New Herbst ATS-55 owner - Many questions...

[jdebler]

Hello!



I normally carry a CKRT carbon fiber pocket knife, but I just received a Herbst ATS-55 for being the best man in a wedding. What a wonderful way to say thanks! I love this knife and I would like to learn more about it but it appears there is much to know.



I know my knife was purchased at SierraTradingPost, and the handles are aluminum with SEKI-CITY JAPAN on the clip side of the blade. The box has a sticker on it that says C53P.



I don't know much about knives, so please bear with me. My questions are as follows:



Who is Peter Herbst? I know he is a German knifemaker, but doing a search on him gets me not very far. Is there a bio about him out there somewhere?



How many total different versions of this knife were made? Which one do I have? Which one is better?



Is there any adjustment to it? I would like to be able to flick my wrist and have it open fully, but it is too tight to do that and I am not very good at flicking it open with my thumb. On the other hand, I do not want it so loose it opens by accident and slice one of my digits off.



This knife is ridiculously sharp. How can I maintain that edge? If I ever need to sharpen it, what do I do? I was told that there is a possibility that I can send it to Spyderco and they will sharpen it for free. Is this true or too good to be?



Is there anything else I should know about this knife?



Thank you very much for any information that anyone can give me!



Jason Debler

[vampyrewolf]

according to the history given, the c53 was not mad until 98... however, page 66 of the 97 book has the titanium.

*97 and 98 had the titanium version(440c blade).
*I don't have the 99 book, and it's not in the 00 book.
*2001, user book, C53, almite handles(aluminium with a coating), ats-55.
*2002, user book, c53 vg-10, otherwise the same
*2003, it's not in the books, either dealer or user.

As to adjustment, the alum version has screws. I'm going to assume the pivot is a d-pin, which has tension adjustment provided by a phillips screw under the clip. Ypu have 3 screws on the handle itself, which will provide snap and the seating of the lock to a point.

For edge maintanence, you can't do any better than the spyderco 204 sharpmaker for simplicity. If you know freehand, pick up a 303mf stone for touchups on the go.

Spyderco will sharpen any of their knives, just ship with a check/mo for 10usd and a note with what you want done.

Mei Fides, Mei Victus <a href=http://www.members.shaw.ca/pjharyett>My Homepage </a>

[dialex]

If I remember well, the first batch was made in Solingen, Germany. They had indeed titanium handles. Unfortunately the manufacturing quality wasn't that great <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>

[vampyrewolf]

alex&gt; yes the titanium version is made in solingen, germany. have my 2nds plain edge in my pocket right now.

tweaked lock, lubed last night, put a edge I like on it(3 stage edge: 1200 sandpaper and strop(following the bevel put on by factory), 30deg to the white flats on 204, 40deg doublegrind on white corners of 204... hard to believe it only cost me about 65-70cdn

Mei Fides, Mei Victus <a href=http://www.members.shaw.ca/pjharyett>My Homepage </a>

[Sword and Shield]

Howdy Jdebler! Welcome to <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>Land! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

The <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>204 Sharpmaker is excellent for maintaining that razor-fine edge on about anything. I can get chisels to shave on it.

The Man's Prayer- I am a man. But I can change. If I have to. I guess...

[druid]

And again broken don't tweak it, I just oil it Powell [the skateboard company] speed cream is supposed to be the best, although I haven't got my hands on it. Then I shouldn't loosen up and you will have the peace of mind of knowing your pins won't work loose on you.



Flaking is a trick I think the fun until you try to stab through a heavy rubberized trash can and almost sever a major tendon in your thumb, finally after about four years I don't think I can feel that spot anymore. Plus opening with your thumb is less wasted motion a logic to concentrate on grip and the task at hand sure a foot doesn't slip.

[druid]

And again broken don't tweak it, I just oil it Powell [the skateboard company] speed cream is supposed to be the best, although I haven't got my hands on it. Then I shouldn't loosen up and you will have the peace of mind of knowing your pins won't work loose on you.



Flaking is a trick I think the fun until you try to stab through a heavy rubberized trash can and almost sever a major tendon in your thumb, finally after about four years I don't think I can feel that spot anymore. Plus opening with your thumb is less wasted motion a logic to concentrate on grip and the task at hand sure a foot doesn't slip.

[Alan2112]

Welcome aboard, jdebler! RKBA!