Spyderco Sage 1 Maxamet Satin Plain Cool Gray G10 C123GPGY

Spyderco Sage 1 Maxamet Satin Plain Cool Gray G10 C123GPGY

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To truly understand and appreciate knives, it is necessary to become familiar with the rich history of their evolution. To do that, we must first give due credit to the innovative minds that have driven it. That noble mission is the purpose of Spyderco's Sage series.

Spyderco created the Sage series to recognize the revolutionary innovations that have shaped the knife industry, especially the form and function of the modern folding knife. Every knife in this remarkable family follows the same basic design parameters — a full-flat-ground leaf-shaped blade, an ergonomic handle design with a textured index-finger choil and thumb ramp, and a reversible tip-up wire pocket clip. What makes them unique, however, is that each Sage model highlights a specific locking mechanism and pays tribute to the visionary knifemaker or designer who invented it. The knives in the Sage series also support a very worthy cause, as a portion of the proceeds from each knife is donated to the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

The first knife in the Sage series was the Sage 1, which recognized knifemaker Michael Walker's revolutionary LinerLock mechanism. This elegantly simple lock had a profound impact on contemporary folding knife design and remains one of the most popular locking systems in the knife industry. Although Walker is not widely known or credited as its inventor, Spyderco's Sage 1 publicly acknowledged this fact and also recognized him for the ball-bearing detent that he later developed for it.

Introduced in 2008, the original Sage 1 featured lightweight carbon fiber/G10 laminate scales, skeletonized stainless steel liners, and an open-back construction that reduced weight and allowed easy cleaning. Its full-flat-ground satin-finished blade was precision crafted from Crucible CPM S30V stainless steel and included the fully accessible Trademark Round Hole. Although the knife's LinerLock favors right-handed operation, the easily accessible blade hole and reversible deep-pocket clip also make it very user-friendly for left-handers.

Stylish, practical, and perfectly sized for comfortable everyday carry, the Sage 1 remained in production for more than a decade. In fact, it stands out as one of the most popular members of the Sage series, outperforming subsequent Sage models featuring Chris Reeve's Reeve Integral Lock (RIL, also known as the frame lock), Blackie Collins' Bolt-Action Lock, and the front-positioned back lock developed by Harvey McBurnette, Dick Dorough, and WT Fuller. Despite its longevity, the original Sage 1 was discontinued in 2019 – not because interest in it was declining, but to make way for a new direction in the evolution of the Sage series.

Sage 1 Maxamet

All Sage models are expertly manufactured by Spyderco's maker in Taiwan. To take full advantage of the incredible quality of their workmanship, Spyderco has always made additional investments to supply them with American-made steel. In the case of the Sage series, that steel has traditionally been CPM S30V, a stainless powder metallurgy steel that still sets a strong standard in knife making. To raise the bar even higher, Spyderco decided it was time to showcase more exotic steels made in the USA – and the reintroduction of the Sage 1 was the perfect occasion to begin.

This version of the Sage 1 is a complete copy of the original in terms of its size, shape, and function, but its blade is made from Carpenter Technology's Micro-Melt Maxamet. This extraordinary material is an ultra-hard high-speed powder tool steel enriched with cobalt, vanadium, and tungsten, as well as more than two percent carbon. Its advanced alloy blend gives it properties that surpass conventional tool steels and approach those of cemented carbides - the ultra-hard materials used to machine other steels.

 
Carpenter developed Maxamet specifically for use in the rolls of their state-of-the-art steel rolling machines. Rolling and shaping red-hot steel requires a material that is incredibly hard and tough and can retain those properties at extremely high temperatures. Maxamet's advanced composition allows it to meet these challenges and gives it qualities that offer exceptional potential when used in other applications - such as knife blades. When Carpenter first developed this remarkable alloy, they sent samples to various knife manufacturers to evaluate it as a blade steel. Although many tried, Spyderco was one of the few companies to successfully develop the specialized methods required to machine, heat treat, and grind this demanding material in order to produce reliable, high-performance knife blades. Spyderco's American factory is currently a leader in the production of knives with Maxamet blades. Spyderco also shared its hard-won knowledge with its factories in Taiwan to enable them to use Maxamet in the carefully crafted knives they produce.

The main advantages of Maxamet as a blade steel are its high carbide volume, exceptional wear resistance, and ability to achieve very high hardness while remaining relatively tough. In use, this means superior edge retention and good working durability. Although it contains a significant amount of chromium, the chromium content in Maxamet is considerably lower than in stainless steel, so it should be maintained properly and can be expected to develop a patina over time.
 
In keeping with Spyderco's tradition of pairing exotic blade materials with distinctive handle colors, the Sage 1 Maxamet proudly features striking gray G10 scales with a peel-ply texture. They are supported by a stainless steel liner construction that forms the foundation of the LinerLock mechanism and houses a deep-carry wire clip that can be reversed for ambidextrous tip-up carry.
 
The Sage 1 Maxamet continues to recognize one of the most significant and influential inventions in the history of folding knives and Michael Walker, the man behind it. At the same time, it introduces a new era in the evolution of the Sage series — and a whole new range of possibilities.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Blade Length: 76 mm.

Cutting Edge: 67 mm.

Steel: Maxamet Tool Steel

Closed Length: 106 mm.

Overall Length: 181 mm.

Blade Thickness: 3.0 mm.

Blade: Plain / Leaf Shaped

Finish: Satin

Grind: Full Flat

Lock: Liner Lock

Liner Material: Stainless Steel

Handle: Cool Gray G10

Pocket Clip: Stainless Steel Wire (Tip-Up, Right/Left Carry)

Weight: 94 g.

Origin: Taiwan