I ordered one too. Kinda cute in a homely sort of way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I think its a beautiful knife but I'm still on the fence here, especially with the SAR4 right around the corner... I wish they'd throw out some info on the heat treat or show some good brutal abuse pics. I'll probably get one anyway. My mail is down for the moment anyway so I'm conveniently forced to think about it.

first of all, don't swear at me

You're right that heat treatment will make a difference, but you also should remember that the knives that failed us in the field have all been 154cm. This sort of experience is not something that inspires confidence.

In respect to mercworx, very little testing has been on those knives to determine whether or not they can put their money where their mouth is. To me, they seem to be a more tastefully designed version of Dark Ops Knives, minus the terrible advertising. Just because they're expensive, doesn't mean they're worth the money.

My main argument with 154cm in SR knives is that I believe that the switch to stainless is unnecessary and sacrifices too much. I personally believe the difference between coated and uncoated blades in terms of efficiency is negligible, so there is little need for a satin-finished steel. Furthermore, seeing as the banner of SR's website reads "Ambassadors of American spirit and toughness", I don't think they should drop an extremely tough AND edge-holding steel from production in favor of a steel thats only real advantage is its stainlessness.

If they can prove that a H. Carry is just as tough as the nearly identical HRLM, I'll be happy to accept it. Until then, I will continue to view 154cm as a folder steel, not suited for hard use.

Thats basically how I feel about it, but I'll probably get one anyway. It will be at least as nice as all the other fixed blades out there in 154cm. You don't see a lot of them anymore, but maybe 10 years ago 154cm and ATS-34 were pretty popular for blades even up in the 13" range. I'm sure they've figured out how to get a little extra out of it or they wouldn't be risking their reputation.

I really do like the design. I can't wait to see a few people put some heat on it and see what they can really take.

WTF aside, I'm kind of with Sharp on this one- having seen Eric's D2 torture pics!

Aside from the fair and somewhat reasonable discussions/debate about the uses of 154CM (and aside from the comment: "the difference between coated and uncoated blades in terms of efficiency is negligible" ),.......

I have to recommend that "ALL" stop using the "WTF" (stated this once for reference) or similar terms that don't really hide use of inappropriate language.

Abbreviation or not, it is understood as inappropriate language.

I KNOW the owners of this forum and the moderators have made it clear about use of inappropriate language. Abbreviating doesn't make it acceptable. I recommend this abbreviation NOT be used and care should be given in similar uses of language.
I know this abbreviation might be common on some forums, but I don't believe it is acceptable here.

I am not trying to be a nanny here. But, I am trying to help keep things clean around here and keep everyone out of trouble. I would rather give fair warning and it come from me than from a moderator who feels obligated to give a "serious" warning and possibly take action.
And don't be mad at a moderator for doing their job! They volunteer for this, but the whole point in having moderators is to keep things clean.

The inappropriate language (even thinly veiled) is not needed and not beneficial to the threads or discussions.

Further, it is not enjoyable for anyone here to have good discussions and productive threads locked up or have people banned.
Some of you young guys around here are doing your part to make this forum a good place and an enjoyable forum. But, you still need to keep it clean. If not careful, I am quite confident certain moderators will feel obligated to take action.


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I just noticed something else for the 154CM-shy. It says on bussecollector that the original steelheart 1 was ATS-34. I would assume since it is so similar to 154cm that it would have similar response to heat treat protocol.

Good research... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.... I suspected Jerry probably had some prior familiarity with working with ATS-34 or 154CM. They were both very high (at or near the top) on the "It" steel list for a good while.

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I used *it* to distance myself from that element of Sharp's post. As Dan and Coldone have said repeatedly this is a family forum- you do have a point there, I'll bear it in mind in future! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

i would loose some confidence in a stainless scrapper but i would know it was the toughest stainless blade in existance if made by busse kin.

ahhh,what the hell do i know???

About as much as the rest of us! Good warranty IF it does break..

Thank you for your comments K/G - and you're right! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> And for everyone's clarification, Dan ASKED US to be moderators, so we try to do the job as best we can. Neither Chris nor I enjoy being "heavy-handed", but we WILL do the job Dan asked us to do! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Tom