Max Knives FP1905MI — La Dague with micarta handle, 440C fixed blade

Overview

The FP1905MI is the micarta-handled version of La Dague, created by Fred Perrin for Max Knives. The fixed blade, in 440C steel with a stone wash finish, measures 94 mm for 3.2 mm of stock and takes a double-edged geometry. The handle, 94 mm long, leaves one-piece steel behind in favour of micarta, which brings the whole to 202 mm overall. It is the more recent reading of this drawing, and the only one of the pair to bring two different materials together on the same piece.

What the micarta handle changes

Micarta is a laminate: layers of canvas, linen or paper soaked in thermosetting resin and then compressed. Unlike a handle cut from steel, it is not cold to the touch and its surface keeps a slight grip. Against the one-piece FP1905, the difference is first of all the handle material; the dimensions are close: a 94 mm blade, 3.2 mm of stock, 202 mm overall. Two readings of one drawing, one all steel, the other mixed.

Technical specifications

Double-edged fixed blade in 440C stainless with a plain edge, 94 mm long, 3.2 mm thick, stone wash finish. Micarta handle of 94 mm. Overall length 202 mm. The FP1905MI carries over the La Dague drawing signed by Fred Perrin and issued by Max Knives, whose all-steel one-piece version, the FP1905, measures 205 mm overall with a 93 mm blade and 3.2 mm of stock.

Care

The 440C blade, being stainless, asks for a wipe after every contact with water and a full dry before storage; a very light film of knife oil suits a long spell without use. The micarta is cleaned with lukewarm water and neutral soap, then dried with a cloth: its resin means it takes up almost no moisture. Avoid solvents on the handle and abrasive pads on the blade, which would mark the stone wash finish.