RWL 34 - steel with a story that pays tribute

15. dubna 2024

Among the exclusive Predator knives, which are among Mikov's premium products, you will find Predators made of RWL 34 steel alongside knives made of Damascene steel. It is a high-quality powder-coated steel that has a high ability to retain its edge and is resistant to wear and corrosion. The name of the steel, however, is not a random cluster of letters, but commemorates an important figure in the world of knife making.

The letters in the steel's name are a tribute to Robert W. Loveless, who first used Japanese powdered steel for ATS 34 ball bearings to make knives. The numeral 34 then refers to the number of components from which the original steel is made. Its superior properties come from the fact that its base is an optimum combination of carbon, chromium, molybdenum and vanadium.
Robert W. Loveless, nicknamed Bob Loveless or R. W. Loveless, was an American knife maker and designer who profoundly influenced contemporary knife making by promoting the use of stainless steels for knife making at a time when knives were mostly made from carbon steels. He also introduced a number of new design features to knifemaking that gradually became standard, such as drop point blades. For example, Mikov uses this type of blade on its Elipt EDC closing knife.
At the same time, Loveless has not been afraid to use new materials to make knives. An example is the Micarta. A molded resin-based material developed in the first half of the 20th century, it was mainly used as an insulator in the energy industry. It wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that Loveless discovered Micarta for knives, when he was looking for a material for handles that was resistant to moisture and chemicals while providing a comfortable grip. The Repetitor knife, which Mikov produced as part of Project War Veteran, confirms that Loveless did indeed choose well.
So RWL 34 steel is actually more than just a knife-making material. It is a symbol of the courage to go one's own way, of the constant desire to innovate and to exceed expectations. By using this steel in its Predator models, Mikov not only recognizes the quality of the material, but also values the courage and innovation that Loveless embodied. In fact, the RWL 34 is a piece of living history that retains a piece of its creator's soul.