Post your Mcusta’s

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Sharpnshinyknives
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

I rediscovered that knife when I got it ready to ship to you. It is a fantastic knife and hard to put down. It’s a beauty.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

Thank you Mark! ::handshake:: And I wholeheartedly agree, this knife is gorgeous, even if it is addictive! What a great habit to have, huh? 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

I got a really good deal on this Mcusta last week and couldn’t pass this one up. I have been wanting one with this SPG2 powder steel since Madmarco pointed out that Mcusta had some larger versions of their most popular knives with this stainless steel. This knife measures 4 1/2” closed OAL. Black linen Micarta handles with this blade “ MC-121G has Tsuchime Hammered Finished SPG-2 San Mail Clad blade. (HRC62) SPG-2 (Super Gold II) is a powder metallurgy ‘super steel’ that has become a popular knife steel because of its jaw-dropping cutting performance, excellent edge retention and high corrosion resistance.”
This steel has a Rockwell hardness of 62, which is right toward the top end of hardness. It’s probably a bear to sharpen, fortunately you wouldn’t need to do it very often with that hardness the edge retention should be fantastic.
I am just a little disappointed with this knife. The blade opening is not silky smooth like I have gotten use to on all my other Mcusta’s, it moves like the pivot is too tight, but I can’t loosen the pivot pin, it seems to be designed to stay where they put it. I oiled it with KPL oil to loosen it and worked it open and closed and there was no change.
The other thing I don’t like is the thumb hole. I much prefer a thumbstud, but when it comes to sharpening the thumb hole will be much easier to work with and with this hardness of steel, I think the thumb hole is probably a wise choice.
The edge of the blade on this looks wicked sharp but honestly I had to work really hard to cut hair on my arm with this blade and that’s not something I have seen on a Mcusta before.
Some of these models with this SPG2 powder steel are close to 400 dollars. This model runs a bit more than half of that. I would love to hear what anyone else has to say about these with this steel.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: Thu May 20, 2021 7:07 pm I got a really good deal on this Mcusta last week and couldn’t pass this one up. I have been wanting one with this SPG2 powder steel since Madmarco pointed out that Mcusta had some larger versions of their most popular knives with this stainless steel. This knife measures 4 1/2” closed OAL. Black linen Micarta handles with this blade “ MC-121G has Tsuchime Hammered Finished SPG-2 San Mail Clad blade. (HRC62) SPG-2 (Super Gold II) is a powder metallurgy ‘super steel’ that has become a popular knife steel because of its jaw-dropping cutting performance, excellent edge retention and high corrosion resistance.”
This steel has a Rockwell hardness of 62, which is right toward the top end of hardness. It’s probably a bear to sharpen, fortunately you wouldn’t need to do it very often with that hardness the edge retention should be fantastic.
I am just a little disappointed with this knife. The blade opening is not silky smooth like I have gotten use to on all my other Mcusta’s, it moves like the pivot is too tight, but I can’t loosen the pivot pin, it seems to be designed to stay where they put it. I oiled it with KPL oil to loosen it and worked it open and closed and there was no change.
The other thing I don’t like is the thumb hole. I much prefer a thumbstud, but when it comes to sharpening the thumb hole will be much easier to work with and with this hardness of steel, I think the thumb hole is probably a wise choice.
The edge of the blade on this looks wicked sharp but honestly I had to work really hard to cut hair on my arm with this blade and that’s not something I have seen on a Mcusta before.
Some of these models with this SPG2 powder steel are close to 400 dollars. This model runs a bit more than half of that. I would love to hear what anyone else has to say about these with this steel.
Mark! First off, what a beautiful knife! I've been watching this model for awhile, and I'm sure it'll be a future purchase. A suggestion for loosening the pivot. I recently ran into the same problem and what I did was, pressed my thumb against the pivot side WITHOUT a torx opening(the mark side)for a screwdriver and turned the screw from the side with a torx opening,(the pile side)and it worked, although, a lot of pressure needed to be applied to the non-torx side. I think the best way to accomplish this is to pinch the mark side screw with your thumb while your first finger pinches the body on the pile side, and then attempt to turn the screw. I will go on to suggest trying some Quick Release oil on the pivot AFTER you have found the pivot's "sweet spot", there is something special about this oil and it just might do the trick. Good luck with this issue, I'd hate to see you not enjoy your new knife. 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Thanks Mark, I will try that to loosen this pivot. Not that I am likely to use it, but I like my knives to be in tip top shape even if just on display.
It is a good looking knife, thanks for the compliments.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

I agree wholeheartedly Mark. You want your knife to operate properly whenever you pick it up, even if it's only to admire and play with, and if it's not doing so one is likely to just pass it by for the knife beside it that you know is working properly. That knife is a nice match for your similar model with a stud and black covers, so I sure hope you can get it up to par. ::pray:: 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Here is a new fixed blade by Mcusta I spotted just this morning. I haven’t seen very many Mcusta fixed blades and was surprised to see this new series of Platinum Series knives they produced. Here is the description: “The Platinum Label collection by Mcusta offers the highest degree of quality and craftsmanship with special limited edition knives. This custom collection focuses on unique designs with special materials and finishes which exemplify Mcusta's passion for precision and traditional Japanese craftsmanship. This Mcusta Platinum Label knife is limited to only 90 pieces with each individually serialized. These are offered in two sorted general color schemes (although they are all part of the same limited edition run): Red Tones and Green Tones.

It features a San Mai stainless steel blade with VG-10 core that has a deep acid etched random pattern finish. The handle is made of stabilized wood and features a gem-like hand finished texture and is inlaid into a cutout in the blade. The top of the blade is hand-ground textured and the spine of the handle is ground to resemble waves. The bottom of the handle is mirror polished. It measures 7.125" long overall and the blade measures 3.375" long. This special custom knife comes in a wood presentation box with Platinum Label card and leather sheath.”

Thought you Japanese knife lovers would be interested in seeing this.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Quick Steel »

Mark, I wouldn't have expected these from Mcusta. Very impressive; creative, totally original.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

Beautiful new models Mark! ::tu:: I'm liking the red slightly more than the green, although I'm sure in person both look much better than the pictures! Which one or both are you getting? ::shrug:: 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Mark, I don’t plan on getting one of these. I am not a big fixed blade collector. These are 396 dollars each and there are a lot of other folders I would buy for that money. I wouldn’t turn one down if offered though. I would love to get my hands on one, that might change my mind about buying one. I’m sure these are as fine as some of the fixed blades I already have.

Garry, I am also surprised to see these from Mcusta. But they do offer chef knives, so I guess it isn’t out of their wheelhouse to offer another fixed blade.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

I keep my eyes open constantly for Mcustas that I don’t have. I saw this one last week on eBay and couldn’t move fast enough to buy it. This is from one of their Custom Series knives. The different series have different names and I can’t remember the name of this series. I remembered this one when it was first available at JKD and it cost much more than I paid for it. As you can see from the pictures they have wooden handles with inlays of pearl and abalone in the pattern of fish, ripples and water lilies. That is covered by this “grate” that is cut out of the handles. Somehow they made this grate look as though the steel weaves under and over itself, it’s pretty cool. The blade is VG-10 San Mai with 33 layers of steel. The top edge of this knife blade is much more rounded and polished than I have seen on my other Mcusta knives. The handles are also more polished and this knife is a little slick to hold onto, easy to drop. This one is serial number 046, that’s out of only 50 made so you can see how few of these come up for sale. This is the first time I’ve seen one of these on Ebay. The seller did not have the box or the Nishijin pouch that comes with this. Nice green anodizing on the pivot pin. Of course it opens silky smooth with one hand and is easy to release linerlock. This knife has had a lot of thought and hand worked details that make this a truly special knife.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Quick Steel »

Mark, I spent more than a few minutes studying this remarkable knife. My initial impression was that the handle may be excessively complex. But once enlarged, closer examination revealed the amazing craftsmanship that went into creating the handle; as well of course the blade.

I am inclined to see this Mucasta as rising to the level of a true art piece. Beautiful and displaying a wonderfully imaginative use of materials.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

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That knife deserves a long look. Certainly one of the nicest I've seen Mark. It got me thinking how many beautiful models of Mcusta knives have been built all those years prior to my interest in them, It's almost hard to think about it makes me so envious. After being fascinated trying to figure out the inter-woven visual effect between the wire and the wood on the covers, I took an over-all look at it and really liked what I saw with the rounded corners, rounded blade top, and drop-point blade, and, it appears to be about 8" oal which is close to my sweet-spot length. I don't want to insult you buy asking the price you paid Mark, but would you mind saying when it was new? Gorgeous knife my friend. enjoy this one! 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Thank you Garry and Mark. I agree that it is an art piece but at the same time very functional, except for the slickness which would be problem over and over with possibly dropping it. I mention that because I dropped it right out of the box and I rarely, if ever, drop a knife. I wasn’t ready for the slickness and didn’t have a good enough grip. It’s like my iPhone, which I have dropped over and over because of how slick it is.
Mark, this one was right around 300 brand new, maybe a little more than that. I think it has been about 10 years since this one was made, so for me ten years ago, getting me to spend 300 on a knife was not something I did very often. So when this one came up at less than half that price, I jumped all over it. I like the rounded edges on this and love the polishing they did on the blade and handle. Now I need to find out if this handle is stainless or some other material and what kind of wood this is. It’s too bad JKD took down the older models of Mcustas and Mokis that they sold in the past, I used that for a lot of research.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

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That's odd Mark that your knife is slippery. The covers look to be the same material the bamboo design knives use and I've found that to be sortta grippy, not so much as to snag something but certainly not slippery. I'm wondering if it wasn't designed like that in order to compensate for the open metal weaving where snagging something would seem more realistic, but with the handle being slippery the chances of snagging anything are reduced. I'll leave it there as I seem to be reaching. Although the price brand new is up there a knife like that warrants it, and for you to get yours at the price you did I'd say you were in the right place at the right time. It certainly is a shame JKD didn't save all their pictures of past knives, that's where I would have started looking. Enjoy your beautiful new knife bud! 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

Just spotted this beauty today. Mokume Damascus blade and bolster. Here is the info: “2022 MCUSTA MC-0145 LIMITED EDITION

The Platinum Label collection by Mcusta offers the highest degree of quality and craftsmanship with special limited edition knives. This custom collection focuses on unique designs with special materials and finishes which exemplify Mcusta's passion for precision and traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Only a handful of these were produced by Mcusta for the 2022 Blade Show held in Atlanta Georgia.

This stunning knife features a mokume damascus blade with an SPG2 powder steel core, mokume bolsters, and maple burl handle. This is a linerlock knife and feels great in the hand due to the bamboo design. The pocket clip is textured and looks great. It comes in a colorful nishijin pouch in a wood box.”

WOW, what a great knife. Price is great too, 650 dollars. Save your money for one of these.
Blow up the pictures to see the rainbow colors in the Damascus.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

Wow! That's a stunner Mark! I've had my eye on their model just like this one but with black wooden covers for a long time, but the high price has kept me at bay, so to save $650. for this one is unlikely on my part! I do have my model with all Damascus handles shaped like bamboo and I'm really happy with that one! Beautiful knife if ya got the bucks! 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

I agree Mark, it is expensive. I know Mokume Damascus is expensive to make and work, but it’s simply gorgeous when it’s on a knife. I have a knife with Mokume and it cost a pretty penny too, not far off this price. Don’t know if I will spring for one of these or not? That would be my knife budget for several months. I love the wood handles they used on these, that with the Mokume makes this a real winner in my book.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

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Being expensive certainly doesn't mean the knife isn't worth that price Mark, IMHO. High quality materials, skilled handmade work, every attention to detail, it still stands true, you get what you pay for! Whenever someone is undecided about purchasing a higher priced knife, I always play devil's advocate and say, "buy it", and I'm not gonna stop now, my vote is you "buy it" to go along with the other model you own already! But then again, I'm probably the worst money manager that ever existed! ::facepalm:: 8)
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

This thread has been dead for too long so here are a few of my Mcustas. Post them if you have them.
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SSk Mark “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

Just as gorgeous as the first time I saw them, Mark.
I will never tire of viewing such nice knives, and might even add a couple to my knives eventually.
That model in the last picture has me intrigued, I just love it.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Sharpnshinyknives »

That last one and the third one down are from their annual premium offerings. They only make a few of these and they are expensive and hard to get on the secondary market. I jumped on both of these when I saw them for sale on eBay.
For some reason there hasn’t been much activity on this thread for a considerable amount of time. Mcusta makes some of the finest knives you can buy, so that puzzles me?
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

I agree it seems odd, Mark, but you know how these things go; there will be a flurry of posts on certain brands then there will be a lull, just like now.
I'm sure they'll pick-up eventually!
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Jtx »

Here is a small one... less than 3" blade. According to the box it came in, the handles are Jute Micarta.
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Re: Post your Mcusta’s

Post by Madmarco »

That's a cool little knife, Jtx!
I don't recall ever seeing a Mcusta that small, looks good!
Congratulations! ::handshake::
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