Knife review : Alpha 1 from DiamondBlade

Knives : This review consists of : introduction specifications stock evaluations general : food, utility, field edge retention sharpening overview comments and references

Introductions

Specifications

Maker Webpage : DiamondBlade Knives , basic specifications :

• Stag handle, mosaic pins
• Friction Forged� D2 High Carbon Tool Steel
• Edge is 0.030" thick, 14-16 dps
• Blade is 0.105" thick, 2.750" long
• Knife has an OAL of 7.000" and weighs 2.5 oz.
• Spine 42-44 HRC, Edge is 65-68 HRC
• Sheath is vegetable tanned, kydex lined, oiled split grained cowhide

Initial Impressions

Initial impressions :

Stock testing : main

The initial sharpness was low to moderate :

• Push cut Espirit baisting thread with 90 (5) grams
• Slice Berga spinning thread under 40 grams of tension with 5+ cm

• 3/8" hemp
  • push : XXX lbs
  • slice : XXX lbs

On carving wood compared to the #1260 Mora :

Through ten points on on some 1x0.5" pine making 2" points :

Food

Field

billhooks brush hook custom from takach forge Japanese camp axe Cold Steel Bowie Bushman Cold Steel Kukri machete Cold Steel Magnum machete ESEE Junglas Fiskars Brush axe Bruks Wildlife Hatchet

Grip

Ergonomics :

Security :

Durability :

Miscellaneous :

Edge Retention

As a very basic check on edge retention, through 1000 slices through pine :

Overview

Overview :

• high performance cutting profile

Comments and references

Comments can be emailed to Alpha 1 : Introduction

and/or the YouTube Playlist.

Most of the pictures in the above are in the PhotoBucket album.