52100 Paramilitary II for good measure

Nemo

Nemo

Joined
Oct 16, 1998
Messages
1,697
Hello,

I had post a link to my review there:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/52100-paramilitary-ii-ed-fowlers-legacy-in-a-folder.1528523/

But I have not seen a lot of activities on the reviews forum.
So I re-post that here.

Since I have been able to find the HRC was at 62, I have decided to thin the edge once more...
And update the review with new pics...
20171025_154513-01410924470.jpeg


20171025_142635-011833152096.jpeg
 
Carbon steel with a rich patina will absorb oil and form a sheen like well seasoned cast iron. The richer the patina the greater the protection. My experience with a well cared for SRK CarbonV (1095CV iirc) inspired me to pickup a PM2 in 52100. Although, I could comprehend the clever marriage of a high carbon steel with high carbon (CF) scales, it just didn't look right to me. The PM2 in 52100 with a rich patina lends itself so well to the look of a distressed but trusted companion. Paired with some OD Micarta scales and you have the makings of an heirloom.

37914941196_8e9172ddbb_k.jpg
 
I researched the hardness on the early 52100 Mule Team discussions from 2010-2011 which were also Rc62.

Confirmation of the hardness is on the Knife Center description for that knife.
"Oil quenched and drawn to 62HRC, it is a difficult steel to heat treat. A very fine molecular structure permits very sharp edges, even at thin angles."

Regards,
FK
 
FK said:
I researched the hardness on the early 52100 Mule Team discussions from 2010-2011 which were also Rc62.

Confirmation of the hardness is on the Knife Center description for that knife.
"Oil quenched and drawn to 62HRC, it is a difficult steel to heat treat. A very fine molecular structure permits very sharp edges, even at thin angles."

Regards,
FK
Click to expand...

That's interesting. I bought one of those when they were new and never got or found an answer to that question. I can tell you from having drilled out the holes in the tang that those knives were very hard. I don't know whether the tangs are harder or softer than the blades, but I would not have been surprised by a number as high as Rc 64.
 
I would guarantee the knives are batch hardened in computer controlled furnaces.
Equipment today makes heat treatment very predictable and consistent.

The small craftsman with tiny firebrick furnaces and analog readout of temperature is where the gross variables are rather common.

Complex alloys require close TTT (time, temperature, transformation) curves for the proper metallurgy results.

Regards,
FK
 
FK said:
I researched the hardness on the early 52100 Mule Team discussions from 2010-2011 which were also Rc62.

Confirmation of the hardness is on the Knife Center description for that knife.
"Oil quenched and drawn to 62HRC, it is a difficult steel to heat treat. A very fine molecular structure permits very sharp edges, even at thin angles."

Regards,
FK
Click to expand...

I've never had a 52100 Mule and I haven't really paid too much attention to them to be honest, but I take it there were never any chipping issues with those folks who used them, correct?
 
on_the_edge said:
I've never had a 52100 Mule and I haven't really paid too much attention to them to be honest, but I take it there were never any chipping issues with those folks who used them, correct?
Click to expand...

Not with mine. But I don't remember seeing much discussion about those in use. It was literally the first Mule project in this series and I don't think the sort of experimentation and reporting that has become common was a 'thing' back then.
 
on_the_edge said:
I've never had a 52100 Mule and I haven't really paid too much attention to them to be honest, but I take it there were never any chipping issues with those folks who used them, correct?
Click to expand...

I have a lot of 52100 blades that are softer than 62 and I have yet to see one chip.
 
I really like my PM2 with 52100 steel.

I dropped mine at work with the blade open onto concrete. It blunted part of the edge, but no chipping or any other damage. I spent all of 10 minutes with it on my sharp maker when I got home and complete restored the edge. Actually I would say it turned out sharper than the factory edge, which was very sharp. It has held that level of sharpness after two weeks of light to medium use.

I am a fan of the 52100 steel.
 
I got the Military in 52100 (actually 2 of 'em) and liked the steel so much I picked up the Para. Really nice steel. Very easy to sharpen and easily the best at stropping for edge maintenance. I have really developed a liking for the tool steels/carbon steels that Spyderco has been offering - M-4, Super Blue, Hap 40, but I think the 52100 is my favorite. I would love to see some more models with this blade steel. This thread is about the 52100 Para - great knife in a great steel - probably the most underrated para sprint run. Just glad I got one.
 
For me, the 52100, with its penchant for patina, called for something special... something that would work, aesthetically, with it as it matured. Being fond of bone covers on traditionals, it wasn't a difficult choice.
(If it had been possible to grab a set of brass or copper scales, at that time, they would have been a tempting option, as well; so the scales could have developed their own patina over time. I know they're back - I've got a set still in its packaging, waiting for me to decide what they're going on)
 
I think folks get nervous about things like patina. Patina tends to turn into rust that turns into pitting that turns into an ugly, perhaps non-functioning knife that has quickly outlived its usefulness. :rolleyes: Except...in my experience, that usually happens only when there is utter neglect (abuse?) of the knife in question.

At least Nemo is not getting rid of the 52100 PM2 just because it is not maintenance-free. :thumbsup:
 
I'll never understand why someone would opt for a rust-prone steel over a nice stainless like S90V , S110V , M390 or even S30V.

I'm not criticizing. I just strongly prefer stainless. At least for my needs and environment. But its nice that Spyderco does so many great steels (both stainless and carbon) to appeal to such a broad customer base. There's something for everyone.
 
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