Knife edges, new alloys and ego.

[The Tourist]

"You are the snail in the garden of the devil." Well that's an interesting phrase.

LOL. It's more of an idiom.

Kind of like, "You're lower than a snake's belly." A scungili.

Actually, it was kind of humorous, and complimentary. Besides, it was my turn. A few weeks ago, my check from the central corporation was late, and we didn't know why it was held, or how to fix the problem. My wife and I needed a few groceries and gas money. My boss, Mike, drove to my house and gave me 100 bucks out his own wallet. I thanked him, and promised him a quick return on his money.

He looked at me with a devilish grin, and paused the conversation with an upswept hand. He then used the old canard, "I collect favors, not money."

We try to outdo each other. It's boyish. And selling him the knife was the most expensive thing I have ever done. I'll pay for it over and over again.

 

[Otony]

The Tourist,

I find your postings exceedingly interesting, as I own various pocket knives of different steels. I suppose I was (am?) like the majority of average blade users, unable to discern much of a difference between steels, and expecially ignorant of the need for different sharpening techniques for different steels.

One of my favorite knives for EDC is a Benchmade 555, a mini-Griptillian with plain edge. This is an older version, with a sheepsfoot blade, oval thumbhole, and 440c. I like it so much, that when the Ritter designed version of the larger Griptillian became available, I immediately bought one. The steel on those is S30V, as I am sure you know.

Having those two knives to compare finally woke me up to the difference in performance. As odd as it might sound, I find it far easier to touch up the 440c blade, and it definitely holds an edge better. Now I realize this may well have something to do with my, ahem, techniques, or lack of same in sharpening.

Just for grins, after I read this, I purchased the same D'allara as yours, plus another Benchmade 555, this time in 154CM. I also have another Axis lock Benchmade in D2. Yeah, its a disease, but a mans gotta do...etc.

I typically only carry one knife at a time, but may just try two for awhile to "feel" the differences in perfromance. Now if I only knew more about your sharpening techniques!

 

[Kingcreek]

My maternal grandfather was a skilled oldworld cabinet-maker, woodworker. He had me sit on his lap at a bench in his shop and guided my hands as we sharpened planer blades and chisels, and later pocketknife blades. This was before I was 5 and he died when I was 10. I've always been comfortable sharpening free hand and I still have his stones.
I have my paternal grandfathers circa 1900 Marble's Ideal and you could shave or quarter an elk with it. There is no new knife that would outperform it.
Some of the new steels are great but they have certain qualities that respond to different methods. I love good D2 but I like it a little toothy. It seems to work better if I don't polish it but sharpen with the course sticks of my sharpmaker. I'm carrying a Dozier folding hunter in Bob's signature D2 right now. I also like the good scandi's, esp the Roselli and older Eriksson high carbon blades. Speaking of scandinavian, the steel in my Gransfor Bruks axe is some real sweet stuff.
There are quality steels both traditional and new. They might require more understanding and different techniques to get the most out of them. For some of us, that's part of the fascination and allure.