H1 Vs 6K

[Jimmy_Dean]

Ok, this has been bugging me for a little while.

I have no experience whatsoever with 6K (or talonite). I'm saving up to buy a Mayo TnT in a not so near future(that's a lot of money for something I'll never use....) and most/ a lot of them are made of talonite, which is said to be virtually rustproof.

I'm curious to know what's the difference between H1 and talonite and how does it perform. I've never seen any 6k outside high-priced custom knives, is there a reson for that?

Thanks

-Dean

[severedthumbs]

doubt this will help much but it is good info.


http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/talonite.html

[severedthumbs]

doubt this will help much but it is good info.


http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/talonite.html


I believe Talonite is much more wear resistant than H-1.

I am in the process of purchasing a TMX and Dr. Death. Good choice on that TNT. If you want a good user get the Buck Mayo TNT, it is an awesome knife for the price.

[Titus]

Talonite is not really popular. Probably because it is not a steel . It it is mostly cobalt. I think that it is softer than steel also. From what I have heard, it holds an edge extremely well. At least as good as 440V/S60V, probably better.

[severedthumbs]

It's not popular because it is really expensive.

[Titus]

That's true. Talonite is very expensive.

[Jimmy_Dean]

how can it be so "soft" and be highly wear resistant at the same time
sorry if it sounds silly, like I said, I know nothing about 6K.

[Titus]

Probably because of the cobalt and carbon.

[severedthumbs]

basically take all you know about blade steels and throw it out the window, this stuff is an entirely different animal.

[dsvirsky]

I'm saving up to buy a Mayo TnT in a not so near future(that's a lot of money for something I'll never use....)

I know this can be a hard step to take, but if you're going to buy a TNT, use it. IMHO, there's little point to working hard and saving money for something unless you're going to get the full pleasure out of owning it and (for me) the biggest pleasure in owning a knife like this comes from using it. I own two TNT's, a large 6K wharncliffe that I bought from Tom at Blade 2002 and a small Timascus and Talonite that I waited almost 2 1/2 years for.

Back on topic: Talonite and Stellite 6K get their wear resistance from very hard carbides, but those hard carbides sit in a relatively soft matrix (high 40's RC, IIRC). Because of this, the edge needs to be left a little thicker than with steel, so it won't get quite as sharp and it won't hold a shaving edge for very long. However, it will stay working sharp and continue to cut well, long after it no longer feels sharp to the touch. From what I've read, this is also due, in part, to the greater lubricity of these alloys, compared to steel.


edited to add: There's a wealth of information about Talonite and Stellite available in the archives at both BFC and KFC.