Chris Grant and I have been in cahoots again.
We’ve been pondering whether or not a stainless steel knife can be hard used for camping and camp work.
Chris and I decided to look into the matter.
Imagine, a knife that can be used in damp/wet conditions without staining or corrosion.
A knife that will keep a good edge and is easy to sharpen.
A great idea, one that I was keen to explore.
Chris sourced some good quality stainless from Sweden, apparently the popular 12C27 steel is no longer made. I have some French Laguiole eating knives with this steel, treasured possessions.
He used some new 14C28N, doesn’t roll off the tongue, but there you go.
This 14C28N steel is very similar to 12C27, fine grained, with a keen edge, it also contains Nitrogen molecules, which significantly increase the stain resistance, with no loss of that desirable keen edge; it’s VERY stainless, stainless steel.
So, what handle would compliment this ultra modern blade?…
Previously, Chris has made several ‘Special Edition’ MaChris knives utilising Stabilized wood. This is a process whereby softer woods, like birch or walnut, or weaker woods, such as spalted woods, can be impregnated with a thermo-setting acrylic resin.
Also, this plasticising process makes the handle waterproof!
Ideal for a multi purpose outdoors knife!
As this was the first proper custom knife he had made for me, Chris wanted to do something different and appropriate, personal.
So, for the handle, he opted to use Birch polypore mushroom!
This fungus, often referred to as ‘the razor strop fungus’ has a rich history and many many uses.
It was a very appropriate choice of material considering I have used it many times in the past for honing blades.
The Polypore and I are intimately connected to the Birch tree.
It’s part of our lives….
After some telephone conversations about slight design changes, Chris got to work.
One sunny morning, the postie arrived with a package…
Here it is !!!
Blade:
Sandvik 14C28N. A variant on the very popular 12C27 steel, used for razor blades, French Laguoile, Mora, Brusletto and Karesuando knives.
This variant allows for much greater stain resistance having 0.11% Nitrogen added to the alloy.
The fine grain structure allows a very fine edge, finer than the vast majority of stainless blade steels.
Hardened to 58/59 HRC
Handle:
Stabalised Birch Polypore (Pitoporus betulinus) a common Birch fungus renowned for its many uses.
(I think the use of Pitoporus betulinus for knife scales may be a world first)
It was cut, dried and impregnated with methylacrylate resin.
Most wood when stabilized takes on 20-40% mass, this fungus took on 737%!!
Stabilised/plasticized by Cliff Schooling of Crandart Knives.
Sarah and I took it for an outing up the Dart gorge.
The first job I gave it was dressing up some Chanterelle.
I took it to the Wilderness Gathering and demonstrated spoon carving with it.
Carving some easy Birch.
Now I’m home again, unpacked and settled, I thought I should give the knife a good test against my current MaChris made in 52100 bearing steel.
First off I gave them a good sharpen on Japanese water stones supplied by Matthew Platt
I selected some year seasoned Laburnum.
Of all the types of wood I have carved in my time, I find that if a blade is going to get damaged, it’ll get damaged in Laburnum.
I carved a small spoon using each knife and gave the blade a light strop, a couple of passes, once, at the half way point.
Both spoons turned out well.
I inspected the blades under a magnifying glass. I remember testing the 52100 steel some time ago through Laburnum, the results were the same then as now, there was a slight blunting of the cutting edge, the knife was still useable and became sharp after another light strop.
The surprise of the match was the Stainless steel.
There was a little damage noticeable under close inspection with the magnifier, tiny micro pressure chips, pretty well invisible to the naked eye. Even with this light damage, the knife was still sharp.
An aggressive edge that would still, without any further work, see you right for your remaining camp work until you had time to attend to it.
I used it in this state to cut some leather for a strop, it cut without a problem.
The stainless MaChris deals with softer woods without any issues.
The handle material is something else to look at, beautiful.
I worked some of the carving in direct sunlight, the handle remained quite neutral with regards to grip. Not at all slippery.
I gave both knives a quick go on the waters stones, both became sharp with minimal work.
I am super impressed with this Stainless steel.
Chris Grant and I will add this to the family of MaChris now available as a special order item.
A great knife for those of us that may wish to paddle their way into the great outdoors.
Or for those who live and work in some of the wetter parts of the world.
Chris and I have also been busy with the design pencil, we have only the one and we share it between us.
If you are interested in this MaChris Stainless steel type, please feel free to contact Chris Grant at…
In a few months time I should be able to show you something new and quite special from the MaChris design shop.
Thanks all.
Enjoy.
J.
Congratulations to you and Chris on another fine knife. I have Mora knives in both steels and find very little difference in the performance though, living on the water (literally!), the carbon steel blade takes a bit more maintenance (surprisingly enough, not that much). A really good choice of steel.
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