Why This New Knife Concerned Me, And Everyone Else..

Summary

In this video, the host shares his experience of visiting Worksharp’s headquarters after the company announced the release of their first knife. Initially skeptical, the host was pleasantly surprised by the knife’s quality, unique design, and use of magnesium for the handle. The knife features advanced materials like M390 and CPM 3V steel, and a clever auto-to-manual conversion system. Through various tests, including durability and cutting performance, the knife proved itself to be highly functional. The host praises its lightweight design, innovative features, and solid construction, making it a standout product in the competitive knife market.

Takeaways

• 😀 Worksharp, a major knife sharpening company, decided to release their own knife, which initially sparked skepticism and concerns about generic design choices.
• 😀 The primary concern was whether Worksharp would create a generic, uninspiring knife, but they surprised many by opting for something unique and innovative.
• 😀 The RMX knife features an ultra-lightweight magnesium integral handle, a material not commonly used in knife making due to its potential for corrosion, but with added strength and a high power-to-weight ratio.
• 😀 The knife features a dual functionality: it can be converted from a manual to an automatic knife, a feature not commonly seen in most knives.
• 😀 The magnesium handle is smooth and lightweight, providing a different feel compared to traditional materials like titanium or aluminum, while maintaining strength and durability.
• 😀 The RMX knife is available in multiple blade steels, including M390 and CPM 3V, with different versions offering various blade shapes such as drop point, reverse tanto, and sheep's foot.
• 😀 Testing of the knife showed strong performance, including edge retention and resistance to chipping, particularly with the M390 steel, which held up well under various stress tests.
• 😀 The knife performs well in real-world testing, including cutting tasks and spine impact testing, maintaining its integrity and smoothness during use.
• 😀 Despite the knife's strengths, one area for improvement was the grind and plunge area, which could be optimized for smoother cutting performance with certain materials like cardboard.
• 😀 The magnesium alloy used for the handle is cerakoted to help prevent corrosion, although long-term exposure to seawater or similar corrosive environments could still pose challenges.
• 😀 Worksharp's first foray into knife making is set to be officially released at Blade Show 2025, with a price expected to be under $200, making it an attractive option considering the quality and unique design.

Q & A

What was the initial reaction when Worksharp announced they were releasing a knife?

The initial reaction was one of skepticism and concern, particularly about whether Worksharp would play it safe and release a generic, uninspired knife.

What specific features did the author expect from Worksharp's knife before seeing it?

The author expected a large knife with common features like M390 steel, a drop point or reverse tanto blade, a manual button lock, and a lightweight magnesium handle, but feared it would be too conventional or poorly designed.

How did the author feel after seeing the beta version of Worksharp's knife at Blade Show?

After seeing the beta version of the knife at Blade Show, the author was impressed and understood why Worksharp decided to make a knife, realizing it was not just another generic product.

What specific material used in the knife caught the author's attention, and why?

The magnesium integral handle stood out to the author because it was a new and unusual material in knife manufacturing, though its potential issues with corrosion and flammability were concerns.

What is the author’s primary concern with magnesium as a knife handle material?

The primary concern with magnesium is its susceptibility to corrosion, especially in high-tolerance areas like the button lock or pivot if exposed to elements like seawater.

What aspect of the knife’s grind did the author find problematic during testing?

The author found that the plunge area, or grind line, could cause materials like cardboard or insulation to bind during cutting, which would be alleviated if the grind line were moved closer to the cutting edge.

How does the magnesium handle compare to other materials like aluminum and titanium?

Magnesium offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, being lighter than aluminum and tougher than titanium. However, it is more prone to corrosion, which is a significant concern for its use in knife handles.

What was the result of the fire test conducted on the magnesium rod?

The fire test on the magnesium rod showed that while small pieces of pure magnesium light easily and burn white hot, larger pieces did not burn through steel as dramatically as the author had expected.

What testing methods did the author use to evaluate the performance of the RMX knife?

The author used scientific testing methods like the brass rod test to assess yield strength and the wood twist test to examine toughness and resistance to chipping, all of which showed positive results in terms of steel performance.

What did the author think about the pricing of the Worksharp RMX knife?

The author considered the RMX knife's price, expected to be under $200, to be a great value given the unique features and performance offered by the knife.