1075 Hrc 56-58 vs 1095 hrc 56-58 = same performance?

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skypatina

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I have tried to research this on google and search, but it seems there are conflicting answers in regards to the question I have.

I am debating on whether to go for 1095 hrc 56-58 steel knife or 1075 hrc 56-58. If both steels have the same heat treating method, and both steels have the same HRC, Does this translate to the same wear resistance and toughness? Im a bit confused because some people say that 1095 is a bit better with edge retention and 1075 is a bit tougher, but others say that if the temper is the same, then the blades should act the same way. I know a lot of other factors go into toughness and edge retention such as blade geometry, thickness and grind type etc....but minus those factors, what difference is there really between 1075 and 1095 at the same hrc? I am a bit confused.
 
1095 at 57rc would has more iron carbide than 1075 at the same hardness, therefore better wear resistance.

1075 would has better toughness and higher edge stability due to lower carbide though.
 
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Thanks for the quick reply. I kind of thought that but wasnt so sure. I am debating on getting a condor knife vs becker or esee, but am a little scared about the 1075 not holding an edge as well as 1095. They have similar hrc and thats why I asked. I am going to guess that I wouldnt notice the difference...but still. I have a bit of ocd and just knowing that 1095 is probably is a bit better in edge retention would bug me. Pretty stupid right?

edit:added becker comparison
 
You would be hard pressed to find the difference being as significant as you might think.

That being said, go Becker!

Which one(s) are you looking at?
 
1095 will technically be better, but edge geometry and heat treat will be a bigger factor between these two.
 
NJBillK said:
You would be hard pressed to find the difference being as significant as you might think.

That being said, go Becker!

Which one(s) are you looking at?
Click to expand...

I was thinking going condor bushlore/sapien or becker bk14 /bk16.
 
At equal hardness the difference will be indistinguishable. You'd have to do carefully measured testing to quantify any real difference between the two. Basically, it's a moot point.
 
Depending on hand size, planned usage, carry options, the model with which you should go would change. If it were my money and based upon your other options I would go with the 16.
The Condors get a lot of love from those that have purchased them, but they don't seem to be as numerous as the compliments that the 14 receives, and even less so than the 16.

There is a slight difference between 1095 and 1095 crovan:

Based on 1095 steel, with the addition of small amounts of V, Mo, Ni, Cr. Improved wear resistance and toughness compared to 1095. Ka-Bar and Bark river use this steel in their knives. Ka-Bar under 1095 Cro-Van name and Bark River as 50-110B. developed by now defunct Sharon Steel.
(Taken from Knife Steel Compositions)

Edit: I might think that the added toughness would bring it on par or slightly above the 1075, but still tops in wear resistance. But as was stated before, unless you have some Very tight tolerances and a controlled work environment, you shouldn't notice the difference between the stock 1095 and 1075.
That said, if some people swear that they can tell the difference between 1095 and 1095 cro-van. If they can then one should be able to tell the difference between 1095 cro-van and 1075 more so.

I haven't handled a condor product enough to state an opinion, I am just going by what I have seen in general chat and the Becker subforum from those who own both brands.
 
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Go the bk16.

I did a comparison review of the bk17, condor bushlore, and kabar mk1. What I learned from it was that I wanted a bk16.

The condor is good, but I liked the handle shape and blade ground on the Becker much more. The condor I got had a pretty obtuse/flubbed grind, and gave my hand hotspots during extended use, your hands are likely different than mine though :).

Anyway, both are good options, but I'd be grabbing the Becker.

Oh, and 1075 was slightly noticeably worse in edge holding, but nothing drastic (and maybe it was just on my mind, as the differences were slight, its also possible that I got knives from opposite ends of the rc scale). I wouldn't make a decision based on just steel alone.

Good luck making a choice :).
 
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