01 or 1095.

udtjim

udtjim

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Sep 4, 2007
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If your were looking to build a big hard use knife say 8-10 inch blade for camp use and you had a choice of 1095 or 01 steel which would it be and what are the reasons? BTW any other steels in that price range that would be better yet? Most of my knives are one or the other with a few Stainless mixed in.
 
I know 1095 would make a fine chopper. Never had 0-1 in a big knife. But I like it a lot in mid size fb's. A-2 might be another one to look at. I don't think you'd be giving up anything using 1095 over the other carbon steel, IMO.
 
id go with 0-1, because i have heard that it is more difficult to heat treat 1095 than it is to treat 0-1. but if that is not an issue, i would say they are equal.
 
I have several in 1095 and O1. I couldn't say that there is a big different between them. O1 seems a tad harder when sharpening, but both are relatively easy to sharpen compared to 440C. In all truth, I don't think the difference in steel would be a deciding factor between two knives against aesthetics. If I were going to have one made, I'd probably do it in O1 as a larger number of makers are using this now.

1095, 1075-1085, O1, and A1 are all great in my books!
 
If the heat treat is right, 1095 A2 and O1 are about the same, the differences aren't enough to matter in this application. IMO 1095 will be a little easier to sharpen and the tool steels will hold the edge a bit longer.
 
I would probably pick the O-1 of those two. However, I like to be different I guess, as my favorite carbon steel is quickly becoming L-6.
 
Ditto what everyone else has said. My first knife was 1095, which when I ordered mine, it was easier to get in bar stock that O-1 was. But, there are places to order them all, so that should be a big deal. 1095 was very easy to work with.
 
I made one with O1 and differentially heat treated the blade. It is standing up very well to hacking and slashing whatever needs cleaning in my yard. I'll post some pics tomorrow. I would not hesitate using O1 it is great stuff:thumbup:

Craig
 
It really depends on more factors than the steel. How it is heat treated will make more of a difference. Will it be differentially tempered? A2 or O1 are both good tool steels.

Check this page from Crucible for some good info on the differences between some of the steels. It's good to understand the difference between "toughness", "hardness" and "wear resistance".

http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/general/generalpart1.html
 
1095. Personally i'd go with 1084, 5160, L6. but between your two choices I think I'd go with 1095
 
Thanks again guys. It will see quite a bit of hunting camp use so other than prying, it will get the whole spectrum of camp use including cleaver duty. Once I get the shoulder joint changed I hope to get back to lots of hunting again. It will see some meat cutting duty as we always process our meat at camp.

I can't bring myself to pry with a knife I would be looking over my shoulder for Grandpa to kick me in the Butt.:D
 
Some pics of my big chopper with O1 differential HT'd blade. It ain't pretty but it works.
 

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I'd go for 01. 01 was designed for edged tools.
 
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