cKc Knives : SM-100

Knives : cKc : SM-100 (mule) Temperance 2 This review consists of : design consistency and unique features stock evaluations extended use : food, grip sheath edge retention sharpening blade material modifications overview comments and references

Design details and unique features

Maker Webpage : on GearBastion, basic specifications :

• SM-100, 59-60 HRC (hardened by Summit directly)
• partial tang construction
• 0.1" ground down blade, light distal taper (0.01" )
• 1.4" wide at maximum
• transition bevel, 0.012" thick, 5.5 dps
• 4.9" blade, 4.35" handle (effective handle length using choil 4.65" )
• heel has edge broken, spine is fully rounded

There are a few issues with the fit and finish however it has to be kept in mind this was basically a test mule in SM-100, not meant to be a presentation piece :

• slight irregular nature to the grind, front of handle
• front of handle is a little uneven
• there are a few dips in the edge

Stock cutting

The initial sharpness was measured at :

• Push cut Espirit baisting thread with 80 (5) grams
• Slice Berga spinning thread under 40 grams of tension with 0.1 to 0.15 cm

On Cardboard it performs as a Class I type steel consistent with the performance of another blade in SM-100 from Jeremy McCullen. The first run is as noted in the following table :

The edge didn't tend to wear smooth but rather :

• rolled (the large white regions)
• and chipped

as noted in the 50X magnification image at the right.

There are however issues with durability, note the image at the right (5x magnification) resulted from a press cut into 3/8" hemp. Given the :

• high sharpness
• low edge angle
• very high/thin grind

It was expected that the blade would make a cut in less than 20 lbs push, however after about 30 lbs it was only after making a partial cut at which point the blade was taken out of the rope to revealed the clearly fractured edge.

Food

Grip

Ergonomics :

Security :

Durability :

Clip :

Construction :

Miscellaneous :

Sheath

Sharpening

The blade material, SM-100, is Titanium based and thus grinds very easily, even working on a very inexpensive benchstone the edge is reset far easier than most modern cutlery steels. Now care has to be taken because this material, again because it is Titanium based, does not respond well to high heat in grinding and it will become very difficult to grind.

Edge Retention

Blade Material

Modifications

Overview

Overview :

Comments and references

Comments can be emailed to Please Use the Forum or by posting to the following thread :

• A little cardboard

and/or the cKc YouTube Playlist.

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