RWL34? Alan Wood knife

[Big John]

Have an option on buying an AW knife. It sounds like it is a custom version of the Ray Mears Woodlore knife but with an RWL34 blade. The only marking on the blade is Alan's name and symbol (ie. no Woodlore logo). RC is 61. Asking price is £240 and it is described as in mint condition (unused) and less than a year old.

What do you think of RWL34 as a blade for bushcraft? Is the price reasonable? Will an AW knife suffer any of the shortcomings found in the WS versions? Grateful for any advice as £240 is a lot of cash - especially when you look at what is available (custom) from the USA. Thanks.

[Cool]

AFAIK RWL34 is stainless, so it will be less tough than the 01 carbon steel used on most Woodlores and may be harder to sharpen. (although diamond hones solve that).

On the plus side it will be more resistant to rust.

I seem to remember reading that RWL34 is similar to VG10. Either way, it's a good steel.

Read this thread on RWL34 (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?p=26051)

Is the price reasonable?

I think buying customs is a very personal and emotional decision. On cold logic, yes there are many knives out that have a better price/performance value. eg. Custom Bushcrafter @ around £73. (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1902) ;)

Like you say with the favourable exchange rate, you have a huge choice of customs at around US$400!

But I think that price is OK, expensive, but OK considering the demand. If you bought it and didn't like it, I think you could sell it again and lose much, if any, money. JMO.

[The General]

If memory serves RWL34 is a powdered steel varient of ATS34/154CM. It is an excellent stainless steel mostly made by Noggins ;)

Less tough than 01 but far more resistant to rust.

Its an Alan Wood, so no worries on resale or quality. I think its worth it myself...

RWL34 is far far harder to sharpen in the field than O1 as it has a lot of alloy and is harder. Probably a less suitable bushcrafters steel as they tend to go old school high carbon! Tooooooonnnnnyyyyyy :)

[Tony]

You cccaaallllllleeeeedddddd :D

Carbon is generally preferred as long as you are not doing water based stuff. Many people think that you need a carbon steel to use a firesteel, which is wrong, so, I would say that if you have a good SS knife that you can look after in the field then go for it. You may not end up with a really attractive patina to the blade but the knife will do the job

[Jason Cutter]

I've worked with and tested my knives in RWL-34 and I am very impressed. The most crucial consideration in deciding a steel for a camping or hard-use wilderness knife is toughness - even more important than edge holding as such. The powder technology makes RWL-34 superior in toughness to ATS-34 (its chemical twin) but the relatively uncomplicated alloy chemistry also means that it is not as "fancy" a steel as the new wonder-steels - CPM S30V being the example. It is not as wear resistant and is MUCH easier to resharpen in the field than the CPM S30V / S60V / S90V. I personally think that RWL-34 has the best compromise in all areas for a stainless steel. But all things being equal, make mine carbon steel ! Jason.

[Burnt Ash]

I've worked with and tested my knives in RWL-34 and I am very impressed. The most crucial consideration in deciding a steel for a camping or hard-use wilderness knife is toughness - even more important than edge holding as such. The powder technology makes RWL-34 superior in toughness to ATS-34 (its chemical twin) but the relatively uncomplicated alloy chemistry also means that it is not as "fancy" a steel as the new wonder-steels - CPM S30V being the example. It is not as wear resistant and is MUCH easier to resharpen in the field than the CPM S30V / S60V / S90V. I personally think that RWL-34 has the best compromise in all areas for a stainless steel. But all things being equal, make mine carbon steel ! Jason.

Not quite sure what you're saying Jason. All what things being equal? Do you back a carbon steel or steels against ALL the modern cutlery stainless steels, under any circumstance? The fact is that while most of us will appreciate a blade that can hold up well in service, we'll also want to be able to maintain and sharpen it in the field (and back at base) without undue difficulty.

Burnt Ash

[Jason Cutter]

Burnt Ash, what I meant with "all things equal" was that if we controlled 2 knives - the grind, the edge bevels, length, weight, construction method etc, etc. I'd still prefer a carbon steel blade. If I absolutely HAD to have a knife in stainless, however, RWL-34 is pretty good. Again, I'd emphasise that that is nothing more (or less) than my own personal preference and opinion.

In terms of "hold up well in service" and "maintain and sharpen in the field ... without undue difficulty" its far easier, and straightforward for me as a maker to make a carbon steel knife that can do all that well, than to try to achieve it in a stainless steel knife.

There is no doubt that the vast array of high-quality modern steels gives makers and buyers a good selection of materials that would best suit their needs, but I still personally prefer to keep things simple and predictable with a carbon steel knife. Jason.

[Seabirdflavour]

I'm new to this ( been a member for 1/2 and hour!) so please bear with me. Personally I would grab the AW knife with both hands and run before he/she changes their mind. As previously pointed out - you won't lose money. I have two AW knives made from 12C27 which I could never get a decent edge on. I tried America and got a couple from R.J. Knives in Montana made from 01 - which are excellent - but I got fed up cleaning them every time I used one to cut down stinging nettles/brambles etc. Just yesterday I got a custom knife made from RWL-34 which is most impressive. It's early days - but the edge is good and after two intensive days a wipe on the T-shirt was all the cleaning needed. If anyone wants a "road test" when it comes to sharpening etc. please let me know.
John

[Martyn]

I'm new to this ( been a member for 1/2 and hour!) so please bear with me....

This thread is from January, 2004 Seabirdflavour. I would imagibne the deal has been done by now. :lol:

Welcome to the forums BTW.

[Andy]

I would think it would have been £240 well spent though

[Gary S]

You mention CPM, is that the grade supplied by Crusteel?

I've been speaking with these guys http://www.westyorkssteel.com who say they can supply but they wont tell me the source. They also had some interesting info on spring steel grades at http://www.westyorkssteel.com/spring_steel.html

[xavierdoc]

Is this THE THREAD THAT WOULDN'T DIE!

I love zombie threads. Hope you get a response :D

P.S. Welcome to BB! The date of posting of each message is top left of the message-box surround. Why not post an intoduction to yourself in the new members/welcome section?