M390 in hard use

[Skidoosh]

OP here- I'm looking at a 4. What I'm confused by is the descriptions of M390 as lower toughness but built in a knife designed for higher toughness. I don't usually baton but with a fixed blade I'm looking at more torque and who knows what else will get thrown at it. Hard use is notoriously tough to define. Toughness is a secondary issue for me, sharpness and geometry along with ergos are primary. I am concerned about chippiness and with that goes potential fractures. Sure I could go with 3V but I want to see how far M390 can be pushed and I have not seen very much data out there about it. I think its a great all around steel that I like in many ways but I still have lingering questions on toughness.

Dead Box Hero-I'd love to see some testing on M390 and pushing it to the limits.

 

[DeadboxHero]

Well,t technically the strengths that M390 offers aren't really in the super durablity zone between different steels. It offers more edge cutting Retention than the steels that offer more durablity. It's always a grand trade off. Nothing is invincible, everthing blunts, rolls, dulls and chips if your really going to blast it just at varying amounts.

Just keep your expectations reasonable, everthing has it's limits. You can always Customize the edge Geometry to suit your needs.

I cater my work to the cutting side of things and less on the raw durability side. A thicker blade will be more durable, if it chips just thicken the edge. If it doesn't cut as good as you like with the thick edge than drop the angle until you find the sweet spot. A better knife user can handle thinner Geometry.

I'm one of the biggest geeks here on knives but listen man, if you like the knife just buy and use it, don't overthink it too much unless your ready to go custom and really get down to the details.

OP here- I'm looking at a 4. What I'm confused by is the descriptions of M390 as lower toughness but built in a knife designed for higher toughness. I don't usually baton but with a fixed blade I'm looking at more torque and who knows what else will get thrown at it. Hard use is notoriously tough to define. Toughness is a secondary issue for me, sharpness and geometry along with ergos are primary. I am concerned about chippiness and with that goes potential fractures. Sure I could go with 3V but I want to see how far M390 can be pushed and I have not seen very much data out there about it. I think its a great all around steel that I like in many ways but I still have lingering questions on toughness.

Dead Box Hero-I'd love to see some testing on M390 and pushing it to the limits.

 

[Black Oak Bladeworks]

Well,t technically the strengths that M390 offers aren't really in the super durablity zone between different steels. It offers more edge cutting Retention than the steels that offer more durability. It's always a grand trade off. Nothing is invincible, everthing blunts, rolls, dulls and chips if your really going to blast it just at varying amounts.

I agree with this. I have never had a steel that hasn't chipped or got dull. I am sure M390 will be fine for you so long as you dont use it for things knives shouldn't be used for anyway. If you like the knife I say buy it! If your worried buy a back up. Or two.

 

[Eagle Scout]

Hard use is notoriously tough to define. Toughness is a secondary issue for me, sharpness and geometry along with ergos are primary.

Good point.

IMO "hard use" for a G4/3 camp task knife means it can be used hard in the field and hold a working edge. "Hard use" for a camp/trail chopper means it can withstand the abuse of hard impact use w/o destroying the edge.

 

[marrenmiller]

OP here- I'm looking at a 4. What I'm confused by is the descriptions of M390 as lower toughness but built in a knife designed for higher toughness.

Marketing. People buy M390, so it gets put in a lot of knives.

Most high end "hard use knives" out there would be better suited with CPM-154, AEB-L, or something else with lower carbide volume, I think. That being said, I bet that the Bradford 4 will be fine for you if you're not doing anything particularly damaging to the edge.

 

[NicoColt1911]

M390 is suitable for hard use. Take a look at TRC Knives if you want to know what it can do as a fixed blade when properly hardened. Even the TRC Splinter 120 ("This is freedom") is fine for batoning even though these are hunting knives with rather thin (3,4mm) blades. The thin tip could be a problem when using it as a crowbar though. If you want to use your knife as such take one of the TRC outdoor and survival knives like the K1s / K1 or the Apocalypse and you will be able to pry and chop through entire forests before you run into any problems.

 

[DeadboxHero]

M390 is suitable for hard use. Take a look at TRC Knives if you want to know what it can do as a fixed blade when properly hardened. Even the TRC Splinter 120 ("This is freedom") is fine for batoning even though these are hunting knives with rather thin (3,4mm) blades. The thin tip could be a problem when using it as a crowbar though. If you want to use your knife as such take one of the TRC outdoor and survival knives like the K1s / K1 or the Apocalypse and you will be able to pry and chop through entire forests before you run into any problems.

Geometry, spine being thin isn't the full story.