Myerchin Knives

I was wondering what everyone thinks about a stainless steel blade for a knife...

I know that high carbon steel is easiest to sharpen, but is stainless worthwhile at all?


When it comes to a rigging knife its almost absolutely neccessary to have stainless steel (getting soaked in salt water and all). I have a Myerchin off shore folder that I carried when I was in the CG, and I love it...its the perfect rigging knife, it is extremely sharp, has very sharp serrations and has a folding marlin spike.



I was thinking about getting a plain edge fixed blade just to have as a camp knife or whatever. They have nice heavy full tang blades, and are made of 440C stainless.


My question is whether or not the stainless blade would dull down quickly from camp use, and would it be a bitch to sharpen back up??

I do know that they come from the factory with a nice sharp blade...Let me know what you all think!!

Edit: I do realize that 440C stainless has a fairly high carbon content, but still wondering about 440C vs something like CPM of 1095

I like stainless for some knives, (mainly pocket knives) but it does make sense in a fixed blade for some situations. I can see around water like you already mentioned or in a long term outdoor situation such as camping or an extended hunting trip. Some place where you may not be able to care for your knife properly and keep the rust from it. Which would be important if you were going to be cutting food with it.

Quality stainless will usually take a little more effort to sharpen then carbon, but the trade off is that it can generally maintain that edge longer.
Here is a link to a steel guide for you to check out if you want to compare carbon levels.
http://www.agrussell.com/Steel_Guide/a/73/

440C can be a good steel when heat treatd properly. I would much rather have a ATS-34 though

1095 IMO is a good all around carbon. Kabar uses it in their Marine fighting knife. Tops knives also use it as well as Ontario and Rat knives. One down side is a lot of knives made with 1095 is that they are parkized to prevent them from rusting. Parkerizing is not really a good idea if the knife will be used for food prep.


I have looked at that fixed blade Myerchin a few times and have thought about buying it. I'm a big fan of sheepsfoot and warncliffe style blades and that knife is sort of a mix of both. That would make a good camp IMO. Small enough for food prep and big enough to prep kindling for a fire.

AG russel won an award a whileback for their sea knife http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-seamaster/p/AGSAhhh118TI/

440c has always been a bitch for me to get an edge on. When I was younger and could only get ahold of knives made in that steel they got dull fairly fast and could never get them super sharp again. Now I could probably fair better at it but it is a bitch.

...I figured I'd post this here instead of starting a hold new thread, since we are mainly on the topic of SS vs CS...

I've always been some what partial to Gerber knives...don't know what, I just like them...

What do you guys think about the Freeman Hunter? It comes in 2 different styles. 1 is a wood handle and just high carbon stainless blade (i believe it is 440A).



But they also make one with a stag handle (which I'm not crazy about) and an S30V blade...pretty decent knife, but I guess with a $90 price tag there are better options for the money...

Out of the two Gerbers pictures I would opt for the stag version just because I like S30V. I'm not really a stag type of guy though as it tends to dry out and crack over time.

Once you get around $100 for a knife you have a lot of options available to you. Take a look at Entrek knives if you have not already. They are all USA made and use 440C I believe. Some of their smaller knives are pretty nice. If I remember correctly I always liked the Javelina.

A nice set up I wouldn't mind having for Maine is this.

They are available in both carbon and stainless and run anywhere from $100-$140.

[img][/img]

The old lady got me the myerchin fixed blade for my birthday!

Seems like a pretty sweet knife....

Pics to follow...

Looks nice! It's larger then I thought it would be. Is that a Marlin spike on the side of the sheath?

The Patriot wrote:

Looks nice! It's larger then I thought it would be. Is that a Marlin spike on the side of the sheath?

Yea its a pretty serious marlin spike haha I think I might try to find a good size fire steel to stick in its place...I don't really forsee myself using a 7 inch long marlin spike any time soon.

Bosun wrote:

The Patriot wrote:

Looks nice! It's larger then I thought it would be. Is that a Marlin spike on the side of the sheath?

Yea its a pretty serious marlin spike haha I think I might try to find a good size fire steel to stick in its place...I don't really forsee myself using a 7 inch long marlin spike any time soon.

I have always wondered about the usefullness of a smaller Marlin spike for use on para-cord. Since most everyone who hikes, hunts, or is into Bushcraft type hobbies carries it.