navman
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2013
- Messages
- 2,585
Okay, so I have carried Emerson knives in some tough areas, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kashmir and on many boat and land evolutions as a Riverine.
Today, one of the EOD guys I work with handed me a 2004 Super Commander that he had been using hard and putting away wet for a decade. The edge was blunt as a butter knife as he had been using it to open sand bags, as well as plenty of other mundane chores. I want to emphasize there was not chipping of the edge, just really, really dull. He wanted it re-sharpened. I also took the chance to look at an un-biased users knife on the inside.
now what amazes me is the Nylatron washers. After over a decade of hard use, the washers were undamaged. There was sand and grit inside the knife, but none embedded in the washers. No significant wear and the knife still centers easily, opens and closes smoothly. It should also be noted that he has carried this knife clipped to his rig during waterborne jumps in salt water environments.
I have been debating what to use on some folder builds for hard use, PB or Nylatron. I have enough PB washers to do 4 knives, but can not find the needed thickness anywhere. After this I went ahead and ordered a batch of Nylatron washers from Mcmasterr Carr.
Ernie, I know we talked in the past about knife design and such. Well done once again on the material selection! The definition of Hard use!
Today, one of the EOD guys I work with handed me a 2004 Super Commander that he had been using hard and putting away wet for a decade. The edge was blunt as a butter knife as he had been using it to open sand bags, as well as plenty of other mundane chores. I want to emphasize there was not chipping of the edge, just really, really dull. He wanted it re-sharpened. I also took the chance to look at an un-biased users knife on the inside.
now what amazes me is the Nylatron washers. After over a decade of hard use, the washers were undamaged. There was sand and grit inside the knife, but none embedded in the washers. No significant wear and the knife still centers easily, opens and closes smoothly. It should also be noted that he has carried this knife clipped to his rig during waterborne jumps in salt water environments.
I have been debating what to use on some folder builds for hard use, PB or Nylatron. I have enough PB washers to do 4 knives, but can not find the needed thickness anywhere. After this I went ahead and ordered a batch of Nylatron washers from Mcmasterr Carr.
Ernie, I know we talked in the past about knife design and such. Well done once again on the material selection! The definition of Hard use!
I use it on all sorts of things with great results, almost magical at times.
