I just got a knife from China.
Too bad, you respond.
Nay, nay I say. It’s a Real Steel fixed blade called the
Observer.
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| I've seen that blush on steel before, but the best I can find out is it's an affect from heat treating. |
Real steel is located in Hanzhou
City on the east coast of China and has been making knives as a contract manufacturer
for the last 15 years. In 2013 they launched
the Real Steel Company. China doesn’t
allow the sale of folding knives with locks on the mainland, so Real Steel has
focused on external sales. This, in my
opinion, has made Real Steel quality conscious. (Interesting note on the sale
of lock blades in China.)
The Observer is 8.25 inches in
overall length with a 440C steel blade 3.5 inches long. The full tang knife has a grooved G-10 handle
and comes with a kydex sheath and adjustable belt clip. The blade is 0.197 inches thick.
440C was one of the standard
knife steels used by the knife industry.
You’ll still find plenty of knives with this steel. It has the highest carbon content of the 400
series family, 0.9 to 1.2% carbon. The
elevated levels of chromium, 16 to 18% provide small, hard chromium carbides
that anchor and stabilize the steel grains.
This level of chromium also provides of a thin, self-forming layer of chromium
oxide that makes the steel resistant to staining. Still, a little care is required. Remember, it’s stain-less, not rust proof.
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| The machined G-10 scales are removable. |
440C steels can be hardened to
around 58-60 RHc. I’m good with
that. These levels of hardness allow for
a little flexibility in the steel. After
all, a bent knife can be sharpened and used.
A cracked knife is just junk.
Look, it’s a basic fixed blade
knife with a nice working length. It
feels good in your hand and you can resharpen it with ordinary stones. No complicated or advanced sharpening systems
are needed, always a plus in the field.
You can remove the handle for cleaning if you want. All for under $69.
It feels good, seems well made
and looks good. It’s for resale so I
can’t test it, but reviews I have seen make this knife seem like a good
deal. If I was still camping and hiking
I would carry this knife. Let me remind
you, it’s not the country of origin that establishes quality but the
workmanship of the company.
Real Steel also makes some very
nice folders. You can find better for
more money, but these seem to have the best value for the price.
