Serratas reduced to 210 pounds.

[zackerty]

Not a sales thread as such, but an inquiry. Thanks, Tony for the help in this...

My name is Stuart Ackerman and I am a knifemaker.

I designed and made seven batches of the investment cast knife known as the Serrata, using 440C steel.

When you melt and investment cast the steel, the structure changes to a dendritic structure and the edge becomes more aggresive. The edge likes a 400 grit finish for best results.
Members here might own one of my Serratas, and will know how it cuts.

Spyderco have licenced the design.

The project is expensive to run, and I have borrowed the amount needed to buy the steel and cast the blades.

Here is the process...
http://ackermancustomknives.com/?page_id=228

I am going to be cast at least 50 and I will be completing them with black canvas Micarta scales and stainless Corby bolts, with a Kydex belt sheath. Other scale options might be possible as the project progresses?

The cost will be 250 Pounds and 30 Pounds shipping to anywhere in the world. A Kydex belt sheath is included.
I do not take deposits ever, and so all I want to know if there are folk that might express an interest.
Some will change their minds I am sure, but I need to know as an indication?

So copy and paste at your leisure?

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[Toots]

I'll very happily get the ball rolling Stuart.

1 Toots
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[samobaggins]

I'll very happily get the ball rolling Stuart.

1 Toots
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[zackerty]

Ah yes...
Left out a bit that I posted elsewhere...

When the first batch is finished, after a draw out of a hat, one customer will receive another Serrata, free...

 

[Nice65]

For anyone who doesn't know what a Serrata is, it's a mould cast 440 steel forming dendritic (fine steel needles) in the steel. The man here Zackerty forges this stuff, pours it in the mould.

I'm not punting his wares, there's nowt in it for me and I don't need any more knives. But the manufacturing process is interesting, and my limited experience of the one Fluffy lent me is of a knife that has a whiff of alchemy about it. A tomato destroying beast

The Serrata was designed by custom knifemaker Stuart Ackerman. Currently living in New Zealand, Ackerman is a native of South Africa and a veteran of combat service in Namibia and Angola. During his time as an infantry soldier, he learned a lot about what a survival knife really needs to do. That experience, along with his natural fascination with knives, both inspired and guided his efforts as a knife maker.

Ackerman designed the Serrata as the consummate utility cutting tool. It combines the familiar look and versatility of a kitchen knife with an ergonomic handle that offers hands of all sizes comfort and control no matter how it is gripped. The blade's full-flat grind and distal taper allow it to have a thick spine for strength, yet still provide low-friction cutting performance and excellent point utility. In Ackerman's words, "Hold a Serrata edge up, edge down, reverse grip, you name it, and it feels like it belongs."

The Serrata is unique because its blade is made of cast 440C steel. This process involves making a wax model of the blade and then encasing the wax in a mold. When the mold is heated, the wax melts and leaves a cavity in the mold shaped exactly like the wax blade. Molten steel is then poured into the mold to create a pre-shaped blade, which is then heat treated, ground, and polished.

Unlike traditional rolled steel, cast steel creates a dendritic ("fern-like") crystalline structure. Pioneered by knifemaker David Boye in 1981, this process infuses microscopic crystals into the steel that create microserrations along the edge. These microserrations increase the blade's "bite" into the material being cut and enable it to retain its sharpness significantly longer than traditional steels.

And Zack, you need to be posting this stuff up, most people here won't have a clue about Serrata. Sell yourself.

 

[Twodogs]

Can this be moved to group buys?

 

[sunndog]

Aye, as Nice65 says for a £250 knife i think you could do with more of an advert mate....i'd never heard it before now and i'm a knife guy (hardly ever went on BB)

 

[zackerty]

[h=1]The process below was linked in the first post, but this might help?
Ask me any questions, if you want?

The Serrata Process[/h]

Serrata…after the Latin word for “little teeth.”​

The Serrata Project was started by myself after seeing and understanding what David Boye did in investment casting in the 80s and 90s with his 440C steel knives.​

He found that the steel formed a dentritic structure, and the edge of the knife exhibited a “toothy” composition, and cut more aggressively than hot rolled 440C steel when merely stock removed as in a normal grinding process to make a knife.​

I researched and worked out how to do the casting, and after a few tests, Serratas were made and sold around the globe.​

For details about the Spyderc Serrata initiative please see here.​

The process by which I made the Serrata.​

Step 1: Make a model of the knife.​

Step 2: Make a re-usable mold of the knife.​

Step 3: Pour liquid molding wax into the mold.​

Step 4 : When the wax has cooled, open the mold and remove the wax blank, and check for defects, and remake the wax blank if neccesary.​

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Step 5: Make the correct amount of wax blanks, and join together with cylinders and blocks of wax to create a “tree.”​

Step 6: Coat the wax tree with different layers of ceramic slurry, and leave to set for a period of time.​

This is the ceramic shell, which has been molded around wax copies of the knife.​

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Step 7: Heat up the ceramic shell and this fires the shell, and melts out the wax.​

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It is glows with a reddish tinge as it is removed form the firing oven.​

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Step 8: Make sure that the shell is steady and secure on a bed of sand. Spilled liquid steel has a way of ruining your day.​

Melting 440 C steel in a furnace.​

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Step 9: Pour the liquid steel into the shell​

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Step 10: Let the steel cool overnight.​

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When you break off the ceramic shell off with hammers and brute force, this the result.​

The top knives have had the sprues removed, and the knife below is ready for use. The heat treatment of the Serratas is a propriety method of heat treat. I do have some secrets, folks.​

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Green canvas Micarta, stainless steel Corby bolts, and a Kydex sheath. Ready to slice and dice.​

In 2013, Spyderco approached me to licence my design…. See Spyderco Serrata Prototype.​

 

[zackerty]

If you click on any of the images, they will enlarge full size.

 

[Bartsman]

Hi there

I'm really interested in this design, I think it's really very innovative

However I'm not a fan of Micata scales. As an aviator I'd prefer Jablo (rotol) as I had a knife made with this material and it was fantastic - just what I needed.

So, while I'm struggling to find more order this material to propose for use as scales I thought I'd ask the forum if you know of any sources of this specialist laminate

If I can find some and it can be used here then I'd definitely put my name down for a Serrata

Any help or contacts out there?

BW


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[zackerty]

BW

I know what Jablo is, basically compressed wood and glue, replaced by aluminium later on in the war (WWII )
I assume that you are refering to a laminate of wood and glue?

A laminate of wood and phenolic resin, just about impervious to moisture, is called by various names today.
Pakkawood / Dymondwood / Laserwood...

I have lots...

If you insistent on original Jablo material, that is up to you?

 

[Bartsman]

Zackerty

Absolutely right - it was used in aviation in WWII and became notable as the material used to make the propellers for the Spitfire aircraft.

So it you have a modern equivalent as a very tight laminate of fine wood scales then I'd be interested

Please can you PM so images as I'm interested to see what laminates you have - the great the number of scales and finer scales in the laminate the Better

Thank you

I trust this finds you well

Best wishes


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[zackerty]

The second and third one down...
https://edgematters.uk/wcf/attachment/40738-pasted-from-clipboard-png/

 

[Toots]

Morning Stuart. Any idea if or when this might go ahead?

 

[zackerty]

The casting will take place around three weeks from today.
Even if some folk retract their interest, I will still go ahead, as interest picks up again after customers use the knives and rave about them.

 

[TeeDee]

I need to read up on this. But potentially interested.

Will these be stamped with batch S/N??

As its limited I'd like to potentially have the abilty to have a stronger resale value if required.

 

[MikeE]

Hi Stuart

Very keen as I sold mine (bought 2nd hand from BB) and fully regret it:

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[zackerty]

TeeDee

My maker's name will have an "8" in the name in the tomahawk head. ( Batch Eight )
I did not serial number the knives before.

 

[zackerty]

Look here for an example
See the little number in the tomahawk head?
I think it is from Batch Three?

http://ackermancustomknives.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/serrata12.jpg

 

[TeeDee]

Yep , definitely interested. Is the price WITH a sheath or not?? I know , but if you don't ask you don't get.