Thread: JHarriss Knives

As an example if I wanted to get a bar of O1 carbon tool steel, about 4 mm thick, 40 mm wide then it comes in 500 mm lengths, then I would have enough steel to do two knives and I would probably get enough change from $40 to buy me a cup of coffee...if I wanted in get the same piece in damasteel which is high quality Damascus steel made with top notch powder stainless steels in Sweden then I would be looking at coughing up around $750...

I am sure there are cheaper options, a good blacksmith could make you some, but there is also junk out there. It does look good, some of it performs well, but modern day steel has known properties and tolerances, as well as well understood heat treating science to get the best qualities from your steel.

As a side note, if someone wants a good O1 tool steel knife I am happy to make them one, drop me a line.

Shelley

Hattori makes high end damascus hunting knives with Cowry X as the core, and VG10 as the damascus layers. VG10 is a high end true stainless steel, Cowry X is an ultra high end stain resistant steel. Small knives (100mm blade, 200mm overall, simple profile) are around $600 USD, large knives (130mm blade, 260mm overall, complex profile) goes up to $3,500 USD. see Hattori Hana



Rockstead makes ATS 34 (similar to VG10) cladding with ZDP-189 core (similar to Cowry X), but no damascus look. they are around $3,200 to $3,600 USD. See Rockstead Un



These are as high end as they come.

However, you can get damascus Hitachi White Steel (tough, high purity carbon steel, non-stainless) knives for as low as $150 USD. Still very high quality steel, but much lower price.



Only issue is that they are not made in New Zealand.

Originally Posted by Ultimitsu

Hattori makes high end damascus hunting knives with Cowry X as the core, and VG10 as the damascus layers. VG10 is a high end true stainless steel, Cowry X is an ultra high end stain resistant steel. Small knives (100mm blade, 200mm overall, simple profile) are around $600 USD, large knives (130mm blade, 260mm overall, complex profile) goes up to $3,500 USD. see Hattori Hana

Attachment 59761

Rockstead makes ATS 34 (similar to VG10) cladding with ZDP-189 core (similar to Cowry X), but no damascus look. they are around $3,200 to $3,600 USD. See Rockstead Un

Attachment 59760

These are as high end as they come.

However, you can get damascus Hitachi White Steel (tough, high purity carbon steel, non-stainless) knives for as low as $150 USD. Still very high quality steel, but much lower price.

Attachment 59762

Only issue is that they are not made in New Zealand.

How many of those high end knives have you tested? In my limited experience, expensive does not mean high end

Originally Posted by MSL

How many of those high end knives have you tested? In my limited experience, expensive does not mean high end

I am a nobody, even if I did test a 3000 USD Hattori and Rockstead, you still should not just trust my subjective opinion if you were interested in these knives. You should read more reputable reviews yourself.

Expensive does not mean high end, but high end means high end.

Hattori is one of the most famous japanese smith currently still alive. Check out the demand for his KD series kitchen knives. CowryX is one of the highest grade knife steel in the moment, 3% carbon, 66~68 HRC. I have used a low end Hattori VG10 kitchen knife, it has extremely good edge and very high standard fit and finish.

Rockstead is THE most famous japanese hunting knife brand right now, all they do is hunting knives. there are youtube videos low end rockstead folder knife cutting through a phone book, and cutting thick rope 1000 times and still able to slice paper.

If money was no object for me, I would buy a Hana and Un before buying a Purdey

Well as we see Mandy is understandably otherwise disposed.

So I checked Shelley and have this little ripper heading my way, courtesy of my wife for my BDay.



Still has some finishing to be done, wasn't what I was looking for but I see some options/gap that can be filled...lol

PM Shelley if you're looking, she has sent me plenty of photos and has some nice knives ready or nearing completion.

I also have an ol' mate in Tauranga who has made me a knife or 2 that has some available, he's going to send me some photos..

Here are some he's made, I own Photo 1 the bottom 3 in Photo 2...lol yes I'm a bit of a magpie.




Love this country and all the little crafts people we have tucked away...

Originally Posted by Double Shot

Well as we see Mandy is understandably otherwise disposed.

So I checked Shelley and have this little ripper heading my way, courtesy of my wife for my BDay.

Attachment 59823

I was looking at grabbing that knife off Shelley, ended up with its brother instead. Shelley showed me a small knife that was still 'under construction' so that came along too, once it was finished, for my young boy to earn at Christmas time.
I'm very happy with both knifes, Mine just needs a little work to the handle to get a better fit to my hand

Damn this thread.... I thought I had some nice knives now I'm embarrassed to show them! Really don't need anymore but..... But...

Originally Posted by 223nut

Damn this thread.... I thought I had some nice knives now I'm embarrassed to show them! Really don't need anymore but..... But...

You can never have too many knives, rifles, fishing rods... A generalisation I know but my wife has more shoe's and handbags than I can point a stick at...I always find it a good point for comparison, she can't argue...lol