I have a hunting knife made with A-2 and I’m pretty happy with it. I get it very sharp and it seems to stay that way for a long time. There is a part of me that always wonders whether I’m leaving something on the table.

Am I?

I have 3 Mission knives in A2 steel and they have been great. You're leaving nothing on the table.

Pictured here (bottom one has a beta Ti blade):



(Top to Bottom):
2004 MPK12-A2 12" serrated AlTiN
2000 MPK-S 10.5" A2 AlTiN serrated
1999 MPKS 10.5" model w/Al Ti Nitride coated plain A2 blade prototype (note no lanyard hole) shown at SHOT show
2004 MPK10 Ti 10.5" model with beta titanium blade

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
I have a hunting knife made with A-2 and I’m pretty happy with it. I get it very sharp and it seems to stay that way for a long time. There is a part of me that always wonders whether I’m leaving something on the table.

Am I?

There's better steels available today. Better in every way, edge retention, toughness. For a fixed blade steel CPM3V.

Some of the sharpest, toughest knives made were by the late Phill Hartsfield. His steel was A2, his heat treat was proprietary and worked! Use it and enjoy its edge holding properties.

One thing I've learned collecting knives for over 30 years is not to get caught up in the boutique steels. For most of us 440C, properly heat treated would be fine.

quote:

Originally posted by UTsig:
One thing I've learned collecting knives for over 30 years is not to get caught up in the boutique steels. For most of us 440C, properly heat treated would be fine.

Well said. The latest steels aren't always a better choice than the tried and true.

A2 is a good steel. Some of the modern super steels have advantages, but A2 is excellent. Don't fret about minor differences.

I like my Barkies in A2. Nice to be able to sharpen em at some point. Will stain, so what?
Working knives, not collectors. YMMV.

quote:

Originally posted by muzzleloader:
I like my Barkies in A2. Nice to be able to sharpen em at some point. Will stain, so what?
Working knives, not collectors. YMMV.

Bark River uses convex edges. Good advice on how to easily sharpen here: https://www.knivesshipfree.com...e-sharpening-videos/

quote:

Originally posted by feersum dreadnaught:

quote:

Originally posted by muzzleloader:
I like my Barkies in A2. Nice to be able to sharpen em at some point. Will stain, so what?
Working knives, not collectors. YMMV.

Bark River uses convex edges. Good advice on how to easily sharpen here: https://www.knivesshipfree.com...e-sharpening-videos/

Thanks for that feersum, just the way I've been doing it. It is surprising how sharp a convex edge can get and how quickly you can bring it back with a little wet/dry paper.

quote:

Originally posted by muzzleloader:

quote:

Originally posted by feersum dreadnaught:

quote:

Originally posted by muzzleloader:
I like my Barkies in A2. Nice to be able to sharpen em at some point. Will stain, so what?
Working knives, not collectors. YMMV.

Bark River uses convex edges. Good advice on how to easily sharpen here: https://www.knivesshipfree.com...e-sharpening-videos/

Thanks for that feersum, just the way I've been doing it. It is surprising how sharp a convex edge can get and how quickly you can bring it back with a little wet/dry paper.

I'll echo the thanks and confirm that convex edges can be ridiculously sharp. Albert at Seattle Edge, my sharpener guy, absolutely recommends them for any blade where the geometry is appropriate for it. He's done a number of my knives and educated me on stropping and feather edge maintenance as opposed to "sharpening" and steel removal. Convex for the win.

Some great stuff in the short bit of time I skimmed through those vids. Definitely will watch the rest.

I appreciate everyone’s thoughts. Interestingly enough the Bark River Knives are what brought this to my mind.

My go to hunting knife for the past 20 years has been a Blackjack Trailguide it’s a good design but I’d like to compliment it with a drop point design.

Bark River's CPM-3V is phenomenal. If you are picking between A2 and 3V, go 3V.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
I appreciate everyone’s thoughts. Interestingly enough the Bark River Knives are what brought this to my mind.

My go to hunting knife for the past 20 years has been a Blackjack Trailguide it’s a good design but I’d like to compliment it with a drop point design.

Take a look at https://surviveknives.com/ offerings. Surviveknives grind is thinner behind the edge, I believe a little better grind for a hunting knife, skinner/cutter..... Fit and finish is very good.