Nice pics. But I hate you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> they make me miss the coast.

I would bet the grunt has better edge retention than any of my scrapyard blades. both are nice knives.

AUS8 better edge retention than SR77? Not in my experience. Maybe Pitman feels differently.

AUS8 takes a keen edge and is easy to sharpen though. I like it just fine in a pocket knife.

I used to live in Vancouver as well and Pitmans photos make me homesick especially because springtime in Saskatchewan looks like this pic I took yesterday.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lance.G.Davis/PAMuseumPhotosJune507/photo#5185489183174187570

I like the Grunt. Aus8 is an excellent steel that has some really good qualities like taking a great polish and wicked edge. There are some really nice Hattori knives that use Aus8 because they take such a beautiful polish. I am not sure about the new grunt steel but the Chinese steel the Byrds use is excellent and very close to ATS-34.

My Grunt arrived today. The box that the knife came in was cheesy and way over sized -- box dimensions are about 14-1/2 X 3-1/2 X 2-1/4 inches, while the knife (in the sheath / largest dimensions) is about 11-3/4 X 2-3/8 X 1-1/4. In terms of volume, the box is more than 3 times the size of the knife! The care instructions on the box are:

"Your edge...keep it sharp by stropping it backwards on cardboard or leather. Restore dull or nicked edge same way with wet-or-dry paper, finish on cardboard. This works!"

The nylon pocket sheath is cheap, but the knife itself feels quite robust. The blade is a solid 3/16 inch thick, 5 1/2 long, convex edge, and the handle feels good. I know that packaging isn't really important, but the picture of the knife is about 1 1/2 inches longer than the actual knife -- it gives it that "flea market/mall ninja" look. The knife appears to be much better quality than the box would lead you to believe.

Once again, it's Chinese manufactured, so a lot of folks won't ever consider it. Also, I certainly don't believe it's as good as my Mutts, but it feels much better made than a typical Chinese knife, and without having actually done anything with it, the 10Cr17 Grunt seems a solid value for the very low-price constrained.

Mine came in the other day too. I agree about the gigantic, cheesy box. My first thought when i saw that box was "holy cow, this thing must be huge!" The handle is a little too big and bulky for my hands... I much prefer the DMDC handle. But for twenty bucks I can't really complain!

does this method really work?what is wet dry paper?

go to an auto-parts store and ask for "sand paper" and all will be revealed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

p.s. don't know about the cardboard bit.

oh thanks i will

Of course, neither did I; I just think that Blackjack does themselves a disservice with that packaging. We bought the knife due to word-of-mouth recommendations, but if you were to see that box in a store or at a swap meet, would that packaging attract you or would it scream "Cheap POS"? I wouldn't take a second look if all I knew about the knife is the box -- the box size and 115% (or thereabouts) picture of the knife make it look ridiculous. I think a box that's about the right size with a 100% scaled picture would be more effective.