# What about the warranty?

Almost all products we sell are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. However, how that warranty works and what the terms and conditions are can differ per brand or product. For that reason we love to tell you more about what we mean when we say warranty and what common exceptions and point of attention are. It may be a confusing amount of exceptions and differences so buckle up: here we go.

## What does your warranty apply to?

In nine out of ten cases you will receive a warranty on **material and manufacturing flaws** when you purchase a product. This means that if there is a defect in the product caused by a flaw in the material, or the manufacturing you are entitled to a warranty.

This also means that wear and tear never entitles you to a warranty. After a while each product will wear out, to a greater or lesser extent. This, however, doesn’t mean that the product or the manufacturer is to blame. Some products wear out faster because they are perhaps of lesser quality. As long as this is inherent to the product, and not an exceptional material or manufacturing flaw you won’t be able to invoke the warranty offered by the manufacturer.

## So what does warranty mean?

What a brand feels should be a part of a warranty differs as well. For instance, if a product breaks within the warranty period you are legally entitled to a repair or replacement. This means that a knife can sometimes be fixed and enhanced with a new blade or any other replacement part. Sometimes it means you will receive a completely new product. If the product is no longer produced the product can be replaced by a product of equal value. This is taken care of by the supplier or manufacturer.

Some manufacturers choose to replace the product with a refurbished product. This is a fixed and checked version of the product. As long as this product is of equal value as the product you sent in, the manufacturer may decide to do so.

## What about the warranty period?

Many products list a warranty period. Often a minimum of two years after purchase, up to life. Within that period you can claim the warranty offered.

It is important to know that for some products the conditions of the warranty differ from other products produced by the same manufacturer. Think of a bottle of oil or a tube of diamond paste for a strop. Fortunately these are also products for which the warranty is (almost) never claimed.

Some manufacturers can also decide to, for instance, offer a standard two-year warranty which they will extend to five years if you register online or send a postcard.

## What does life-long warranty mean?

What life-long warranty means differs per brand. While some brands consider life-long to be as long as the initial purchaser is still alive, some feel life-long actually applies without a limit. However, most common is that a warranty lasts as long as the expected life of the product.

There are American manufacturers who print a label saying ‘Lifetime Warranty*’ on the box. However, when you look up the star on the back of the box you will notice that life-long only means when you live in North-America, and that you ‘only’ get a 25-year warranty if you live elsewhere.

## Defects due to incorrect use

Sometimes something happens to a product because it isn’t correctly used. Defects caused by incorrect use are practically never a part of the warranty. Simply think before use if the product was intended for what you are about to do with it.

A favourite example is batoning with an outdoor knife where you cut or split a piece of wood by using a baton-sized stick to hit the spine of a knife. Yes, many knives can handle this. Some are even made for it. However, in the end it is a task which should be carried out with an axe.

We do have to state here that some brands give you a warranty on anything. No matter what you do with the product. These are, however, rare exceptions.

## Rust and warranty

Knives rust. That is a given. Even when a knife is made from ‘stainless’ steel it can still rust. It is, after all, not ‘stain free’. This is the result of external factors: moisture, acids or salt. Or a combination of the three. Think of salty sea air or fruit acids. Just clean and maintain your product well. You could, if need be, also use [Flitz](kato://product/FZ002) to remove the rust. It is never covered by the warranty.

## Modifications and disassembly

For many products the following applies: if you modify the product yourself your warranty will expire. Sharpening a knife is, of course, not included as it is necessary maintenance. But as soon as you start filing, painting, sanding, soldering, anodizing etc. your warranty will expire immediately. There are manufacturers who look at this a little more pragmatically: a small modification to the handle won’t affect the blade, which will make them lenient. But never assume they will be!

Disassembly could also lead to the warranty expiring. Think of the famous stickers on electronics: ‘Warranty void if seal broken’. It, however, really differs per brand how this is handled. First you should always check the website of the manufacturer before you bring out your toolbox.

## Transferability and warranty

Some brands are very strict in saying they will only hand out a warranty to the first owner of the product. One of the reasons being that they assume that during the first purchase a user manual was included in the box that attempted to assure good use. If it is a second-hand product this manual is not always still included.

## Batteries and warranty

When it comes to batteries things are slightly more complicated when it comes to warranties. For many lights, even those which include a battery, a five-year warranty is listed on material and manufacturing flaws. However, this applies to the light and not to the battery. Some manufacturers don’t even hand out a warranty on the battery at all, others only six months.

This is because the battery is considered to be a consumer product. Like you also need vacuum cleaner bags to keep your vacuum working, you will need a battery to make your light shine. A vacuum cleaner bag won’t last forever, even though you occasionally empty it. The same applies to a battery. On average you charge a Li-Ion battery 500 times, after which it is basically done. The way you handle a battery also determines how well it keeps working. Whether you charge it completely and completely empty it. Or if you leave it out empty too long, or consequently overcharge it in a faulty charger. Do you store it in a hot environment or a really cold one? These types of things cannot be checked in case of a warranty claim. So keep in mind that batteries are almost never covered by the warranty.

## So many different opinions, what about names?

In this article we have talked about many different views amongst different manufacturers. It would make sense to say: but what are the names of these manufacturers? We will not say. Mostly because it would mean that this page would never be up-to-date. For that reason we always recommend to always visit the website of the manufacturer in case of a defect to see what type of warranty conditions they adhere to. After all, these may be subject to change.

## Product defective? Contact us!

Is your product defective? Please contact us. You can do so via our [service page](https://support.knivesandtools.com/hc/en-us?w-warranty=1). It helps a lot if you can clearly describe how you used the product when it went wrong. It also helps if you can include photographs of the problem. Based on those we will be able to see how we can help you.

# What about the warranty?

Almost all products we sell are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. However, how that warranty works and what the terms and conditions are can differ per brand or product. For that reason we love to tell you more about what we mean when we say warranty and what common exceptions and point of attention are. It may be a confusing amount of exceptions and differences so buckle up: here we go.

## What does your warranty apply to?

In nine out of ten cases you will receive a warranty on **material and manufacturing flaws** when you purchase a product. This means that if there is a defect in the product caused by a flaw in the material, or the manufacturing you are entitled to a warranty.

This also means that wear and tear never entitles you to a warranty. After a while each product will wear out, to a greater or lesser extent. This, however, doesn’t mean that the product or the manufacturer is to blame. Some products wear out faster because they are perhaps of lesser quality. As long as this is inherent to the product, and not an exceptional material or manufacturing flaw you won’t be able to invoke the warranty offered by the manufacturer.

## So what does warranty mean?

What a brand feels should be a part of a warranty differs as well. For instance, if a product breaks within the warranty period you are legally entitled to a repair or replacement. This means that a knife can sometimes be fixed and enhanced with a new blade or any other replacement part. Sometimes it means you will receive a completely new product. If the product is no longer produced the product can be replaced by a product of equal value. This is taken care of by the supplier or manufacturer.

Some manufacturers choose to replace the product with a refurbished product. This is a fixed and checked version of the product. As long as this product is of equal value as the product you sent in, the manufacturer may decide to do so.

## What about the warranty period?

Many products list a warranty period. Often a minimum of two years after purchase, up to life. Within that period you can claim the warranty offered.

It is important to know that for some products the conditions of the warranty differ from other products produced by the same manufacturer. Think of a bottle of oil or a tube of diamond paste for a strop. Fortunately these are also products for which the warranty is (almost) never claimed.

Some manufacturers can also decide to, for instance, offer a standard two-year warranty which they will extend to five years if you register online or send a postcard.

## What does life-long warranty mean?

What life-long warranty means differs per brand. While some brands consider life-long to be as long as the initial purchaser is still alive, some feel life-long actually applies without a limit. However, most common is that a warranty lasts as long as the expected life of the product.

There are American manufacturers who print a label saying ‘Lifetime Warranty*’ on the box. However, when you look up the star on the back of the box you will notice that life-long only means when you live in North-America, and that you ‘only’ get a 25-year warranty if you live elsewhere.

## Defects due to incorrect use

Sometimes something happens to a product because it isn’t correctly used. Defects caused by incorrect use are practically never a part of the warranty. Simply think before use if the product was intended for what you are about to do with it.

A favourite example is batoning with an outdoor knife where you cut or split a piece of wood by using a baton-sized stick to hit the spine of a knife. Yes, many knives can handle this. Some are even made for it. However, in the end it is a task which should be carried out with an axe.

We do have to state here that some brands give you a warranty on anything. No matter what you do with the product. These are, however, rare exceptions.

## Rust and warranty

Knives rust. That is a given. Even when a knife is made from ‘stainless’ steel it can still rust. It is, after all, not ‘stain free’. This is the result of external factors: moisture, acids or salt. Or a combination of the three. Think of salty sea air or fruit acids. Just clean and maintain your product well. You could, if need be, also use [Flitz](kato://product/FZ002) to remove the rust. It is never covered by the warranty.

## Modifications and disassembly

For many products the following applies: if you modify the product yourself your warranty will expire. Sharpening a knife is, of course, not included as it is necessary maintenance. But as soon as you start filing, painting, sanding, soldering, anodizing etc. your warranty will expire immediately. There are manufacturers who look at this a little more pragmatically: a small modification to the handle won’t affect the blade, which will make them lenient. But never assume they will be!

Disassembly could also lead to the warranty expiring. Think of the famous stickers on electronics: ‘Warranty void if seal broken’. It, however, really differs per brand how this is handled. First you should always check the website of the manufacturer before you bring out your toolbox.

## Transferability and warranty

Some brands are very strict in saying they will only hand out a warranty to the first owner of the product. One of the reasons being that they assume that during the first purchase a user manual was included in the box that attempted to assure good use. If it is a second-hand product this manual is not always still included.

## Batteries and warranty

When it comes to batteries things are slightly more complicated when it comes to warranties. For many lights, even those which include a battery, a five-year warranty is listed on material and manufacturing flaws. However, this applies to the light and not to the battery. Some manufacturers don’t even hand out a warranty on the battery at all, others only six months.

This is because the battery is considered to be a consumer product. Like you also need vacuum cleaner bags to keep your vacuum working, you will need a battery to make your light shine. A vacuum cleaner bag won’t last forever, even though you occasionally empty it. The same applies to a battery. On average you charge a Li-Ion battery 500 times, after which it is basically done. The way you handle a battery also determines how well it keeps working. Whether you charge it completely and completely empty it. Or if you leave it out empty too long, or consequently overcharge it in a faulty charger. Do you store it in a hot environment or a really cold one? These types of things cannot be checked in case of a warranty claim. So keep in mind that batteries are almost never covered by the warranty.

## So many different opinions, what about names?

In this article we have talked about many different views amongst different manufacturers. It would make sense to say: but what are the names of these manufacturers? We will not say. Mostly because it would mean that this page would never be up-to-date. For that reason we always recommend to always visit the website of the manufacturer in case of a defect to see what type of warranty conditions they adhere to. After all, these may be subject to change.

## Product defective? Contact us!

Is your product defective? Please contact us. You can do so via our [service page](https://support.knivesandtools.com/hc/en-gb?w-warranty=1). It helps a lot if you can clearly describe how you used the product when it went wrong. It also helps if you can include photographs of the problem. Based on those we will be able to see how we can help you.

Warranty explained

## Features of the Case Pocket Worn collection 

The Case Pocket Worn series is beloved by many. Fans praise the stunning finish and attention to detail that goes into making these knives. The handles are made from bone, a gorgeous and natural material. This material is enhanced with a subtle texture, making the pocket knife look amazing and feel great in hand. 

 

 ### Types of Case Pocket Worn pocket knives 

The series consists of different types of Case pocket knives with a single, two or even three blades made for gutting game, castrating young bulls and food prep or carving wood. You can choose whether you prefer a carbon-steel blade or a blade made from Thru-Sharp stainless steel. 

 

### History of the Pocket Worn collection 

When introducing the collection in 1996 the goal was to make sure the knives looked as if they had been worn inside a pocket for years, making them look polished. Sanding the handle a little longer and polishing them a little longer gives the knives this well-used look we've come to love.

Case Pocket Worn

## Why choose Narex?
With more than a century of experience with their entirely in-house production in the Czech Republic, Narex delivers tools that bring together tradition and innovation. Each piece is thoughtfully designed: from carefully selected steels and advanced heat treatments to ergonomic wooden handles that are comfortable to hold.

Narex's product range is wide and versatile. From chisels, gouges and carving knives to files, rasps and carpentry tools. For those with the highest demands, there are premium series such as the Richter, with cryogenically hardened Cr-V steel and a hardness of 62 HRC. But the affordable series are certainly not inferior to the more expensive ones in terms of reliability and ease of use.

What sets Narex apart is the unique balance between tradition and modern technology. Production is done entirely in their own factory, ensuring quality and workmanship at every level. They then finish the blades and handles by hand. Thus, Narex combines high-quality craftsmanship with excellent value for money. With that, Narex still remains true to their original promise: to deliver top-quality tools that remain accessible to everyone, regardless of your budget or experience. So you get the benefits of high-quality craftsmanship, without spending unnecessary money.




## Narex series
Narex mainly divides up their chisels and gouges into several series, namely:

### Narex Wood Line Profi / Wood Line Plus series
The workhorses in the Narex range, intended for both beginner and advanced woodworkers. Hardness for both is around 59 HRC with beechwood or hornbeam handles and Chrome-Manganese (Cr-Mn) steel for the blade. The Woodline series is characterised by the steel strike ring. The Woodline Plus series has no metal striking ring, but a convex rounded handle for a comfortable grip during prolonged work.

### Narex Richter series
Narex's premium chisels. Richter chisels are made from Chrome-Vanadium (Cr-V) steel, which is first normally hardened and then cryogenically treated for high hardness Furthermore, they have ultra-thin side surfaces that make it easy to work in narrow corners. 

## Narex product types
### Narex chisels
Sharp, flat tools for cutting, planing or shaving away wood. Used for precise joints, finishing surfaces or making grooves.

### Narex gouges
Curved blades for hollowing out or shaping wood. Ideal for sculpting, lathe turning or making round shapes such as spoons.

### Narex rasps
Coarser tools for quick wood removal and rough shaping. Used for sculpting or coarse sanding before using finer tools.
### Narex files
Finer tools than rasps, for smoothing and refining wooden surfaces after coarser work. 

### Narex draw knives
Draw knives are blades with 2 handles for planing and shaping thin layers of wood by pulling the blade towards you.

### Narex wooden mallet
A wooden mallet (also known as a beater) is a hammer with a wide, usually cylindrical wooden head. It is used to strike or adjust chisels, gouges or joints with force but without damaging the wood or tools.

### Narex woodcarving knives
Small, sharp blades for detailed carving, such as figures or patterns in wood.

### Narex workbench clamps
Tools for securing workpieces on a workbench so you can cut, plane or drill stably.

### Narex block hammers
Block hammers are also called 'mallet'. You use these to purposefully and safely knock on your chisels.

### Narex cross gauge (wheel marking gauge)
This marking tool is inspired by the old-fashioned marking gauge, but works a lot nicer. Definitely worth a closer look!

### Narex awl
A pointed, steel tip with handle intended for pre-piercing holes in wood, (e.g. as a guide for screws) or for marking.

### Narex screwdrivers
A convenient tool for screwing and unscrewing. Narex is known for their strong, ergonomic models that can withstand heavy use.

## About Narex
The Narex 'Bystřice' brand was founded in 1919 in Bystřice pod Hostýnem, Czech Republic. From the beginning, the company focused on manufacturing tools for woodworking. Over the years, Narex has expanded and modernised its production, but the core always remained the same: making strong and reliable tools for woodworkers. Over the century, Narex has seen many changes both within the company and outside.

Today, Narex has become an established manufacturer with more than a century of tradition. Their tools are still produced entirely in the Czech Republic, using high-quality steels, careful heat treatments and meticulous hand finishing. Thanks to this combination of tradition and modern technology, Narex is known worldwide for its quality, durability and, above all, accessibility.

Narex

## Prototyping and milling bits


Were you able to produce a working fixture? If so it is time to start producing and testing prototypes with different tools. Used a milling bit too long? You will see it when you look at the finish of the tool. A part of the finish is therefore determined by how often the bits are replaced. A bit can be cheap, but also pretty expensive. Usually a bit is used for milling away material and another for the finish. Often another very fine bit carefully moves over the surface for that nice finish. Might take a lot of time, but it is definitely worth it.


## Finish after milling


In the end you are left with all the parts that were cut out with a CNC-machine. Done? No. They now namely have a surface finish directly from the milling machine. As such you cannot avoid the fact that every part needs to be finished by hand. Sanding, sandblasting, satinizing: whatever the knife needs.


## Cost of a CNC-machine


The CNC-machine itself also doesn't come for free. Modern CNC-machines that are used today can easily take you back 100.000 euros. Sometimes even more, depending on what the machine can do. That amount will be the basis. This does not include the additional costs of the accessories and spare parts. Cost of items such as cutters and coolant. Maintenance. Costs of a CNC-operator that will control the machine, and its (additional) training.


## Conclusion


So is it really that terrible working with a CNC-machine? Absolutely not. It is the only consistent way of shaping so many parts in 3D. And compared to cutting it out by hand with a saw, sharpening and milling parts it is, in most cases, even cheaper.


You do, however, need to know that it is definitely not cheap. And that it does require a great deal of craftsmanship. From drawing to fixture design and from prototyping to the actual production. It is not that simple.


## Gough Custom Knives


To illustrate we have a nice video from Aaron Gough from Gough Custom Knives. He spent years optimizing the production of this signature model. We are talking about thousands of hours spend on one fixed knife with a sheath. In this video he clearly explains how CNC-milling works for him and you can see his machine in action.


`youtube: JxAH6TGgNSA`
We do have to say that he uses a relatively old model from the mid-nineties. Today CNC-machines are little more advanced, faster, and can handle a lot more. The basic principles, however, remain the same and you still need to know what you are doing.


## Which brands are good at CNC-milling?


There are a couple of brands that are exceptional when it comes to milling work. True masters. Sometimes even award-winning. Examples are: [WE Knife](kato://content/migrated_pageid_495), [LionSteel](kato://content/migrated_pageid_443), [Rick Hinderer Knives](kato://content/migrated_pageid_464) and [Zero Tolerance](kato://content/migrated_pageid_508).

After finishing his studies at the Academy of Visual Arts in Tilburg, he started making knives. A file and a vice: it was all he had. With these limited means he laid the foundation for his career as a knife maker.



> 
> While others saw perfection, Dirk continued to improve his work.
> 
> 
> 


After his studies he started his own knife shop. At Hill Knives in Rotterdam he found enthusiastic teachers in Frans and Albert van den Heuvel. At the time - and today still - Hill was producing knives for the Dutch commando corps and the Marine Corps, among others. So real experts. Dirk spent many hours behind a sanding machine to hone his skills.



`instagram: Bd70QbHDhl7`

In 1999 Dirk's father suddenly passed away. He was a model maker and had his own workshop in Oerle, North Brabant. As a model maker his father made models and prototypes of (electric) devices for manufacturers. Dirk got to work in his father's workshop and found out on his own how all machines worked. As time passed a new world of production possibilities opened up to him. He developed as a knife maker and always wanted to aim higher. While others saw perfection, Dirk continued to improve his work.


He produced numerous knives. From small fixed knives to large hunting knives and from backlock pocket knives to titanium framelocks. It is remarkable that, regardless of the type of knife, you always recognize Dirk's hand. Smooth lines, curves, attention paid to aesthetics and the use of the best materials: all characteristic for Dirk.



> 
> Dirk produces knives always asking himself the same question: 'Is there an even better way of doing this?'
> 
> 
> 


He, for instance, has a typical clip point blade shape you often see on many of his knives. Even more characteristic is the sharpening line on his blades. In terms of shape it looks a lot like the knives from Hill Knives. You could see it as a nod to those who taught him so much.

Dirk de Wit: perfect knives from Dutch soil

## Low maintenance, built to last

One of the biggest perks? These boards are super low-maintenance. Rinse under the tap or pop them in the dishwasher – both work perfectly. Want to add a little protection or bring out the colour? A quick oiling does the trick. And if scratches appear over time, a light sanding and oil will have your board looking like new again. Designed to last for years.

## Experience the difference with Knivesandtools Wood Fiber

These chopping boards will seriously upgrade your kitchen routine. Practical, durable, and a pleasure to use. Whether you're a passionate home chef or just love good-looking, reliable gear: the Knivesandtools Wood Fiber series delivers top performance with a stylish twist.

Knivesandtools Wood Fiber chopping boards: stylish, strong and super practical

## Prototyping and milling bits

Were you able to produce a working fixture? If so it is time to start producing and testing prototypes with different tools. Used a milling bit too long? You will see it when you look at the finish of the tool. A part of the finish is therefore determined by how often the bits are replaced. A bit can be cheap, but also pretty expensive. Usually a bit is used for milling away material and another for the finish. Often another very fine bit carefully moves over the surface for that nice finish. Might take a lot of time, but it is definitely worth it.

## Finish after milling

In the end you are left with all the parts that were cut out with a CNC-machine. Done? No. They now namely have a surface finish directly from the milling machine. As such you cannot avoid the fact that every part needs to be finished by hand. Sanding, sandblasting, satinizing: whatever the knife needs.

## Cost of a CNC-machine

The CNC-machine itself also doesn't come for free. Modern CNC-machines that are used today can easily take you back 100.000 pounds. Sometimes even more, depending on what the machine can do. That amount will be the basis. This does not include the additional costs of the accessories and spare parts. Cost of items such as cutters and coolant. Maintenance. Costs of a CNC-operator that will control the machine, and its (additional) training.

## Conclusion

So is it really that terrible working with a CNC-machine? Absolutely not. It is the only consistent way of shaping so many parts in 3D. And compared to cutting it out by hand with a saw, sharpening and milling parts it is, in most cases, even cheaper.

You do, however, need to know that it is definitely not cheap. And that it does require a great deal of craftsmanship. From drawing to fixture design and from prototyping to the actual production. It is not that simple.

## Gough Custom Knives

To illustrate we have a nice video from Aaron Gough from Gough Custom Knives. He spent years optimizing the production of this signature model. We are talking about thousands of hours spend on one fixed knife with a sheath. In this video he clearly explains how CNC-milling works for him and you can see his machine in action.

`youtube: JxAH6TGgNSA` We do have to say that he uses a relatively old model from the mid-nineties. Today CNC-machines are little more advanced, faster, and can handle a lot more. The basic principles, however, remain the same and you still need to know what you are doing.

## Which brands are good at CNC-milling?

There are a couple of brands that are exceptional when it comes to milling work. True masters. Sometimes even award-winning. Examples are: [WE Knife](kato://content/migrated_pageid_495), [LionSteel](kato://content/migrated_pageid_443), [Rick Hinderer Knives](kato://content/migrated_pageid_464) and [Zero Tolerance](kato://content/migrated_pageid_508).

The CNC milling of knives: Is it really that easy? 

## Manual labour


We already shortly discussed it: the massive amount of manual labour that is used for every Bark River knife. The coarse shape of the blade, the ‘blank’ is cut out of a piece of steel with the help of a machine. After that everything is done by hand. The blank receives a heat treatment and is enhanced with a handle.


### The handle


The handle is almost always secured with ‘corby bolts’. These are, simply put, screws with a very high top to make sure you can sand them off to be left with a simple pin. These pins, however, firmly keep the handle in place. The great thing about Bark River is that they produce these corby bolts themselves. 

If the parts of the handle are glued together it is time to start shaping it. Bark River, after all, is known for its more than excellent ergonomics. To shape the handle they use CNC milling for the basic shape of the handle, but the finish and additional sanding is done completely by hand. If the material allows it of course. Some delicate types of wood and all types of horn and bone are completely shaped by hand. The knife makers at Bark River take the coarsely shaped handle and sand it down by hand to end up with the right shape. It takes a lot of experience and craftsmanship. Not everybody can do it!


After the handle has been given the right shape it is time to completely finish it. After all, Bark River wants the handle to be completely finished before they start working on the blade.

Why Bark River Knives?

## Why is M390 so wear and tear resistant?


To answer this question we need to look at the chemistry and the production process of this steel. First the way Böhler produces its M390. M390 is produced according to a powder metallurgical process. This requires some explanation.


Normally a manufacturer combines different elements in an alloy, pours out large blocks and flattens them to end up with sheets that can be used by knife manufacturers. Böhler, however, takes it up a notch. After putting these elements together they put them in a gas-atomizing machine which sprays the melted steel like a type of diffuser. The result is that the structure becomes much finer on a molecular level.


There are, of course, other manufacturers who have mastered this process. Take, for instance, Crucible with the CPM method or Carpenter which has called it the Micro Melt.


Afterwards you can check out the chemical composition of the steel. This is what M390 looks like:




| | |
| --- | --- |
| Carbon | 1.9 |
| Chrome | 20.0 |
| Molybdenum | 1.0 |
| Tungsten | 0.6 |
| Vanadium | 4.0 |
| Manganese | 0.3 |
| Silicon | 0.7 |


 


We can tell you a lot more about which element takes care of which qualities, and how a combination of specific elements ensure that you end up with the excellent qualities of M390, but we prefer to keep it simple and just mention the advantages!


## Advantages of Böhler M390


In addition to sharpness retention M390 has a few other fine qualities. It can be hardened to a relatively high hardness without it breaking quickly. This, however, doesn't mean that M390 is very tough. It does mean that M390, when compared to other types of steel, can be sharpened a little thinner.


M390 is also relatively stainless. Because of the large amount of chrome rust won't stand a chance. Especially when compared to other hard types of steel that are known for their sharpness retention but can still be affected by rust.


## Disadvantages of Böhler M390


Where there are advantages, there will also be disadvantages. M390, for instance, is relatively expensive. In terms of purchase price per kilo, but also in terms of modification. Wear and tear resistant namely also means hard to modify. As such you need more time to modify it, but your sanding belts will also wear out a lot faster. A knife made from M390 steel is therefore often more expensive than a knife made from a different type of steel.


M390 is also not that easy to sharpen. That is to say: you won't get very far by using a simple Arkansas stone. M390 prefers diamond-coated stones or ceramic options. Preferably under a very fixed angle. M390 is also not incredibly tough. It also isn't brittle, but you do need to take this into account.

Böhler M390 steel: what is it and why is it so popular?

## Hults Bruk's blacksmiths

Looking at the steps above, it's tempting to think that forging an axe is a piece of cake. After all, the machines have moulds, right? Well: they allowed us to try it out and only then do you realise how delicate the process is. It truly is craftmanship. There is no education for this, all blacksmiths are trained by Hultafors themselves. It takes about a year to somewhat master the craft, and another year before you're able to forge different types of axe heads.

This is one of the trickiest challenges for Hultafors: finding enough blacksmiths. Hults Bruk is located in a sparsely populated area and the work is physically incredibly demanding. It is very hot near the machines. You continuously lift heavy blocks of red-hot steel and have to fit them between the moulds with considerable precision in order for the axe to be perfect.

And no blacksmith means no axe. This is why the delivery times for these fantastic axes can be longer at times. Hiring more people is not easy. And even if they had the right people, then there still wouldn't be enough machines to forge with. Operating the current machines in shifts sounds like a good idea, but it is not feasible in practice because the machines need to rest. The machines are incredibly heavy and over 60 years old, they were not made to work 24/7\. Additionally, you can't buy new machines. You'd have to build them yourself. Hultafors also does all the maintenance of the machines itself. You can't buy parts either: even those have to be made yourself.

## Shaping the edge of the axe

After forging the axe head, it is time to shape the edge of the axe. This is also where we see the first real differences in the production process between the 'standard' [Agdor series](kato://category/hultaforsagdor) and the high-end [Premium line](kato://category/hultaforspremium).

## The rough sharpening stage

All axe heads are formed on a sanding belt to form the final edge. Through an ingenious construction, the sharpener uses their own body weight to push the axe head against the sanding belt. The forging skin remains largely intact, only the cut is ground clean.

## Heat treatment

After this, the axe heads of both series are hardened so that the edge remains well-sharpened but at the same time resistant to the hard blows that using an axe involves. The edge then has a hardness of about 55 HRC.

Heat treating the axe head is pretty difficult. Viewed from above, an axe head goes from quite thin to quite thick. Throughout the process, the heat treatment of the thin part of the edge should be as good as 15 mm further back. Thanks to their many years of experience, Hultafors has an excellent grasp of this delicate task. This was also one of the things we were not allowed to photograph: trade secret.

How are Hultafors axes made? Visit in Sweden

## The story of Case and its numerous handles


Characterizing for the Case knives are the handles. They are made from dozens of different materials. From types of wood to special synthetic materials. Especially the handles from Jigged Bone are very recognizable.  This is cow bone enhanced with a special colour and texture. By varying the colours and textures you end up with an almost infinite amount of combinations. 


It is also why the Case knives are so collectible.  With just the countless Case Trappers alone you can already fill quite the showcase.  


Case knives collectors


Case collectors are serious about their hobby. There is a Collector's Club that hosts various gatherings. Books have been written about the knives and the company behind them. The introduction of the annual 'tang stamps' in 1970 was a genius idea. Every ten years Case introduces a new stamp for the blade. That stamp will place ten dots around the Case logo for that decade. In the first year there will be ten dots. The next year one dot is removed from the stamp. So, 9 dots. The year after that another dot is removed, until the decade is over and it is time to introduce a new stamp. The result is that it is incredibly easy to learn in which year the knife is produced. This also means that there are collectors who annually purchase the same Case Trapper, with the same handle material, but with the newest version of the 'tang stamp'. This is proof that Case truly caters to its hardcore collectors.


`youtube: DlWpzMrpCRU`
## A ‘hands-on’ task!


In a world where many things are produced by machines, we often tend to forget that some things are still made by hand.  And even though certain individual parts on the Case knives are cut from large rolls, the assembly of nearly all Case Knives is applied by skilled hands.  Coarse parts are turned into beautifully finished pocket knives by expert artisans with the help of sanding and polishing machines. 


In the videos it looks incredibly easy: they move a knife alongside a grinding belt and a polishing machine and bob's your uncle. But looks can be deceiving: this takes years of practice. Not something you will be able to do after a couple weeks of practice. That is why Case is, justifiably so, proud of its employees. After all, without those experts there wouldn't even be [Case Trapper knives](kato://content/migrated_pageid_1238) to collect!

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