Anza knives, how well do they hold an edge, and are they tough?

Slaytanic

Slaytanic

Joined
May 19, 2003
Messages
810
Just wondering if anyone has experience with Anza knives in the field?
Since their made from files, are they pretty durable or brittle?? prying/chopping/general utility etc...
And how does edge holding compare to D2 / A2 / ATS-34 / etc...

Thanks for any info!

Darrell..................
 
I have not used them, just wanted to note that file steel can have a very wide range of properties depending on how it is hardened. It is usually 1095, W1 or similar.

If you run this at full hard it makes an excellent light use knife, very brittle, but will take a very thin edge and hold it for a long time as long as you don't torque or impact it.

With a differential hardening, edge at ~58, back at ~45 HRC, you end up with a much tougher knife, many times over. Doesn't have near the same level of edge retention, but much more suitable for heavier work.

-Cliff
 
I have and had Anzas.

First the edge is a little thick so if you want a slicer you will need to reprofile.

Secondly it seems sturdy enough, I haven't abused them though.

I used one to cut grass sod, it dulled very quickly, I used one to cut up boxes, it dulled more quickly then I expected. That's about as sientific as I get.

I have one I won in a passaround if you would liek to tyr it:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=313034&highlight=anza+passaround

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303445&highlight=anza+passaround

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=280247&highlight=anza+passaround
 
I don't know anything at all about the Rockwell hardness of ANZA knives.

But I was going on a little camping trip and I wanted a small sheath knife that didn't cost too much that I could use as a little camp knife, mostly for cooking, slicing, the usual---and that I wouldn't care if it got too beat up. So I got an ANZA.

Sliced soft tomatoes like a razor, right out of the box. And kept slicing, even after being scraped against the rock that I was using as a cutting board.

Used it to do some light chopping and a lot of shaving for kindling.

Used it to pry some light staples out of 1/4" paneling. No problemo.

Edge holds up just fine, and not difficult to sharpen when needed.

It did develop some rust spots fairly easily though. I shoulda been a little more careful with its treatment. Rust spots did come off fairly easily, though.

I think it's a great little knife. Never did test it on a concrete block, though.
 
Thanks for the info & links, very helpful! Sounds like they're are a solid knife in the $45-60.00 range. I think I'll get one and beat on it too see how it holds up compared to my Heafner # 4, may make another nice edition in my hunting pack :D

Thanks,
Darrell.....................
 
I've used them in the past and really like them. They sharpen up nicely. I'm in the process of making some knives out of files. I've anealled 5 and will be heat treating them different ways to see what works best. I'm waiting until after the Blade show to start experimenting.
Scott
 
I recently bought my first Anza, a decision based partly on their low prices and reading reviews and Anza comments on these forums. For $90 they made a true custom knife incorporating my design ideas and material choices, and they did it in less than a week.

I haven't used it in the field and probably won't, so I don't know how well Anza knives hold up under heavy use. But I can say that it is a beautiful well-made knife. And I'd like to add that the Anza customer service is among the very best, anywhere.

With standard models starting at $18, I don't think you'll be sorry.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Does anyone have any experience with the file grooves that they leave on the knife getting gunked up or accumulating rust? Is this area of the knife hard to keep clean? Thinking of a hunting knife btw..

Burt :confused:
 
Does anyone have any experience with the file grooves that they leave on the knife getting gunked up or accumulating rust? Is this area of the knife hard to keep clean? Thinking of a hunting knife btw..
Click to expand...
I don't know, but Anza can smooth them off if you ask.

-Bob
 
Darrell,
I have the Boddington if you would like to try it. I don't think it is in the same league as your knives. But they as a good knife for the price.

Burtess,
I used the Boddington to field dress a deer this year and didn't have any trouble with build up in the file grooves. I just washed it with hot water, but I had an old tooth brush close by just in case. Then put a coating of vegetable oil on it after it dried.
Danny
 
Chicago has a legal carry limit of 2.5 inches. With a knife that small, I decided to try out a fixed blade. I called Anza, descibed my needs, and we deceided on a coustom palm knife. I got the knife a few days later and this is the perfect carry knife for Chicago. It takes a very good edge/without much effort and it's very strongly made. I don't see this knife failing. Indeed I think it could be used hard for years without a problem. I like this knife a lot. Think I'm going to order another in a week or so.BBTW................The cost for this great American made knife is $35 making it a graet buy.
 
I have almost a dozen Anza's of various sizes and shapes.

My general feeling is that you get a lot of knife for the cost. They're fairly easy to sharpen, and they hold a decent edge. I would estimate them to be a touch on the softer side (compared to the high Rc hardness on higher end models), but definitely hard enough to work with. As a completely unscientific gut guess, I'd say mid-to-upper 50's (56-58).

They're not stainless (nor are they claimed to be), so if you want a really bright shiny polished knife, an Anza isn't the right choice. However, if you don't mind a knife that looks a little rougher, darker, and well used, Anza might be the way to go. I wipe mine down about every 2-3 weeks with a Tuf-Cloth, and there's not a bit of rust on them. I only have one (older one that's seen some really heavy use) that did get a bit of real rust on it, but a little naval jelly and steel wool took it off in a hurry (even in the file grooves).

I haven't had any problems with durability or brittleness, myself. I've beat up a couple of them pretty rough, and so far no issue. They tend to be pretty thick-spined, too, which will toughen them up some. While they don't have the thinnest profile around, they generally aren't too bad. They're hollow ground in order to provide a reasonable edge, while retaining the thick spine.

tw_lg.jpg


Again my general feeling is that Anza's represent a very good value. You can find a better knife out there, and you can find a cheaper knife out there, but you'd be very hard pressed to find a better knife for cheaper. Anyone look for a fixed blade in the under $100 range would be a fool not to at least give them a look.

Oh, and Smaller ones can make great EDC's. I have an Anza TW, which is about 4" overall with a 1 5/8" blade that I wear on my belt and is part of my EDC. It's small and non-threatening size make it easy to carry and use at work (and elsewhere) without anyone raising a fuss.

I actually ordered a new TW just recently, and through a mistake on the retailer's part, I ended up "buying" an extra. Since that time, I've been thinking about what to do with it, and I've been leaning towards putting it up as a pass around here.

In fact, I might put it out there as a pass around, with an incentive for good reviews that the person who provides the best review for it gets to keep the knife.

Is that something people would be interested in?
 
We have had I think 2 maybe 3 Anza passarounds they were pretty popular. Youc ould post a new "feeler" thread in the passaround forum.
 
Thanks for the offer Brother, I found an Anza "Islander" with a 4" blade and grooved wood handles on it, looks like a combo between a spear & clip point!
Looks Awesome, can't wait :eek: ! Any chance You'd want to part with the Boddington??
Let me know what ya think!
Thanks again!
Darrell................ darsoe@visi.com



Darrell,
I have the Boddington if you would like to try it. I don't think it is in the same league as your knives. But they as a good knife for the price.

Burtess,
I used the Boddington to field dress a deer this year and didn't have any trouble with build up in the file grooves. I just washed it with hot water, but I had an old tooth brush close by just in case. Then put a coating of vegetable oil on it after it dried.
Danny
Click to expand...




:D Keep supporting Brutal Music!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top