting rid of that stock edge... stock edges are notoriously crap. Again, it should be able to take and keep a fine edge.
@@cornbread22cbthe first batch of magnacut from hogue wasn’t heat treated well. the new ones are supposed to be at 63 like they’re supposed to. if you have the 20cv model then it chips bc 20cv is brittle.
What's that axe on the wall behind you? Sweet video on Magnacut!
DANG IT GEORGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DANG YOU TOO HECK!!!!!
What a fantastic video. Thank you, George.
We have had very long talks about knife steel. But you are a true knife steel nerd. :)
Edit: For typos lol
calm down bro its just a youtube video
Please release the Kershaw Launch 4 in Ultem and Magnacut hehe thank you!!
i check that page every day lol
@@chipe420 hard same 🥲
I’m a really odd duck when it comes to sharpness.
Things are so bad I find myself sharpening new Xacto blades, because they just aren’t sharp!
(Just need to start thinking of getting blades that will hold a scalpel edge)
Great video. Love metalnerdgy!!
I need a shirt that says "I ❤ metalnerdgy". -George
@Blade HQ Indeed , we 😎 used to say this YEARS ago when I was a machinist apprentice, and I worked in a machine shop.
@@BladeHQ Yes....t-shirt idea!
Thank you for geeking out for us. I have a high interest in knife steel, yet very little retained knowledge. Thanks to you I now know something I didn't. So I'll be sure to flex on the boys with this. I'm also about to buy a Benchmade Shootout from ya'll. My wife says "thnx".
Benchmade does not support the second amendment. Don’t buy their crap.
@izzy I was not aware of this. Any info I can look into? Like where did you discover this? I know a few employees that work for Benchmade, and they're all pro 2A.
@@searchBLOC941 look it up. Benchmade lets feds and LE use their equipment to destroy 2A goodies.
@@ElChacal7 I remember hearing something about that now that you mention it. I'll check it out.
Wish Spiderco would do a Paramilitary 2 and Para 3 with Magnacut. I need a new one and will wait for magnacut
Unfortunately it seems that its magical properties really only work when it's heat treated properly and some companies are nonsensically scared of running heat treats that hard (63-64 HRC).
Like every other metal on earth.
That's an interesting Mordax. I'm happy with my unmilled, blue anodized version though.
I purchased the Blade HQ exclusive Microtech Ultratech with a Magacut blade steel. It was extremely hard to open. I tried oiling it. No improvement.
I dropped the knife. It's now much easier to open. Weird.
when was magnacut first created tho? i dunno if i missed it or if it's not mentioned
Wasn't mentioned. But Dr. Thomas first published his article detailing his invention of the steel in 2021. And the first knifemakers to get the steel for custom blades started talking about it in 2021. Google Trends also shows the term "magnacut" coming into prominence in the last quarter of 2021. So all of that leads me to believe that it was first created in ~2021, although it might have been conceptualized by Dr. Thomas (in Thermo-Calc perhaps?) prior to then.
When’s that Mordax hit the site? Looks more like an exclusive with the milled handles and inlayed button but the link just takes you to the production ones that are out of stock
The heat treat is critical and laborious. Will yours be done right?
What is that axe in the background?
I don't know, I still haven't gotten my Magnacut Native yet, even though I ordered it over a year ago. LOL.
When someone buys a knife with Magnacut steel, how can we find out what the screws are made from. If I want a rust proof knife, it makes sense to want to know this.
Can't speak for other makers, but Spyderco's Salt series of knives makes sure it uses hardware and liners that are just as stainless as the blade steels. They don't specify the exact steels they use for the hardware and such, but then again most people don't care as long as it does the job.
I'd like to see how a fine thin'ish edge in Magnacut holds up against, say, a rusty staple in a piece of wood. I.E does it chip easily?
It’s amusing that people now need a super steel to open cardboard boxes.
It has been that way for at least 20 years.
It's not a matter of need, it's a matter of want! And I want it bad! -George
I'd bet anything you watched this video on a smartphone. Why does anyone need anything more advanced than a nokia brick? Why does anyone want a steel that is less prone to rust, keeps an edge longer and less likely to chip? Because it has superior qualities
@@codys5727dumb comparison :P
@@horizonVic thank you for your input. Your simple response has given me insight on the remainer of decisions I make in life. You're a hero
So far I have Protech Mordax in my collection and Hogue Deka is on the way🤫
The Mordax is 10/10. The Deka is also 10/10. Mathematically, that makes your collection 20/10! -George
@@BladeHQ God bless that kind of math teacher👋👌🤭
Idk if I should wait for the inevitable release of a Magnacut Spyderco Manix 2 XL, or just get a Cruware Manix 2 XL instead. This sounds like the dream steel tbh
from what i hear cruwear is just a non stainless magnacut
52100 is my favorite steel I have a ridiculously high bevel and it's razor sharp. I feel like M390 is so common that its mehhh now.
When is that Manix 2 exclusive coming out ????
You probably already know, but it’s out, the Manix 2 Salt in Magnacut. If you can stomach the yellow cheap light weight polymer FRN grip.
Can someone tell me where that green mordax is from??
Pro-Tech! -George
@@BladeHQ Yeah but i dont see one on the website
I want a Native 5 in Mag asap
Mega Cool Microtech Ultratech Switchblade Otf Knife Awesome Knife Looks great I Want That Knife But Is not Legal To Have In Switzerland
Until we find the magic steel, the balance between steel properties will exist. We're not quite there yet. BTW, I'm making 5 knives out of MagnaCut steel right now in my shop, and I am a fan of Larren Thomas!
I'd love to see Spyderco do the Waterway in this stuff. Maybe a BHQ Exclusive? *nudge, nudge*
What good is a Super (hard to sharpen) Steel if not field friendly?
Super Steel is great until your deep in the back country without all the fancy tools required for sharpening.
I say super steel is better defined as (in the city steel).
1095 does al I need.
You'll need to sharpen 1095 often to keep it working. With a good super steel, it won't go dull. You might touch up the edge once or twice a year if you do a lot of cutting. And it doesn't take any fancy tools to keep these modern steels sharp, either. All you'd need is a 1000 grit diamond stone, which is affordable, lightweight, and as easy to use as any traditional wetstone. You could easily put a diamond plate in your backpack and enjoy hair-whittling edges on modern powdered metallurgy steels deep in the backwoods. No water required!
@@theKashConnoisseur I agree with you 100% about edge retention of the super steels.
Yes I sharpen 1095 constantly but relatively quick and in a tight spot with a choice stone I can find about anywhere. I can't do that with super steel.
I understand most folks don't stay in the bush as I do, but if/when they do will discover the dilemma. Great video and thanks.
@@DonTharp Diamond sharpening plates are not very heavy, you could easily carry one with you. You obviously have access to modern conveniences, you can order a sharpening stone to put in your backpack. You don't need to rely on the odd river rock.
Besides, with a modern super steel, you don't need to sharpen them to regain the edge. Usually, you can use a simple leather strop and get it back to razor sharp. Surely you have access to leather out there in the backwoods. And even if you don't, the blade will stay sharp until you get back home to your internet connection and your proper sharpening system using diamond plates and lapping compounds. They retain the edge that long, honestly.
Can't wait to grab that ultratech
Interesting information thanks
You're welcome! 😃 - George
Benchmade still charges for s30v like it just came out and is still ultra premium. I have an old spyderco 4v mule I love that thing amazing steel magnacyt is decent but I still prefer m4
With companies like Benchmade, you're paying for the name and "prestige" of the brand as much as you're paying for workmanship and materials.
“I wouldn’t baton it through wood” the steel type wouldn’t be my worry about batoning that knife, it’s the fact that it’s a folder…
What are the best MagnaCut knives on the market? I want a small one for hunting and a large one for survival. The idea is to have two knives with me that allows me to do just about anything.
Where does Elmax fit in?
m390 by Bohler
What about a Vanex Superclean?
Vanax Superclean is another miracle steel. Its corrosion resistance and edge retention combination is incredible. I just wish we saw it on more knives! -George
Is victorinox steel good?
for a soft, budget stainless, it's ok. Nothing fancy. I consider it about the same as 420J. For a $10-20 knife, not bad.
I just picked up a Benchmade Osborne 945 in MagnaCut. When I got home I took a swipe at a slightly woody golden rod stem that was growing in front of my mailbox and developed a nice shiny area on my knife. 😮
Gotta get me some of that
How's elmax steel?
Devin doesn't just make stainless Damascus, but he is one of the very few guys who does make stainless damascus. You have entire facilities like Clarke knives in the UK that doesn't even have the capacity for that. It's very very rare to see "anyone" that isn't basically a steel mill or operation like damassteel that makes stainless damascus. Stainless steels are not the low alloy stuff you see being "forged in fire" in the traditional crude method of making knives by making steel hot and and whacking it with a hammer.
What makes magnacut special is it's a whole new class of stainless steel. Its got great things for knives, namely hardness+toughness combo with the fine grain, basically think of AEBL that is obviously much less machinable, so it it's harder to work with and grind but also holds an edge much longer. I think of it like super AEBL even though they aren't actually related. the balance of properties being highly suitable for knives is whats related. It's like the long awaited high edge retention upgrade to AEBL.
i wonder how magnacut holds up as a sword steel, would it have enough toughness to bend without breaking?
@Zero Ooh, I don't know! I really want to find out though. We'll have to see if someone makes on one day! -George
@@BladeHQ would also like to know how it performs as a gun barrel 🤔
@@BladeHQ Check out Dawson Knives, they have a few swords in Magnacut
I doubt it would be good for hard impacts. AEB-L would be much better for that...for stainless.
Awesome information, Bro! Well done. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)
That Microtech is so cool. John Wick! LOL
is this another steel where CPM and non are different ala D2?
So far as I'm aware, the only way to get MagnaCut is CPM. -George
I hope Larrin Thomas got a fat check from Crucible or a percentage of sales.
Give me that native 5 salt now spyderco!
Surprised the Rockwall isn't on this table, but a lot of other great knives are.
A solid option, definitely deserves a place on the table! - Ben G