Sharp and ready

Sharpened and ready: I used the stone in my right hand and hold the knife in the left. You do not need a fixed device with practice.

03.08.2019

This is going to be an article I was going to use on my other page so here we go………

The Hunter Pro model is pretty crazy sharp from the get go. I really enjoy this large folding knife made by the Victorinox Company. In a way I have become so used to Swiss quality that I well.. I am spoiled a bit….I got several Hunter Pro knives in my collection and also two for use. In many ways you can just forget hard steel on this knife. It is 55-56 HRC , pretty much 55,5 HRC to be 100%, by the Victorinox information I received. The edge durability is high and it is a high quality tool for Hunters. The information I received from professionals is very good. The complete design and edge is ready to go the moment you open the box. The steel is a high quality one and this is why I wanted to write some about maintenance with the sharpening. This large lockback folding knife made in Switzerland can be used for some utility tasks besides the hunting sphere. Because of the incredible ergonomics and comfort I discovered that is a very good safety knife in the outdoors. So how is it to maintain?

Because it is only a one blade folding knife it is easy to clean. If you are used to cleaning SAKs then this is easier. Many times it is nice to just touch the edge up in between use so it will be longer between full sharpening. You can correct the edge with many things………..I have become very used to using a diamond coated device by hand. I have sharpened so many times that I do not need a fixed angle or device. This is an advantage because all you have to do is bring one diamond coated rod/device/stone with two sides. One coarse and one fine will do the trick nicely. Most of the times it is the diamond coated fine side that is used to touch it up, polish and having it prepared.

The steel used on the Hunter Pro is very easy to sharpen and it reacts momentarily to the fine side stones. In the outdoors you could manage with one a fine diamond stone. That is an advantage I would say.

To keep it short you find the angle on the edge and follow it by using circular motion with medium pressure. In between you do it lengthwise and crosswise if I could say so. You finish up by doing the same thing with the light pressure. I like to finish up by using super light pressure like you would shave small flakes off the diamond surface. Not everyone would agree but that works for me always. I managed to get it a hair sharper than the original edge so now it is wicked ready.  You can polish the edge so it will become like a mirror. It is not necessary.

In between I use a toothbrush on the diamond surface. It will need soap and water now because I have used it much for many things.

I have also another page with maintenance on the Hunter Pro to the left in my lineup.

older picture

13:03

Saber grind.

The design on the blade is what many call a saber grind with a secondary edge angle. The steel bites in wood but is not the best performer on such material because of the design. It is not bad by any means, it really bites into it.

In time with sharpening you may have to get it professionally sharpened because as you go up on the blade the edge angle will increase, if you just follow the edge. Many will experience by doing hand sharpening that you get an edge that is more convex in design. It is possible with some experience and practice to get a flat edge.

Back to the increased edge angle and how to avoid that: If you are aware about it you can put on a new edge by moving a bit further up and thereby remove metal and get the same edge angle as the original one or the preferred you want. This steel will probably be able to have a few different edge angles. The secondary edge angle if we can call it so gives much substance behind the edge and makes it sturdy. This is not a steel type that chips easy. Another method is that each time you do a sharpening that starts with the coarse side of the stone you move just a hair upwards and not following the edge completely. It is a bit more time consuming. This I learned from the traditional SAKs. If you do this you will “meet” the edge at one point and there you are, home and free!

original edge

15:05

Since it was mentioned that this is an excellent safety knife

The Hunter Pro polyamide is the workhorse in this category. I got the Silver Alox Edition and it is just incredible. It is not as good with ergonomics as the polyamide, this is obvious. It is into the hand-bliss sphere this knife. The handle got a surface that is rubbery and very slip resistant. The design of the handle and this material is top notch. The blade is very easy to open with one hand and also very sturdy. This is a robust large lockback folder that I consider to be very good for safety. Especially in a pouch placed so it is easy to reach. The alox edition got a lanyard possibility and perhaps it will happen on this too?  I have no impulses saying this, maybe worth wishing for…..

The edge bites into materials like leather, belts and rope like a champ.

15:30

I do not recommend removing the secondary edge. I believe it is best to follow my guide above, this means when the time comes you just move up a bit or just go a hair at the time when each maintenance round is done, that starts with the coarse edge.

If you look on the factory edge on the Hunter Pro models you can see some small variables on the edge line. I follow it and you can if you want the line to be the same all the way also correct this because in time this is unavoidable.

16:10

In my page and text above today I talk about X1/X2 that you see on the picture. At first when sharpening this is no subject. You just follow the edge for many times. At one point or another you must to avoid getting a larger edge angle remove some metal. This means you start at X2. You will meet the edge at one point and then you have a new start that you can follow for many times or you can go just a hair up each time you use the coarse side. Way into the future the second stage begins because or if you do not want the X1 to become shorter and shorter then you must lift this up as well, see T2. Usually knives are never used beyond stage one in its lifetime (use-time). Good luck!

17:24

Last today i would like to continue some about the sharpening, secondary-edge, grind and pressure.

At one point or another you will meet the grind or edge and for me it about having approximately the same angle all the way into the future. Perhaps this is easier on traditional SAKs because I have done it several times and it is not the same design either. To remove some metal goes for the same anyhow. There is much freedom in the Saber Grind used on the Hunter Pro because depending on your philosophy you can adjust T2 or X1/X2. This means you will get a different surface on X1. For me it fun and interesting anyway and another example on how Swiss knives continue my education. I just follow the edge for now. As I see it by adjusting X1/X2 you will meet the saber ground blade to become a zero-ground saber grind. As the edge is now I would not remove the secondary edge because from my research on other knives from the world such a design can give substance and strength to the edge. That said it will become a larger edge angle in time and at one point or another something must be done.

Pressure

My knowledge is that one should never use hard pressure when sharpening. The diamond coated sharpening devices today is a real blessing and the coarse sides will remove metal easy. I noticed when sharpening this knife that it is good steel. It is difficult to describe but it is a feeling I get in the hand.

07.08.2019

Hunter Pro Silver Alox

It is a beautiful knife and Victorinox says it is the same steel and process used on the blade.

25.03.2020

This is my latest Victorinox knife and this is the red Hunter Pro Alox that I finally have in my collection. I have just positive things to say about it. This is a robust and large folding knife with a lockback mechanism. I have the silver Alox edition with one hand opening blade from before that I really like. All of the Hunter Pro models with plastic, wood or Aluminum scales are high quality knives. This knife got a plain blade that opens with two hands. It is a very beautiful design and the most complete of all the Hunter Pro designs. Victorinox use stainless steel side liners with the Alox on top, riveted together. This makes for an extra ordinary solid construction that is very slim. The inside of the stainless steel liners is rounded for comfort. The blade opens smooth and the lockback is easy to release.

Red Alox will always be the number one choice in my opinion. This knife uses the same removable pocket/money clip construction as the silver OH model. The precision on the locking mechanism is perfect with a super sharp blade ready to go. It is on the expensive side but I managed to find one for a good price. The weight of the 136mm Alox model is 178 grams with clip. With lanyard it is 188 grams. I believe everyone that says the Hunter Pro models are extra high in quality. I believe it 100%. The steel is perfect for hunting with dressing and so forth. This is also good for different cutting tasks you can find. The absolute best choice for comfort with Hunting is the plastic ergonomic polyamide handles. Not only for the ergonomic comfort during use but also for cold environments. Wood is also good but more difficult to clean. This Alox designation is directed at several areas of use. It is a beautiful design and it feels good in the hand with rounded edges. Smooth Victorinox.............

20:11

Victorinox call the clip system that you find on the OH Silver Alox and this red one for a smart clip. The clip is removable and used by some as a money clip too.  On the box with designation on the silver one with one hand opening it got the M. This must be for the one hand function then.  Maybe this caused some misunderstandings. I like it.  There are many details that must be noticed with numbering and functions. I like to read manuals and the manual for the red show both silver and red model. Stay sharp.

20:17

Silver OH Alox number 0.9415.M26

Red Alox number 0.9415.20 ( no M)

really nice knives!

There are many categories with Victorinox knives and i like them all. If you look on the 111mm liner locking category you can learn much from the number designation for the knife. You can see the M on one hand opening blades and you see W for wavy edge. I recommend looking in the manuals that follow the products. I am sure Victorinox got plans for the 136mm alox knives with colors and such, could be interesting to follow and maybe we will see a wavy edge model too?  What I can tell about the 136mm category is that it is like a luxury car.

I would also like to take the chance to write a few important words about the corona problem. This is exactly what preppers have talked about for years and I believe it will be ok in time. I take the precautions recommended from the government and specialists. Take it seriously. Stay safe!

I did some research on the web and found that Victorinox for some time now have used the lanyard opening on the Hunter Pro polyamide versions. This makes a lot of sense and one detail that you also find on the wood edition. I totally understand this direction and it is interesting enough to talk about. I have several Polyamide and also one wood edition with the original construction without the lanyard opening.  I have used a couple of them and one in in a pouch that I used on the water. With the new design you get a larger construction but safer. For example to carry on in a pouch with a lanyard it is possible to pull it out easier and also have a string around the wrist so you do not drop it. Which is very nice and a useful feature I would say. The Polyamide editions are so comfortable in the hand. They are very well designed and got a perfect handle for safety. If such a knife comes with a combination wavy and plain edge then it is complete! It would be a complete safety knife that is sturdy, with locking mechanism, lanyard, one hand opening and the orange color would be easy to see. The steel is corrosion resistant and easy to sharpen. Another thing with the Hunter Pro category 136mm if I could call it so now got the plain blade on more models too. It is growing just like I expected a good time ago. let me know if you see a wavy edge............

18:40

I am sure that many would wonder if the slim Alox models would work as a safety knife. I am 100% sure it would be a very good choice if it got the one hand opening blade and with a red color that is easy to see. Bright colors like Red and orange would be very good colorwise. Perhaps yellow would be cool there. The clip is helpful on safety knives to be attached on belts and pockets. The only drawback is Aluminum in cold environments if you do not use gloves. With gloves it is ok. The Polymide handles I have mentioned many times to people because it is very ergonomic, nice when cold outside and it fill the hand for full safety control. It is locked in the hand and that is what safety knives are best with.

06.04.2020

The smart clip or clip you find on the Alox model can be removed as you know.  When you attach it again it is important that it is fully pressed into place. On the inside of the liner you can see the position of the part where the tang of the clip and the liner rest when in place. If you do not press it fully down then the clip will not be securely attached. Use good thumb pressure when attaching the clip. You can see and hear the sound when it is in place.