Real Steel Squeezes Two More Blades into 2017

Real Steel Knives is fitting in two more new products ahead of year’s end. The Megalodon Eclipse dresses up an RSK original with a new blade shape and handle material, and the Arbiter is the latest fixed blade design from RSK standby Ostap Hel.

Megalodon Eclipse
For the Eclipse variant, RSK outfitted the Megalodon with a carbon fiber front scale, taking the weight of the knife under 4 oz., even with a 3.9-inch M390 blade. The Megalodon’s narrow swayback handle shape remains on the Eclipse, but the drop point is replaced by a slender, trailing point blade.

Real Steel Megalodon Eclipse

According to RSK’s Frank Gong, this blade was one that Megalodon designer Huang Liang Zhi kicked around when prototyping the original. “At the beginning of the creative process, the Megalodon had two prospective designs. This new version is the second of the two and will be sold alongside the older model.”

That original Megalodon helped RSK make waves in the knife community. Released in 2016, it featured a titanium frame lock and M390 blade steel and was a statement of intent for RSK’s S Series. According to Gong, the Megalodon’s popularity came down to three central successes. “Design, material and craftsmanship. This knife has been extremely popular with our S Series admirers,” he says.


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Arbiter
The Ostap Hel-designed Arbiter fixed blade is rolling out alongside the high-end Megalodon Eclipse. The 5.24-inch 9Cr18MoV blade makes this release one of the biggest from RSK to date. “With an extremely long blade its primary usage is suited to that of an outdoors exploration knife,” Gong explains. “Some could even call it a tactical kitchen knife, if you like cooking and chopping wood at the same time.”

Gong points out that the Arbiter’s blade steel should not be underestimated due to associations with 8Cr13MoV. “The Chinese 9Cr18MoV is disregarded by many, and the true potential of it is not fully recognized,” he asserts. The significant presence of .9 – 1.05 Carbon (compared to 8Cr’s .7 – .8), along with a confident heat treat, makes it a special material. “The edge retention [it] gives allow this steel to compete with some of the best out there.”

Real Steel Arbiter

Those who enjoy the Arbiter’s clean design but want it in a smaller size will be pleased to know that a smaller companion piece with a nearly 20% reduction in size is forthcoming.

The Megalodon Eclipse and Arbiter are available now. MSRP for the Eclipse is $259. The Arbiter will set you back $99.50.


Knife featured in image: Real Steel Knives Arbiter