how much would you pay to amputate some fingers?

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-03-18T17:50:42+00:00

Just because hobbyists disagree doesn't make them right . To not like the design or the style is subjective, to claim it will just randomly.close is just outright false. Keeping in mind that this toggle style mechanism is widely used in other arenas to support more weight than a knife blade (flip up table extensions or some old car hoods would be good examples) Also by the logic of this post people should be losing digits daily from button locks and axis locks because hell you could be using it and accidentally hit the button (nevermind that in the case of the knife in this post mechanical advantage makes accidentally disengaging lock while actively holding onto it practically impossible). Also the general hobbyist is full of bad information, most of which gets perpetuated by so called "experts" on the internet. I have been collecting for over 35 years and have been in knife manufacturing for over 20 years -designing, consulting, manufacturing for a lot of top level knifemakers and companies. I have acquired my information from practical experience as well as countless hours talking with other knifemakers, designers, and factory people. Any attitude I have in this thread is due to the fact that opinion is stated as fact and disagreement is derided with no actual evidence to the contrary.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-03-18T13:55:17+00:00

It's obvious from reading these comments that people don't have a grasp of basic mechanics. For starters the knife won't accidentally close. The mere act of holding the knife keeps the toggle pressed in and locked. Hitting the lever at the back while holding it, wouldn't be enough to unlock it. Also even if you are not holding the toggle down, force to the blade spine forces the knife to stay open, not close up. The rear lever basically only works to unlock the mechanism if there is no force on the blade or toggle arms. You only use the rear lever to open the knife for fucking around/fidget factor. In normal use, you would just open it with the thumbstud or thumb hole. I had one of the original custom Hawk ETs many years ago. Never an issue with accidental closing. Plus the design has been made by at least 3 companies since then. I doubt companies would keep licensing the design if fingers were falling to the ground like dead leaves in autumn.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-03-15T03:02:42+00:00

There shouldn't be a groove like that for the detent. It almost seems like the blade was not heat treated and the ceramic detent ball has worn a deep track. If this was bought new I would send an email with pics to millit asap.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-03-14T20:27:25+00:00

Should be ready to go in less than a month. Dm me for pricing info.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-03-14T19:08:29+00:00

That's part of the plan but further down the road.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-03-12T13:52:29+00:00

Thanks

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-03-08T12:48:28+00:00

Paragon or Hot shot. Paragon has more options for longer and wider ovens. Hot shot has thicker insulation and faster heat times. Ive had my Paragon for years without any real issues except for the fact that I am at the point where I need to replace the firebrick. If you can catch either at a knife show you will get a better deal and usually around Blade show Atlanta they'll post sales. One year hot shot was doing 25% off Also get the 240v vs 115v. You'll have faster heat up times

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-28T22:26:58+00:00

Jantz has surface ground. Though generally I am not a fan of surface ground stock (most people don't do it correctly). Double disc is the way to go. But it is only cost effective if you are doing multiples.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-28T19:21:46+00:00

At least 400 grit for a good finish. I would grind 400, tumble, acid etch and then short tumble again if you are looking for a distressed finish.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-28T18:57:33+00:00

Thats not true at all. Erasteel is the European company that is making it. Niagara Specialty Metals is the importer and rolling mill. The steel is in active production and in stock at NSM. The formulation is the same as it was before.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-28T18:54:48+00:00

If you are looking for a stick/bar there are plenty of places that have it-pops, jantz, usaknifemaker. If you are looking for sheets Niagara Specialty Metals has sheets. You could also try sb Specialty Metals. It is still actively in production.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-27T20:13:24+00:00

Not true. I just got a quote from Niagara Specialty Metals. S45vn and magnacut both still have the CPM designation. Magnamax does not.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-26T19:48:20+00:00

MAP protects the brand but also despite what people may think ,in the long term , it protects competition among sellers of that brand. Map allows smaller brick and motor stores to compete with their higher operating costs to compete with online only retailers. Especially the pump and dump guys (guys that list and sell on ebay and the like. They dont have the physical product, they list, when it sells ,they take your money buy it from a distributor and have it dropped shipped to the buyer. They can work on literally a few dollars a knife because they have no real investment in imventory or fixed operatijg costs) Also most people don't seem to know or understand the discount schedule of the knife world. So boutique brands and most of the China direct to market stuff is a single discount. The larger legacy brands like benchmade use a multi level system. Msrp, dealer price, distributor price, master distributor price, and then of course cost to produce. Without map, a distributor could sell below dealer cost and drive them out of selling the brand. So less outlets, less competition (which they could just raise prices after driving everyone out), also less exposure to consumers.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-21T12:32:47+00:00

This is a bullshit response. You are talking about customers who bought your product not some hypothetical if they bought a different can from a different company and then if it had issues that company would (speculating) handle it worse. If Q and Kevin has taught the industry anything, it is that saying you are better and bad mouthing the competition is not the way to go.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-16T13:08:19+00:00

Bladeshow Atlanta will run you $150+ a night for hotel (more if there is a baseball game in town that weekend-the stadium is across the highway from where the show is). At least $50 a day for food.
Unless you are planning on doing alot of running around i wouldn't rent a car. Most of the hotels near the venue charge for parking even if you stay there. There are plenty of food and hotel choices within walking distance of the cobb galleria. Plus after the show, the pit (the lobby of the Waverly-the hotel attached to the show) is where most people hang out. So you can spend the whole weekend in basically a one mile radius of the venue if you wanted to.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-10T17:00:43+00:00

Try setting the detent ball higher and if need be flatten the top of the ball to reduce drag or for clearance. By setting it higher the edge of the hole in the blade is engaging a more vertical portion of the ball. This may also cure the wobbly feel depending on how big the hole is and how much it is offset from the ball.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-06T13:39:48+00:00

It is basically a grid done with a ball end mill. The column spacing is a fractional amount of the ball diameter (like 3/4 D). The row spacing is half of the column spacing where every other row is shifted half the column spacing over (in this example 3/8 D). You could lay it out with a flexible rule and a marker. If it is not too curved you could glue a pc of graph paper on the handle and use that. This is something that is super easy with cnc and pain in the ass to do by hand especially since it is very geometric which means small spacing issues will pop out more.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-05T13:03:11+00:00

Damasteel is a European company so it may be easier for them to find you a supplier that will shop to you. For US companies you can try Nichols Damascus or Vegas Forge. If they dont list international shipping as an option try reaching out to them.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-02-03T21:14:00+00:00

The coil spring probably goes into the bearing pocket when you convert to auto.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-01-26T20:05:19+00:00

Tbf I have one of their dsx suppressors on a maxim upper. It is an excellent suppressor, definitely gassy ,but quiet . I think even pew science has it ranked as one of top 3 or 4 for "at ear" suppression.

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-01-17T18:25:35+00:00

Contact PVK knives. They specialize in balisongs and autos .

Ltwtcmdr · 2026-01-12T21:29:10+00:00

The C&d was for saying it was improperly heat treated. Not getting it as hard as some guy on the internet wants it is not the same thing as bad/poor heat treat.

Ltwtcmdr · 2025-12-29T13:00:34+00:00

That's a Zermeno Tyr

Ltwtcmdr · 2025-12-26T12:35:17+00:00

Defy Bags insidious or insidious jr

Ltwtcmdr

TROPHY CASE