DPX HEFT? Anyone know how it performs? Any guesses to the Sleipner steel?

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Beckerhead83

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Nov 1, 2011
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I'm thinking about purchasing a Dpx Heft but don't want to throw 175 bucks when i know nothing about the steel. From my understanding Esse owns Dpx (correct me if i'm wrong), so i would defiantly trust they will make get the best quality out of this steel as possible. I was wondering if anyone has any user experience with this specific knife or steel. thanks
 
ESEE and DPX went their own ways a while ago, ESEE never owned them they just collaborated together on the HEST fixed blade design, DPX is owned and run by Robert Young Pelton and his knives are made by Lionsteel in Italy, though I'm not sure if they're the ones making the HEFT or not.

According to the DPX Gear website the HEFT steel is "Sleipner Steel > 60 HRC" that seems very hard to me for a field knife, seems like it would be difficult to sharpen in the field, though I'm not totally familier with this particular type so you can take my comments on it with a grain of salt.
 
There was quite a thread I startred about this knife a couple weeks ago. The knife says it's German D2 tool steel mated to a U.S. made titanium alloy frame with American G-10 scales assembled by LionSTEEL in Northern Italy. I have had excellent results with the steel so far. No chipping, rolling or denting. I do need to re-sharpen it though.

I think that the knife is great after only having it for a few weeks. One thing I and others have noticed about the knife is that if you get "lock rock" you will need to take the knife apart (it's easy) and bend the lock bar over more to the right. This has resulted in my DPx H.E.S.T. in being most likely the most bombproof frame locking folder I have ever owned.

I recommend it. I am partial to axis locks and fixed blades, because of their strength, but this knife is hovering around the top of the framelock pack in terms of lock-up so far.
 
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The thread was actually referencing the HEFT which is the new soon-to-be-released fixed blade by DPX--not the HEST folder. :)
 
Lionsteel uses D2 in their aluminum SR-1's, and Sleipner in their Titanium models. It's a finer-grained, better-performing D2 with higher final hardness.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
The thread was actually referencing the HEFT which is the new soon-to-be-released fixed blade by DPX--not the HEST folder. :)
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Yeah, it sure is. Sory O.P. I was absolutely no use to you. Thanks FortyTwo I need glasses. Lol!
 
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According to the knifeworks, the alloy is D2
http://www.knifeworks.com/dpxhostileenvironmentsurvival20.aspx

There have been a number of threads about the HEST folder. A bit of searching with the search function will turn them up.

The HEST 1 folder had a lot of bugs.
The HEST 2, which is what is now available has had both positive and negative comments.
 
The month or so of use I got out of my Sleipner in a SR-1 was quite impressive! It held a really good edge, didn't chip or roll with light contact to metal or other hard objects and it was actually easy to sharpen!

I just had to keep a light coating of oil on it or kept it dry and clean and it didn't rust out on me.

If you are worried about sharpening in the field I would highly recommend you try using microbevels, they are super easy to maintain with a pocket ceramic rod and the edge will last a lot longer under harder use.
 
So currently, there's the HEST folder, the HEST II fixed blade, and then the HEFT fixed blade. Three different knives. The HEFT is the biggest of the three.
 
Sliepner is the best cutting steel we have found. The HEFT is designed for military and expedition applications where edge retention is critical. You can find a number of videos of Sliepner blades used to cut. The DPx HEFT 4" will also be available in ELMAX for direct sales to the military.

http://www.bucanada.ca/sleipner_c.htm
 
RYP said:
Sliepner is the best cutting steel we have found. The HEFT is designed for military and expedition applications where edge retention is critical. You can find a number of videos of Sliepner blades used to cut. The DPx HEFT 4" will also be available in ELMAX for direct sales to the military.

http://www.bucanada.ca/sleipner_c.htm
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What do you mean by "best cutting steel"?
 
Supposedly it's really good stuff. It's also trendy, and Lionsteel has access to it and experience working in it. I just like the name because I love Norse mythology. :D
 
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