What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
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What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
I have this Robeson toothpick I was lucky enough to win for $0. I'm so glad I did because it's a gem. I cleaned 2 messes of squirrels with it the other day. Still sharp! What steel is "tool steel" ? What can you tell me about it? Thanks in advance!
Re: What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
If that is a Queen made Robeson, the "Tool Steel" is most likely D2. A lot of people complain about D2 being so hard to sharpen (which it sort of is, but I touch mine up on ceramic rods) but I find it performs very well, even better than S30V or S35VN in my use. D2 is a very tough steel, and as I understand, usually used to produce the dies for knives in regular carbon and stainless steels. D2 WILL NOT chip under any circumstances; and it holds its edge longer than supposedly more wear-resistant steels with less toughness. Especially a good D2 like Queen or Benchmade.
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Re: What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
I love D2 steel. I have several modern knives with D2 and it is a workhorse. I don't understand the aversion to sharpening some people have with traditional knives. Like the recent GEC barlows in 440c stainless. That steel would be laughable in a modern folder. But a modern stainless like m390 or 20cv would have been amazing. But people would have undoubtedly complained it was too hard.cody6268 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:24 pm If that is a Queen made Robeson, the "Tool Steel" is most likely D2. A lot of people complain about D2 being so hard to sharpen (which it sort of is, but I touch mine up on ceramic rods) but I find it performs very well, even better than S30V or S35VN in my use. D2 is a very tough steel, and as I understand, usually used to produce the dies for knives in regular carbon and stainless steels. D2 WILL NOT chip under any circumstances; and it holds its edge longer than supposedly more wear-resistant steels with less toughness. Especially a good D2 like Queen or Benchmade.
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Re: What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
But! I hope it is D2 and takes a nice patina with some use.cody6268 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:24 pm If that is a Queen made Robeson, the "Tool Steel" is most likely D2. A lot of people complain about D2 being so hard to sharpen (which it sort of is, but I touch mine up on ceramic rods) but I find it performs very well, even better than S30V or S35VN in my use. D2 is a very tough steel, and as I understand, usually used to produce the dies for knives in regular carbon and stainless steels. D2 WILL NOT chip under any circumstances; and it holds its edge longer than supposedly more wear-resistant steels with less toughness. Especially a good D2 like Queen or Benchmade.
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Re: What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
But! I hope it is D2 and takes a nice patina with some use.cody6268 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 25, 2021 1:24 pm If that is a Queen made Robeson, the "Tool Steel" is most likely D2. A lot of people complain about D2 being so hard to sharpen (which it sort of is, but I touch mine up on ceramic rods) but I find it performs very well, even better than S30V or S35VN in my use. D2 is a very tough steel, and as I understand, usually used to produce the dies for knives in regular carbon and stainless steels. D2 WILL NOT chip under any circumstances; and it holds its edge longer than supposedly more wear-resistant steels with less toughness. Especially a good D2 like Queen or Benchmade.
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Re: What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
Don’t sell 440C short. It’s still the steel of choice for many custom makers - I’ll take it any time! There’s nothing “laughable” about it.Rimfirekyle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:00 pm
I love D2 steel. I have several modern knives with D2 and it is a workhorse. I don't understand the aversion to sharpening some people have with traditional knives. Like the recent GEC barlows in 440c stainless. That steel would be laughable in a modern folder. But a modern stainless like m390 or 20cv would have been amazing. But people would have undoubtedly complained it was too hard.
https://www.jayfisher.com/Blades.htm#440C
Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
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If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
https://www.akti.org/
Re: What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
It's one of my go-to steels as it approaches high-end performance without spending $100 or more on sharpening devices/gear. Along with 154CM and VG-10; it's got the right balance of edge retention and ease of sharpening. I think a lot of knife companies, I swear (half-jokingly) use such high end steels to sell high end sharpening systems.Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:05 pmDon’t sell 440C short. It’s still the steel of choice for many custom makers - I’ll take it any time!Rimfirekyle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:00 pm
I love D2 steel. I have several modern knives with D2 and it is a workhorse. I don't understand the aversion to sharpening some people have with traditional knives. Like the recent GEC barlows in 440c stainless. That steel would be laughable in a modern folder. But a modern stainless like m390 or 20cv would have been amazing. But people would have undoubtedly complained it was too hard.
Ken
I can usually get a working edge on abused old 440C Bucks using a super-cheap set of Harbor Freight diamond stones and the existing synthetic stones I own (Carborundum, Norton "India" and presumably Aluminum Oxide or similar) and or the inexpensive Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener (basically a carrier with coarse and fine diamond stones, a ceramic rod, and a strop). I got a 105 screaming sharp with little knowledge.
Most Chinese knives that are "440C" are actually 8Cr13MOV which is considerably worse than a good 440C in my use.
And the Italians seem to like it a lot, given how many Fox and others seem to still use the steel.
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Re: What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
My experience with 440c has been with cheaper knives, so that's undoubtedly had an effect on my opinion.Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:05 pmDon’t sell 440C short. It’s still the steel of choice for many custom makers - I’ll take it any time! There’s nothing “laughable” about it.Rimfirekyle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:00 pm
I love D2 steel. I have several modern knives with D2 and it is a workhorse. I don't understand the aversion to sharpening some people have with traditional knives. Like the recent GEC barlows in 440c stainless. That steel would be laughable in a modern folder. But a modern stainless like m390 or 20cv would have been amazing. But people would have undoubtedly complained it was too hard.
https://www.jayfisher.com/Blades.htm#440C
Ken
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Re: What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
Great info! Thank you!cody6268 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:28 pmIt's one of my go-to steels as it approaches high-end performance without spending $100 or more on sharpening devices/gear. Along with 154CM and VG-10; it's got the right balance of edge retention and ease of sharpening. I think a lot of knife companies, I swear (half-jokingly) use such high end steels to sell high end sharpening systems.Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:05 pmDon’t sell 440C short. It’s still the steel of choice for many custom makers - I’ll take it any time!Rimfirekyle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:00 pm
I love D2 steel. I have several modern knives with D2 and it is a workhorse. I don't understand the aversion to sharpening some people have with traditional knives. Like the recent GEC barlows in 440c stainless. That steel would be laughable in a modern folder. But a modern stainless like m390 or 20cv would have been amazing. But people would have undoubtedly complained it was too hard.
Ken
I can usually get a working edge on abused old 440C Bucks using a super-cheap set of Harbor Freight diamond stones and the existing synthetic stones I own (Carborundum, Norton "India" and presumably Aluminum Oxide or similar) and or the inexpensive Work Sharp Guided Field Sharpener (basically a carrier with coarse and fine diamond stones, a ceramic rod, and a strop). I got a 105 screaming sharp with little knowledge.
Most Chinese knives that are "440C" are actually 8Cr13MOV which is considerably worse than a good 440C in my use.
And the Italians seem to like it a lot, given how many Fox and others seem to still use the steel.
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Re: What can you tell me about this man sized toothpick?
Entirely possible, even likely. The type of steel is just one part of the equation. How it is heat treated/tempered is the key to how it performs. 440C in the hands of a good knife maker is hard to beat. For more on 440C: https://www.jayfisher.com/440C-Love-Hate.htm Scroll down past the pictures to see more info about 440C.Rimfirekyle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 9:06 pmMy experience with 440c has been with cheaper knives, so that's undoubtedly had an effect on my opinion.Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:05 pmDon’t sell 440C short. It’s still the steel of choice for many custom makers - I’ll take it any time! There’s nothing “laughable” about it.Rimfirekyle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:00 pm
I love D2 steel. I have several modern knives with D2 and it is a workhorse. I don't understand the aversion to sharpening some people have with traditional knives. Like the recent GEC barlows in 440c stainless. That steel would be laughable in a modern folder. But a modern stainless like m390 or 20cv would have been amazing. But people would have undoubtedly complained it was too hard.
https://www.jayfisher.com/Blades.htm#440C
Ken
Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
https://www.akti.org/
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
https://www.akti.org/