Description

AB Trekker Backpacking Bushcraft Knife – PM-X Gold (Magnacut Equivalent). Like a lot of my knives, this knife was inspired by the Architect Field Buddy 5.5 which was developed by the KnifeConnection in USA. It was also inspired by the Bark River Mini Aurora. I like the Field Buddy a lot but there are some things that I wanted to improve upon. The Field Buddy has a near full height grind and is traditionally manufactured from 1095 Carbon Steel. Whilst 1095 is a good steel, it lacks toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention. The handle scales on the Field Buddy are removable and are a bit on the thin side. The Bark River Mini Aurora is a great shaped knife but the handle is too small. My AB Trekker is a cross between the Bark River Mini Aurora and the Architect Field Buddy and is a scaled down version of my other knives.

The AB Trekker was developed specifically for my old Platoon Commander (AB) who has a passion for trekking. I made him the first version of this knife so that he had something light weight but substantial to use whilst out on the trail. He still hasn’t used it but apparently keeps it on display. You could do just about anything with this knife. It is capable of most bushcraft duties and because the blade is relatively thin, it also doubles as a very good food prep knife. It has hollow pins on both ends so that you can tie it to a stick and use it as a spear. The AB Trekker is now the biggest selling knife that I make.

The blade is 4mm thick and 4.2″ long (105mm). The blade was heat treated by Ausmaker Supplies to 62.5 Rockwell.

This knife has a Scandi grind. The spine has been ground to a sharp 90 degrees so it will strike a fero rod with ease to produce a shower of sparks.

This knife is made with PM-X Gold which is the new Magnacut equivalent from China. I said I’d use US steel where I can but currently you can’t get Magnacut in Australia. Magnacut manufacturing has been shifted from the USA to the EU so it doesn’t look like we are going to get any for a while. So here you go, the first batch of PM-X Gold and I’d have to say that the way it grinded, it feels just like Magnacut.

PM-X Gold – Stainless Tool Steel Bar & Sheets

PM-X Gold Stainless Tool Steel is a ground breaking steel designed specifically for the knife industry. It offers an impressive combination of toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance—qualities rarely found together in high-performance blade steels. Unlike many other stainless steels, PM-X Gold achieves excellent hardness and edge retention without sacrificing toughness, making it highly versatile for a wide range of knife applications, from EDC to heavy-use outdoor blades.

The particle metallurgy process used to create PM-X Gold ensures uniform carbide distribution, contributing to its superior wear resistance, fine edge stability, and ease of sharpening.

Supplied hot rolled and annealed. This steel has a smooth surface and is soft in its annealed state, making it easy to cut, grind, drill, and file. Thickness may vary slightly from batch to batch.

Made by leading Chinese Steel Supplier (CSCJ)

Composition

Carbon – 1.15%
Chromium – 10.70%
Vanadium – 3.90%
Molybdenum – 2.10%
Niobium – 2.00%
Nitrogen – 0.13%
Manganese – 0.50%
Iron – Balance

Performance Characteristics

Toughness 8.5/10 – PM-X Gold is exceptionally tough for a stainless steel, outperforming many other high-end stainless steels like CPM S35VN or M390 in this category. It resists chipping and breaking, making it suitable for everything from small EDC knives to larger survival or tactical blades.

Edge retention 8/10 – PM-X Gold offers excellent edge retention, performing similarly to steels like CPM 20CV and M390. Its fine carbide structure helps maintain a sharp edge over time, and its balanced composition makes it easier to sharpen compared to higher-vanadium steels while still offering strong wear resistance.

Corrosion resistance 10/10 – One of PM-X Gold’s standout features is its superior corrosion resistance. With nearly 11% chromium, it excels in harsh environments where exposure to moisture and corrosive elements would quickly degrade other steels. It is an ideal choice for knives used in marine, outdoor, or kitchen applications where corrosion resistance is critical.

The handle scales are Ivory Micarta and Gidgee with Black Micarta Liners and Spacer as well as a Brass Spacer. Brass pins.

The sheath is hand made Buffalo Hide