Fixed Blades
As with my folding knives, I love using high hardness steels and unusual materials for my fixed blade knives as well. For survival and outdoor knives, the focus is also on high-toughness steels that can withstand extreme impact and stress in demanding situations.
You can either select from a standard model below, or have a one off build done.
Shard
The Shard is both an ideal EDC and hunting knife.
Its practical shape is based on a design that dates back thousands of years and was widely used in the Stone and Bronze Age.
With a blade length of a little over 3 inch the Shard is very handy, yet still long enough for a wide range of tasks.
The thin full flat grind allows for low pressure cutting. The universal handle shape fits comfortably and allows for extended periods of work without stress to your hands.
Steels
Stainless:
M398 (65 HRC)
Vanax Superclean (61 HRC)
RWL34 (64 HRC)
Damasteel Damascus (64 HRC, several patterns)
Damacore Damascus (61 HRC or 64 HRC core)
Non Stainless:
CPM REX 121 (70+ HRC)
S390 (68 HRC)
S290 (70 HRC)
Vancron Superclean (68 HRC)
Vanadis 8 (66 HRC)
K390 (65 HRC)
...and many more! In addition to the above steels, which are permanently available, I always have a wide range of exotic steels in stock, such as Nitrobe77, ZDP-189, SG2, Z-Wear, Z-Tuff and Uddeholm Caldie. I also have access to pretty much every steel available on the market. So if you are looking for something specific, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I heat treat all steels using my own heat treatment process, which significantly refines the microstructure. Depending on the steel, the heat treatment can require over 72 hrs excluding the cryo treatment. After austenitizing and quenching, the blade undergoes three to four final cryogenic treatments at -190°C and up to four tempering cycles in order to squeeze out every last bit of performance from the steel.
Materials
Handle material
When choosing handle materials, the only limits are your own imagination. Whether carbon fibre, stabilised wood, micarta or mammoth ivory – I am happy to fulfil your personal wishes!
As there are so many beautiful materials available, I cannot even begin to list all the possibilities here. If you are looking for inspiration, please take a look at the pictures and videos below.
As a general rule: I work with any material that is not subject to import restrictions and is of appropriate quality.
Finish
As standard, I apply a belt satin finish to the blade, which runs from the back of the blade towards the cutting edge and has a matt sheen.
The alternative to this is ‘hand satin’, which runs parallel along the back of the blade and has a silky matt sheen. Due to the sometimes extreme hardnesses and vanadium contents of the steels I use, please be aware that the extra charge for a hand satin varies significantly from steel to steel!
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions; I will be happy to help.
Details
The Shard is all about effortless cutting. The thickness behind the cutting edge is 0.2 mm by default. (Thickness can be adapted to your needs of course.) The thin behind the edge geometry allows the steel to unfold its full potential: resistance during cutting is kept very low, lateral stress on the edge is significantly reduced.
Consistent grinding under flood cooling after hardening from full thickness ensures that the blade does not overheat.
Thermal processes developed in-house refine the structure of the steel for maximum stability against breakouts by enabling ideal anchoring of the carbides in the steel matrix. Carefully calculated and observed holding times during final austenitisation prevent excessive grain growth and lay the foundation for a low retained austenite content. This low retained austenite content leads to very minor burr formation and very easy deburring during resharpening and provides one of the foundations for my now famously high edge retention.
Grinding wet under a steady stream of coolant from full thickness after heat treatment ensures that the heat treat doesn't get compromised in the very end.
The Shard redefines ease of cutting and edge retention.
Dimensions
Blade length: approx 80 mm / 3.1 in
Overall length: 175mm / 6.89 in
Blade thickness: 3 bis 4.5mm / 0.118 to 0.157 in (depending on steel
Blade width: 38mm / 1.496 in
Without choil and the edge going all the way to the heel by default. Choil possible on request!
Included: IWB Kydex Sheath
Slim Shard
This variant features a blade that is around a fourth less wide compared to the Shard, the handle is identical to the Shard.
Super Slim Shard
The Super Slim Shard is especially intersting for hunters. The blade is around half as wide compared to the Shard, with the handle being the same.
Evolution Survival Knife
The Evolution is a collaboration between survival expert Joe Vogel from Germany and myself. This no nonsense knife with a subtle yet effective hand guard is ideal for survival related tasks. Lending from tried and true design elements which have accompanied humanity for millenia, this knife is your life line in any survival situation.
Steels
The steel Joe and I recommend the most for this model is Vanax Superclean. It's very wear resistant thanks to a lot of very fine vanadium carbo-nitrides, yet field sharpenable because of the somewhat reduced vickers hardness of vanadium carbo-nitrides vs pure vanadium carbides. At a hardness of 60 HRC it is the sweet spot for a survival knife which may will get abused yet must also provide excellent edge retention during activities like emergency field dressing or shelter building.
Of course, other steels are available for this model too:
Z-Tuff
Z-Wear
AEB-L
Nitro-X7
A8Mod
...and more! Please contact me for special steel requests regarding this knife. The choice of HRC hardness and steel can be made on your particular preferences when it comes to survival. Generally speaking, I do not recommend going above 62 HRC in a survival knife.
I heat treat all steels using my own heat treatment process, which significantly refines the microstructure. Depending on the steel, the heat treatment can require over 72 hrs excluding the cryo treatment. After austenitizing and quenching, the blade undergoes three to four final cryogenic treatments at -190°C and up to four tempering cycles in order to squeeze out every last bit of performance from the steel.
Materials
Unlike with my other models, when it comes to the Evolution, some limitations apply regarding handle materials since not every handle material is tough enough to be used in a survival knife. The standard option is micarta (many colors available) with G10 liners or full G10. Certain woods like straight grain oak are also possible, but I definitely recommend a man made, tough material for this model.
As alwys, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have quesions or requests.
Details
Joe Vogel and myself are bothered by survival knives which have things sticking out the back or feature heavy texturing, because these things tend to produce hot spots if the knife is used for hours. Add in shaky hands from dehydration and starvation, and your hands will start to hurt very soon when using a rough, pointy handle - to a point where you can no longer work safely.
Because of this, Joe based his design on tried and true design elements stemming from classic bushcraft blades:
The handle features a subtle yet effective guard which doesn't get in the way when crafting fine features in wood, yet offers a secure grip when dispatching game.
The rounded, smooth and seamless finish enables working for hours without pressure points and no risk of blood and tissue from game causing lasting contamination.
Particularly important: the handle is optimized for power cuts. It protrudes only slightly from the hand at the pommel area, which makes pulling the handle across the chest during power cuts significantly more comfortable, since the pommel does not scrape across the solar plexus. (A slightly longer handle is possible on request. For reference: my personal glove size is 11 and the handle fits me perfectly. If you have significantly larger hands than the average person, consider opting for the slighly longer handle option.)
As always, grinding under flood cooling after hardening from full thickness ensures that the blade does not overheat. A failing blade when your life is on the line is no option.
Thermal processes developed in-house refine the structure of the steel for maximum stability against breakouts by enabling ideal anchoring of the carbides in the steel matrix. Carefully calculated and observed holding times during final austenitisation prevent excessive grain growth and lay the foundation for a low retained austenite content. This low retained austenite content leads to very minor burr formation and very easy deburring during resharpening and provides one of the foundations for my now famously high edge retention. In the context of a survival knife, the aspect of toughness is even more important, which benefits greatly from the refined microstructure. Of particular interest are the grain boundaries, which I keep an especially close eye on if you choose a steel like A8Mod or Z-Tuff for your Evolution.
If you need a blade to rely on when your life is at risk: this is it.
Dimensions:
Total length: 222 mm / 8.74 in (Longer variant features a 20mm / 0.787 in linger handle)
Blade length: 118 mm / 4.645
Blade width: 30 mm / 1.181 in
Grind: By default high Scandi with slightly convex micro bevel, other grinds available on request.
Thickness: 3.6 to 4 mm / 0.141 to 0.157 in depending on steel, 4mm by default for Vanax Superclean
Included: leather or kydex sheath (please specify when ordering!)
Convex to zero grind
A convex to zero grind provides enormous performance in wood. I offer this type of grind on request. While less robust than the standard grind, it makes up for it with extreme ease of cutting in wood. Please specify when ordering!
Break Test Tip
Wet grinding and heat treat make all the difference! While I do not recommend repeating this because of risk of injury and unneccessary stress on the blade, the blade can take it!
Survival Training
If you are from Switzerland or plan to come here, I highly recommend the survival classes by Plan B Training. Reality based, no nonsense training!
Ordering
If you already know exactly how you want to build your fixed blade, please use the button below. If you are still unsure or have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at contact@kase-knives.com!
Inquire now!