Nice little stocking stuffer

[hso]

No, not a sgian dubh.


The Ontario Ice Wraith.

Nice little folder. They aren't the best steel nor the fanciest mechanism, but for $20 I had to get one (well, three) of the Ontario Ice Wraiths. I must say that for an AUS8 recurve back lock it is smooth, light and near weightless. I got it off of an evilbae seller and he was prompt. Very cool to be able to see the guts working.

One question, though.
Ontario listed it as AUS8 on their website.

Earlier reviews and Knife Center list it as

• Blade Material: German 1.4116 Stainless Steel

So, considering these are marked as 1.4116 I'd go with the blade markings.

1.4116 is compositionally close to 420HC. If heat treated properly you get performance like a Paul Boss (RIP) result on 420HC. If not...well, bad heat treat has ruined many blade steels.

 

[bikerdoc]

Interesting execution.

 

[sparkyv]

Very "cool". Is that really a recurve blade, I don't see it.

 

[hso]

Is that really a recurve blade

Yup. Being so small that guppy belly is wider than the rest of the blade.

 

[rust collector]

Seems to get good reviews for edge retention. Has been out for awhile with black handle. Nice light summer knife, but it will be interesting to see how the handle will age. Remember how those clear Craftsman screwdriver handles began to stink as the cellulose acetate butyrate decomposed and outgassed? I am sure this is polycarbonate or other more stable option. Made in Taiwan, which is a plus in my book.