KnifeCenter FAQ #38: Strength Vs Edge Retention + Sharpening Tantos, New York City Knife Laws, More!

Hello everyone, here comes David C. Andersen from KnifeCenter. Welcome to KniFAQ number 38, the

knife

series where I answer all your questions about whether they are sharp or dull. This week, we'll talk about cut-resistant gloves, how to sharpen blades that sharp, and the difference between

strength

and

edge

retention

when it comes to steel. Let's get into it. (KniFAQ) Of course, we have a lot

more

topics to cover than those, because you guys have been asking some really interesting questions in the comments. Thanks guys for that. If you'd like a chance to have your question featured in a future episode, please leave it below.

And we'll go through and pick some good ones. As of this week with Tyler TC, would you recommend Benchmade Adamas or ZT 308 for

strength

and

edge

retention

? So, yes, the difference between the two things you said, its strength and edge retention, are different things that work against each other, but we'll discuss them here. Both knives were definitely considered heavy duty folders, lots of strength, lots of edge retention on both, but two very different steels, so it depends on what you're going to prioritize. If you're going to go with edge retention, I'd definitely give it to the 308.

The 20hp steel here should have a

more

durable edge than the kit at Benchmade had and this particular

knife

is priced perfectly at 300 in these days three and three quarter inch blade with locking titanium frame, titanium liner and G 10 on the front and a really good cutting profile on this knife despite having a big wide blade like this. I've always really appreciated what they give you here, but when it comes to strength, you know locks go in there, but the toughness aspect of steel also plays a role in terms of locking. Frame locks can be very strong.

AXIS Lock also tends to be very strong. I personally prefer AXIS Lock just because that's what I like. I love its fast action. So I'm not really going to compare, you know, it's hard to compare one-to-one the lock strength on this ZT and this bench because we don't have the kind of testing equipment to do that. So we leave that aside when we get to the differences in steel. As for strength, the hardness in winter will definitely be that of the equipment that was in this Benchmade, it is not stainless, which is why you see this coating here, but as is typical, non-stainless tends to be stronger than stainless steel comparable and we see that. here.

Edge is going to last a long time. Do not misunderstand. It's no slouch compared to those 20 hp, but the toughness definitely takes some steps forward. And the prices for these are better too. I mean, this is the automatic version here of the Adamas that comes in just over 300 like 306. But the non-autos are around 238. It's significantly cheaper than the ZT there. So in the end the question of what is right or wrong for you comes down to what you are going to use it for, what your priorities are, and I always say, and I hold this true in my There are also knife options, the harder, You're going to push a knife harder, you're going to hit him worse, you're going to treat him, so to speak.

Toughness becomes increasingly important. So, I hope that helps. Yes. Alright, the next question comes from Spiro Theodorus. Again, I find that the second most common task I use my knife for is cutting fruit, mainly apples and oranges, but really all kinds and none of my folders are long enough. And then when I'm near the kitchen, I use my paring knife. Can you recommend an EDC folder with a longer blade that would be appropriate for this type of task? Absolutely. I would say for something like this definitely look for knives with paring knife-like blades. Because one is going to prepare the food very, very well.

And also when we talk about the evolution of knife design over the centuries, the paring knife hasn't changed for a long time because not only does it do everything that prepares food very well. It was also like the de facto style of utility knife for many cultures of the time. So it's a well-refined and tested way. So I have another ZT here to start. This is the 707, this knife should work excellent on attractive things for food or fruit and it costs approximately just under 250. Here again you have a three and a half inch 20hp steel blade, it's funny to see that it's not that much. shorter than those 300 but very different animals as you can see.

But you've got that great steel, good edge retention. You've got the stainless steel qualities that will be greatly appreciated when you're slicing fruit and Hi, they're a completely flat shred and even a bump here along part of the spine should perform those tasks very well. And just like the utilitarian uses of peeler style knives, you know, they make great EDC too. It is now a titanium framed locking fin with carbon fiber on the front. But you also get a couple of new things on the ZT Arsenal, so to speak, a tight retention system, where the detent ball that keeps the blade in the closed position is on the front of the knife instead of being integrated with the back and the locking bars, you can put a little pressure on that locking bar without affecting the opening action.

It still opens pretty well. Now, if you really push it, you can get it to slow down a little. But in everyday use, you don't have to think about what some frame locks do. Here you also have a nice deep pocket clip. It's actually screwed on from the inside of the knife, so there are no screws sticking out, nor a small part of the clip sticking out. This can go very easily in and out of the pocket nice and deep, and you get a really fair. It takes up little space when folded. If you want something with a little more belly, you have a super nice tip on this ZT, which is more of a paring knife, in that case you might want to check out the Boker urban Trapper, which is a design by Mr.

Brad Zinker, nice narrow blade profile, again hollow ground in this case, but I still think it'll work pretty well on preppy food stuff, even if I prefer a flat grind for quote-unquote kitchen tasks. Vg 10 steel, three and a half inches again. Very, very similar in length. It looks like the ZT has a slightly sharper edge than these Bokers here. But I like the way this type is finished, it has titanium handles with a nice horizontal grain texture and a very premium feel, and this particular version, without any inlay, it's just the straight titanium, it comes in around 105 .And it also has a deep finish. carry pocket clip, in this case too.

Nice Framelock swivel action ball bearings on the pivots of both knives. And that's not necessarily ideal for food preparation; You'll want to make sure you keep them clean and greased with something that's food safe. I've always liked mineral oil, but there are also many high-tech food-grade oils. But I especially like the open structure of the handle of this poker. Because again, it's easy to clean that up when you're done cutting it, you know, oranges, especially that juice can get into the pivots and just keep it clean, and you should be in good shape. But look at those guys.

I hope that helps. Yes Yes. Those little cuts on your fingers are great. The next question comes from James Borkowsky. How do you sharpen it somewhat? Blade? Very cool. Actually a common question, the principles, I will address how to treat it differently than other knives out there. But the principles are the same as

sharpening

anything you use with as fine a grip as possible to initially set the edge, work the burr, work it back from the other side. We have a series of

sharpening

videos. We'll be sure to link to it. If so, you need basic information about that.

But in terms of how they differ from sharpening anything else, you basically just have to treat each angle of the Tanto as a separate blade or a separate edge. So this is a Cold Steel, this is the mini Kyoto, the Kyoto one, I should say. And you're going to go in with your stone, your sharpener, whatever you're using, you can even use things like Work Sharp's belt sharpeners, but you're just going to go in and sharpen it straight. border here from the heel to the transition point. Don't go through that or you'll end up losing that point.

And you won't have that kind of style as much after a while. But once you get where you want it to be, go ahead and hit the leading edge as well. Same thing, just a little bit, don't go over the edge, you want to keep it nice and crispy. Beyond that, just continue with finer and finer grits until you have the shaving edge you're looking for, or whatever shaving edge you're looking for. It takes a little practice to be sure that Kyoto has a very defined American-style Tanto blade. But there are some shapes of Tanto that are a little bit more of a hybrid between this Western-style Tanto and a traditional Japanese Tanto that doesn't really have those sharp points that outline the two edges.

I'm thinking the things you'll combine with things like the SOG Trident and the Saga Assisted Opening Knife are around $95. And you have that transition point here. But you have quite a bit of belly here at the forefront. Right in front of that ruler there, this is essentially a drop point profile. But with these you can certainly go in and sharpen it in one continuous motion, whether you're using stones or rods or whatever, just know that you're going to lose that point a little bit, but for me, I tend to prefer a drop point. Anyway, I actually like how this would look once that dot disappears after a series of adjustments.

So you can certainly tune it that way even with the sharpest style here. Just know that you are going to lose that defining point. If you want to keep it, treat them as separate edges. Alright, next question comes from Steven Grobler. How is dcaa two questions? I'm looking for new gloves while making excellent use of the word while bushcrafting, camping and carving. Can you recommend cut resistant gloves? I handle very sharp knives and have been close on a few occasions even when I'm careful and use leather versus kydex. sheath. It's great when I'm personally camping doing my outdoor stuff.

I tend to just use a pair of thick leather work gloves and tend to find that they work quite well, they are not cut resistant but they will be if you have a close situation it will help a little. But in real terms, like cut-resistant gloves that are geared or could be geared toward more outdoor use. The first thing I usually think of is food preparation type gloves, but those aren't going to work very well. You know they're a little slick when you're going to push things, you want something a little different. So I have two options here that we can look at very quickly.

So I'll start with the black pair here, these are made by Hatch, they are the endurance glove and their Kevlar line is around $36. And again, it's not a definitive test, but it will help you a little. They are not really a pair of outdoor gloves. Honestly, it seems more like you know a pair of winter gloves or even just a pair of driving gloves. But this is certainly an option: you have the leather on the outside and the leather. The other reason I like leather, besides the protection it offers when using some of the tougher knives, it's also great for all types of uses.

While you're out at camp, gathering brush or firewood, working with brush, that kind of thing, lifting a hot pan or pot off the fire, you'll also get some protection from the heat. So I definitely like those. But again, I don't know if this is quite an outdoorsy style, you could certainly use it for something that makes a difference. Cold Steel makes their tactical battle gloves at a very similar price, around $37. So just a little bit more. And the palms and insides of the fingers on these are not cut resistant. There's just a simple leather panel there.

Then you will get the benefits of leather there. The outside of the knuckles and the back of the hand have these cut resistant panels, they call it what it is again, cut resistant with a rating of 85. So you're going to get some protection there. If you go into a box when you're carving and it comes back and hits the top of your hand or your knuckles. This might be a good middle ground option for you to take a look at. Interestingly, these are large and fit me better than the extra large ones on the hatches. So if you're not sure about your glove size, maybe order a size larger on the couch, would you say they would have to order a little larger than your average?

You will definitely want to use a size a little larger than your average glove size. If you are an idiot. Well done Thomas. Good job. Good job. Forward. Next question, which Levi shared, I'm approaching my 21st birthday and I'm looking to get my first good knife. Happy birthday to you sir, I'm looking for all metal under $300 and made in the USA.I'm going to school in Manhattan and I'm looking for something I can take there. Concealable to less than four inches, no automatic or gravity knives, etc. And I currently have my eyes on the all-titanium ZT 450.

Go. I was wondering if you could convince me that this would be a good first knife that suits my needs or if you had any better recommendations. I'm also wondering if you would have a recommendation for a super deep pocket clip as well. love your videos. Thank my Lord. And I had a long question. I even edited it a little to get some air in here. But I want it, I love it. I love getting into it. So I have to give some caveats here, right up front, before I get into the answer. I'm not a lawyer.

This program is not legal advice. So take everything I say only as advice. Investigate all these things on your own. I think we're covered. Quite. I think that's enough. But there is one thing you'll want to be careful of. Even though the situation on the ground in New York City is much better than it was a few years ago thanks to the great people working on knife rights and the

laws

they helped pass in New York. Opening knives that close with one hand can still be a bit of a problem on public transport. There is a similar statute and traffic code somewhere that they could use to not allow you to use those knives or view them as gravity knives and prosecute.

According to Knife Rights, at least their website, which will make sure we leave a link to their New York City page. You might be fine. He's probably even okay, but he hasn't been tried in court yet. So keep that in mind when, when you carry a knife in New York City, you always want to be very cautious, just because we tend not to look too closely at our knife, folks. The other thing I would say is don't worry at all about the pocket clip on a knife like this, because interestingly enough, while most places in the country they don't want you to hide your stuff.

In New York City, you must keep your knife completely hidden. And that includes the pocket clip. It also includes making sure the knife doesn't print through clothing in a pocket. It seems a little silly, but that's the situation. So pocket clothes won't make any difference to you as long as you wear them in New York City. Keep it inside a pocket. And at least with a knife like this, it's nice and thin, so you have a better chance of avoiding some printing. I think that's all the non-professional advice I have to give you. But is this a good first pretty knife for you?

Should I convince him? It's a really cool little knife. You get all that ZT, quality price is quite reasonable. Let's see, I'm going to reach 160 or so. Where is my boy? Oh yeah, 188 these days, so not bad at all. Well under your budget of $300. It is not that big. You will get an excellent steel, S 45. You will get excellent turning action, thanks to the ball bearings. And I haven't seen many deep pocket clips for these, but I haven't been looking for them either. But again, be careful with that. Yes, I think it is a very good option for you.

Let me check my notes here. Let's see if I remembered all the warnings very quickly. Zoom. Yes. But many thanks to the knife rights people. They just launched their latest steel raffle for this year, which is their big fundraising campaign where you can buy raffle tickets. Again, we'll leave a link to his New York City page and we'll probably leave a link to his ultimate steel and also throw a bone. I love those guys. They do really amazing things. Definitely worth supporting, at least in my personal opinion. Neither legal advice nor sanction from KnifeCenter. tips. I, David C.

Andersen. Next question, Gary Bruner asks, Hi David, with all the newer slip join or double retention folders that have come out in the last few years. Do you have any recommendations looking for one with micarta? scale? Or would you nice appreciate your thoughts? Sure. My friend Gary, how are you sir? I have a couple of options here. And when it comes to the style of retaining joint knives, where I think they really stand out is when they have some type of twist mechanism built in. And that's when I think they really hold up like it feels like there's more than one reason for them.

Then over a traditional slip joint mechanism. You get that quick opening and that kind of restless action if that's what you're looking for. If you were looking if that's not what you're looking for I would personally go with a more classic slip joint mechanism because there is a little more resistance in the closure, they feel a little more secure in my opinion. But here I have to spot hinge fins to take a look at: we have the Civivi Appalachian hobo and of course the ArtisanCutlery small hobo, which is a KnifeCenter exclusive pattern in this small size, both with a detent joint.

So we'll start that archeo with a price tag of just under $100 for the Vg 10 Damascus versions and around $80 for a couple of the versions we have now with a nine RPM powder metallurgical steel and just a more satin finish. But you get a nice modified Wharncliffe shape, with vibes similar to perhaps a Kershaw fugue. If you know, if you like that style of knife, it will be a good alternative under three inches, and you have that retaining joint so you can see what I'm talking about in terms of Compared to a traditional slip joint, you have to press a little more to close the knife.

But you have a tab on the case of this particular knife, and it actually opens very well and that tab also becomes a good safety. Not just because your fingers slide forward, as all the tabs on the fins work. But also, if the blade comes loose and you start closing your fingers, it will prevent it from moving. Besides that. There's also a little pin that's attached here, while I'm fumbling with it, sorry, you can insert it right behind it and lock the blade in the position it's in, whether it's open or closed, so you have a little more peace of mind if you really need it, or you keep it out of the way and no one will ever know you actually have locking capability because overall this is just a very good non-locking knife.

And of course it's pretty pakkawood. Here you also have some micarta options. And you weren't asking for these specifically, but we have some g cans and grained carbon fibers. Also, if you prefer something with a more traditional leaf-shaped style, it's not completely traditional here, but it leans more in that direction. The Civivi Appalachian tramp is quite nice and there are some good steel options here. If you're looking for the highest edge retention between these two, you've got s 35 vn on this v v, which is pretty good. There is also a Damascus version, but the nine uses of the CR-based Damascus Civivi will not match the edge retention of the Vg 10 Damascus on the craftsman, both will be quite good.

But by the same token, in terms of the length of the blade, which is less than three inches, we have a high, hollow grind instead of a flat grind. They probably have a little better cutting geometry overall on this particular knife because of that high gap and the thinner blade to boot. And here you also have a nice fin tab that doesn't stick out at the back like a traditional fin tab. This is more of a top rear fin that works very well. But you don't get the same safety benefits as a traditional fin tab. So now you know, use this knife with a little care that goes with the territory.

And you also have that makara you asked for. As for the price, about $83 for these. So yeah, definitely as far as edge retention, especially at the same price as the RPM nine on the others, I'd probably give it to the S 35 on this knife. Alright, that brings us to our lightning round today. Mica v. AC DC, can you recommend a knife that seems to suit every style, something I can pair with dress clothes at an event or with blue jeans working in the garage? Thanks, Steph ZT. We really looked at the 450, there are a lot of titanium knives out there.

That could work very well. But I think this one fits very well. You have a stonewashed finish on the handle. So it has that look that will look great over a pair of blue jeans, but it's still quite slim in shape and not so big that it's also too much in polite society. So definitely check that guy out. Actually, maybe Urban Trapper could be something nice too. This one is a little more resistant. But this one could also be good for our friend from New York. Yes, it's even thinner. It might be even better to avoid printing in your pocket.

However, the answer is that ZT. Next question. Alexander Small Yakov asks, then, in the world of knives, what brands of knives are exotic, like Lamborghini, which is luxury, like a Rolls Royce, a Grand Touring or an Aston Martin, what are the new Teslas that are going to group most of them together until You, Chris Reeve, pure Gaurav Roxton, really nice, really good set of things there. As for nyfw. Tesla is clearly the Kaiser cybertruck, I mean CyberKnife right here. Yes, there you have it. The next question comes from Michael Dell. Hey, I've liked knives most of my life.

I have a lot of lower quality knives and want to move up to higher quality ones, but I still stay in the $40-$50 range. Any suggestions? Yes, pay. Nowadays, there are many things from brands like Civivi, CJRB and Bestech in that price range that are exceptionally well put together. Check, check out pretty much anything from those brands in that price range and you'll be in pretty good shape. Alright, asks Jim B, I love that the series was entertaining and informative. So let's go for it. Thank you. My question is looking for my first frame lock fin.

What would you recommend for relatively heavy use and would you love to hamper XM? 18 three and a half, but not the price. ZT said again. For $50,188. Similar enough style to the obstacles that you could probably get what you're looking for a little smaller. There's ZT's 562, which is very similar to the Hinderer 3.5, but costs about $70-$90 more than this knife, but it would be nice if that other 562 was a good option as well. Alright, next question comes from David Slavic. Hi David. I really love your videos and your knowledge. I need a new knife for a gentleman to carry, but also for everyday hard work, flush screws with extra deep or deep pocket clip.

My EDC today is the Spyderco Sage and it is perfect, but you understand the need to buy something new. Yes. Yes. This episode is not sponsored by ZT but 707 look at that guy. A really nice knife. You've got the deep carry there. Are you a gentleman? Perhaps the little 450 is more difficult to use and gentlemen. This type can certainly be used quite a bit, but perhaps has a more delicate feel in terms of ambience or aesthetics. Non-sponsored content. There you go. I hope they don't get bored of this. We'll see what happens. Which knife would make the best letter opener? asks Dave Goodridge.

I'm almost embarrassed to say it now. ZT 707. Any of these, these executive style knives, are going to be really cool. You want a long, thin blade like a paring knife. So that ZT, that urban Trapper that we saw earlier, both phenomenal options for that. And then of course CRKT CEO on the budget end of the spectrum is like the default answer to his question, get it with buttons here or the new fin version. Take your pick, both are quite nice. Alright, that brings us to the end and our most serious question of the day, which comes from LSI.

I'm looking for a knife to open my emails. I'm using an ax right now. But that is a bit complicated. You can't use your letter opener on emails. But you will need a longer edge than the typical x. What you need is this board shell divider very clearly, most of them don't come with KnifeCenter logo. This is just our special office gift of about $500, huge, you're going to make a bit of a mess, although it's kind of inevitable because remember, I mean, the files are on the computer, you have to access them somehow. Just make sure you defrag the drive afterwards or something.

That's all for today folks, be sure to leave your questions below for our future episodes, we'll pick and find some really good ones. Quick note next weekend. We won't be here with our normal knife segment here because the knife show is happening and we will be at the show, shooting videos, interviewing companies for their new knives and publishing them for you. It will be very fun. We are very excited to get back on the road. Also leave us your questions about the events at Blade Show. Maybe we'll have a special edition of the knife and blade show next week.

Good material. Anyway, if you want to get your hands on any of these knives here, we'll leave links in the description and give youWe'll be sure to sign you up for our knife rewards program so you can earn some free money to spend on your next knives. I'm David C. Andersen from KnifeCenter and we say goodbye, until next time.