Name: Small Bushcraft - PM-X Gold (Magnacut Replacement) - Maranoa Knives Australia
SKU: 26/198
Price: 480.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

Description

Small Bushcraft – PM-X Gold (Magnacut Replacement)

This knife was inspired by the Condor Bushcraft Knife and the Bark River Bushcraft knife. My version has a thicker blade than the Condor and is a little bigger than the Bark River. It is a tough Knife as it is made with O1 Tool Steel.

The blade is approximately 4.2mm thick and is 4.1 inches (103mm) long. It has been heat treated to 62.5 Rockwell by Ausmaker Supplies in Sydney. 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.

This knife is a great choice for a Bushcraft knife. The overall length of the knife is 8″. The blade has a scandi grind. The scales are Gidgee with Red G10 Liners with brass pins. The sheath is made from Hermann Oak Leather and has a firesteel loop.

The scales are made from Black Micarta and Gidgee. It has Orange G10 liners and spacers with brass pins. The handle has been ground relatively thin which I like. I cut the timber from a fallen tree near Charleville in South West Queensland. The sheath is hand made from Vegetable Tanned Leather