Has Spyderco's Maxamet improved over the years?

[Hashishiin]

It seems there are less complaints over blade breakage in these years than in years prior, I see a lot from, say, 2019. I have not followed Spyderco that long, would anyone say that they've nailed down the process of treating it better than they have before? I have a PM2, specifically, so I know that the liners don't allow for as much flex, and the blade is thin, particularly at the tip. Been curious about it, but I am a bit hesitant to use it in the same way I'd use my Cruwear (which is probably smart anyways!) but, what say you?

 

[GatorFlash1]

Hi Hash - I'm wondering why you want Maxamet steel? It iseems terribly expensive. What do you use it for? Just curious.

 

[yablanowitz]

It is possible that Spyderco has changed their heat-treat for Maxamet. It is also possible, but perhaps less likely, that people have learned that Maxamet *knife blades* do not make good *crowbars*. Kind of expensive for single-use tools.

I have Maxamet Mules, a couple of Manix2 LWs, a couple of N5s and a PM2. All but the Mules are factory seconds. I've used them all, none too gently, without breakage. BUT I learned the difference between kinds of tools and their proper uses a long, long time ago.

 

[ace]

Hi Hash - I'm wondering why you want Maxamet steel? It iseems terribly expensive. What do you use it for? Just curious.

If you cut a lot of abrasive material, such as cardboard, carpet, rope, etc Maxamet will stay sharp longer than any other steel used in production knives. It has limitations as any other steel of course, but as long as you know what they are you should be fine.

 

[Hashishiin]

Hi Hash - I'm wondering why you want Maxamet steel? It iseems terribly expensive. What do you use it for? Just curious.

Oh, well you see I already have it! If I didn't, I probably would stick to 10V, Rex 45, or M4, all steels with great edge retention, but won't for sure snap if I shove the knife in my wall out of the blue. I bought it during a bit of a compulsive time, a "gotta catch 'em all" period for PM2s. Not that I do not still love the PM2, because I do, but I was just really on a compression lock kick and was just learning about steels. But I have a Shaman, Yojumbo, Police 4, and some definitely have aspects better than the PM2.

My use-case for Maxamet would be for straight up-and-down cutting, daily tasks. Something beautiful that I could use on non-dirty daily tasks, for practically ever. - you see, I have a set of beautifully carved, wooden scales coming in and I was CONSIDERING Maxamet to be the steel that I put in the special scales. It would be used for only light cutting tasks. I have the stones needed to maintain it, I think, but it still may not be worth it.

Thank you for the videos!

It is possible that Spyderco has changed their heat-treat for Maxamet. It is also possible, but perhaps less likely, that people have learned that Maxamet *knife blades* do not make good *crowbars*. Kind of expensive for single-use tools.

I have Maxamet Mules, a couple of Manix2 LWs, a couple of N5s and a PM2. All but the Mules are factory seconds. I've used them all, none too gently, without breakage. BUT I learned the difference between kinds of tools and their proper uses a long, long time ago.

I'd hope so! I don't even pry with Cruwear. Pocket prybar, ten dollars. If not, there's a SAK in my pocket. Never the PM2, haha!