Group Buy - Fighters

[Valkman]

Since being in Blade mag a few months ago I've had more orders but one guy has now ordered a ton of fighters - he wants to spend over $7k to outfit a Marine platoon!

I gave him a discounted price of $225 for the fighter and leather sheath. I use brown micarta on these and sandblast the handles. They typically have a 6" hollowground blade, are 12" overall and are made from CPMD2 or ATS-34. Paul Bos will heat treat these.

I am offering these to THR folks at the same $225 price to just make this one big buy/order.

If you want one let me know via PM your name, address and phone # and also whether you'd like the top edge sharpened. No money is required up front - I usually ask for payment when the knife is done and on the way to the sheathmaker. I take Paypal + 3% and MO and I pay for shipping CONUS.

I'm not sure how long these will take to make. I usually give a wait time of 2-3 months and hope to stick to that but may not be able to. But my "Big" customer feels this is a long war and will not hurry me so I should be able to work these in.

Here's what it looks like with the sandblasted brown micarta handles:

Get on the list!

 

[Todd A]

Sharpened edge length please?

Edit,never mind. Just saw total blade length is 6". Not Ct legal to carry.

 

[sm]

Valkman,

Congrats!!

I am so happy for you, this is so neat when one of our own gets some recognition and especially something of this magnitude.

Why I knew you back when...

Folks, the boy does a nice job on his knives, he really really does.

I do not have a fighter, and cannot afford one.
I do have one of his Small Skinners in "Tiger-Eye" Micarta with 01 blade, in a Lifters sheath.

I can only share what I have experience with.
The fit and finish was excellent, the ergonomics fits my hand like my hand was there when he made it.
Sharp as the dickens from the get go, and the Bos Heat treat is evident with the edge holding and ease of keeping sharp!

The knife does the work, with comfort.
Not to mention darn good looking!

I am believer in folks taking care of their own, and Valkman is one of our own.


Steve

 

[Browning]

Are most of the models of this particular knife made out of D2 Steel?

Or is it roughly 50/50 between that and ATS?

If there's a choice I'd prefer the D2, never had one it that before.

 

[Valkman]

Crucible CPMD2 is different from D2 - it's a new way of making it from powder and comes out tougher than D2. That's saying a lot!

I have 10 made and heat treated, all CPMD2 and they'll go towards the big order. I just did invetory and have enough ATS-34 for 9 knives and enough CPMD2 in bar form for 8 more knives. I like dealing with Crucible and they don't handle ATS-34 - and I find the CPMD2 so rough and hard to finish I really don't want to use it anymore. My next order will hopefully be 154CM (the same as ATS-34) or if can afford it CPM154CM.

Browning, I'll try and get you a CPMD2 one.

 

[Browning]

Valkman : Crucible CPMD2 is different from D2 - it's a new way of making it from powder and comes out tougher than D2. That's saying a lot!

Huh? I hadn't heard that there were different types of D2 steel.

From what I know of D2 steel, yeah that is saying alot.

I have 10 made and heat treated, all CPMD2 and they'll go towards the big order. I just did invetory and have enough ATS-34 for 9 knives and enough CPMD2 in bar form for 8 more knives. I like dealing with Crucible and they don't handle ATS-34 - and I find the CPMD2 so rough and hard to finish I really don't want to use it anymore. My next order will hopefully be 154CM (the same as ATS-34) or if can afford it CPM154CM.

Browning, I'll try and get you a CPMD2 one.

Okay, I appreciate it.

I just kind of had my heart set for some reason on a knife made out of that newfangled steel just because I've read a couple magazine articles about it, but I'm sure that I'll be happy with whatever knife I get from you after seeing your work for the past several months.

 

[RonSC]

Valkman:
Congrats on your new customer and your write-up in Blade mag. It's wonderful to hear about such selfless acts of kindness and concern from folks like this gentleman willing to invest so much in our most precious resorce...our fighting men and women!! This Vietnam Vet certainly applauds his kindness as well as yours. Please convey my personal thanks to him! Keep us updated on your progress.

RonSC

 

[Valkman]

Ron, this guy was in a Marine Recon unit and yea he's going all the way with this one!

He also wants no credit and wants me to send the knives, not telling anyone who he is.

I'm thinking about starting a drive for other stuff like Boresnakes, Surefire G2 flashlights, Sour Skittles, just anything that we could send also.

 

[Valkman]

Browning, what Crucible does is take an existing steel (like D2 or 154CM) and make it in powdered form. Then they turn it into steel, but because it started as powder it's much more uniform on the inside than regular steel. CPMD2 is supposed to be TWICE as tough as D2!

I cannot find a data sheet from Crucible on this steel, which is odd. Here's what it says about it at Texas Knifemaker's, where I buy a lot of stuff (but not steel):

CPM high-performance tool and specialty steels are premier products of Crucible Specialty Metals Division. The process of producing CPM products involves gas atomization of pre-alloyed molten steel to form powder that is then isostatically compressed into 100% dense compacts, which creates among other things, extremely uniform carbide distribution. This process creates a product that offers improved grind ability, toughness, and wear-resistance.

But it's hell for me to clean up on the sides - I grind and grind with 100 grit paper on the 9" grinding disc and pits and stuff are still there! I've had to resort to using a 60grit belt on my grinder, then start over with the finishing process.

 

[hso]

Lemme put it this way, Walter Brend swears the CPMD2 is the best knife steel he's ever come across. A booger to work with, but it makes a heck of a hard use blade. Toss in a good heat treat and you've got something you can hold onto forever.

 

[Valkman]

Yea, anything that calls for "gas atomization of pre-alloyed molten steel to form powder that is then isostatically compressed into 100% dense compacts" is way over my head to explain but it's hard as woodpecker lips to grind!

 

[sm]

...it's hard as woodpecker lips to grind!

Now we are speaking my language too! *grin*

Good grief! Why don't some folks just say it this way in the first place...

 

[The Highlander]

This is extremely tempting...

 

[Valkman]

For anyone that's going to carry this knife I was reminded last night of how much thicker and heavier the CPMD2 is. They don't sell it in 3/16" or 1/4" widths but a "range" like .200-.227. I was grind down the handles on 2 Fighters last night and thought something was wrong because one was so much lighter and thinner than the other. That's because my ATS-34 starts at 3/16" or .1875" and gets thinned some from there while the CPMD2 stock is starting at about .225" and ending up around .220". ATS-34 makes a fine knife and would be my choice if I'm going to lug it around all day.

 

[Valkman]

Update - I got 3 of these about done when I found out that Dan at Relentless Knives needs what I'm sending for the MAP program very soon. This suprised me and the 3 I had done were to go to my "big customer" and the first GB order. But pressed with filling orders or sending these to soldiers I have to send them to Iraq. I figure most will understand - I'm sure not making any money not filling orders but it's just something I have to do.

There's still a few water marks on the handles from sharpening but they look pretty good - just need to logo and send them.

And here's another option on these - one guy ordered Green/Black Linen Micarta and I bought enough to do several knives so if you like this stuff let me know! It's "subdued" because I sandblasted it and it looks fantastic!

 

[Fred Fuller]

All right, that did it.

I could just whistle on by this whole foofaraw till you had to go and drag out the green micarta. You KNOW I have a weakness for that. It ain't right to take advantage that'a'way. Just ain't right.

So make me one in green micarta, out of ATS-34 if you can get it- I like lighter too. And sharpen the false edge while you're at it, and get Lifter to work on a sheath for it too.

Dang it. PM inbound...

lpl/nc

 

[sm]

Lee will also need a set of matching stocks for a K frame.

Can't have the boy going around with stuff not matching.
For sure not his wife, once she sees this stuff.

*I'm helping*

 

[Fred Fuller]

Steve,

That would be a round butt K frame... and slim at that. I can snitch the walnut stocks off her Model 13 for a pattern if needed. If the knife fits her hand, she's gonna claim it anyway. She might as well have K frame stocks to go with it.

What can I do? I'm stuck with her, she says I can leave her if I want but no matter where I go she's coming along with me.

8^)

lpl/nc

 

[sm]

Lee,

You and your wonderful wife are great folks, and I appreciate the friendship.
I'm serious, when I share, Valkman does a really great knife, based on one of his I have.

Micarta is neat, and makes for great stocks.
Then get the Small Skinner to match.

The dawgs are getting left out, I betcha Valkman can make a dawgie size to fit them.

Don, he has 3 dawgs from BIG, Gonna get BIG and Not so big.

*I help real good*

 

[Brian Dale]

...pressed with filling orders or sending these to soldiers I have to send them to Iraq. I figure most will understand...

Yep. People are going to remember that you're a man whose principles are more than just talk. Beautiful looking knives, too.

 

[waterhouse]

While I don't need a knife this large, if you think you might, buy one. I have a few of Valkman's smaller blades and they are fantastic, and the price is crazy low for what they are.

 

[JShirley]

I think these Fighters look terrific.

I will say, Don's Landshark looks to be about the perfect knife for a combat troop, with one caveat (only partially joking): it's too nice.

John

 

[Valkman]

As of now you can request a Kydex sheath in Black or Digital Camo for the same price. They can have a small or large Tek-lok or another sweet device for attaching to Molle gear. The makers of these sheaths are right here in Pahrump and here's their website: www.redhillsheaths.com

 

[mercop]

Congrats bro, if I had the coin i would be in. That piece is right up my alley.

 

[Valkman]

That's a compliment coming from you, my friend!