1095 Carbon - The Worst Steel

I love the destruction tests. They give me a very real point that a guy can expect a piece of steel to be stressed to, and survive. Of course all of us would not take our tools to those extreams. but to me there fun. I really like the test with the cold steel machette. He could not really break the thing, and was really beating the crap out of it. Needless to say I have one of those. Some are really dumb, like giving a folder a side shot with a sledge hammer, but others a very telling. The average guy out there thinks that steel is a super tuff thing. As we can see, not so!!!
 
Ankerson said:
Nothing really wrong with 1095, it's an OK general use steel that's not expensive, special, impressive or anything like that, it keeps costs down for the makers so they can choose to pass that savings onto the customers or a percentage of it or not.

Other than that there really isn't much to say about it other than if one wants a cheap knife they can be had in 1095, or a lawnmower blade for that matter.

There are other options to make knives out of however.

Personally 1095 doesn't do anything for me, just doesn't trip my trigger or get my attention, I lose interest really fast in a knife when it's in 1095, I start yawning.....
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I've seen a lot of your blade testing, so I can totally understand the boredom factor considering you've had your hands on so many steels.

I have a completely opposite opinion of 1095 though.

What I really love about it is that I know exactly what I'm going to get.


For example, I've gotten D2 from several makers, and it's been different each time. That also goes for 154CM and S30V. They've been in the same ballpark for each steel type, but every time it feels like I'm re-learning how to sharpen and care for the knife. With 1095, it's so easy to heat treat, and so reliable, that it's pretty much always the same no matter where I get it.

Additionally, it may not be the most durable steel, but it's so darn easy to get shaving sharp, it's ridiculous. I've put a shaving sharp edge on 1095 using a concrete curb while sitting in a parking lot waiting for a coworker. With my D2, I have to break out all of the fancy diamond bonded stones, get my angles perfect, etc. On top of that, if I don't give the edge just the right amount of toothiness, it either doesn't cut for beans, or wears too quickly.



Another reason I really like it, is tradition. 1095 patinas beautifullly, and in some ways I feel it's almost a requirement, such as the classic chef's knife, traditional folders, and some hunting knives.
 
lman30 said:
I've seen a lot of your blade testing, so I can totally understand the boredom factor considering you've had your hands on so many steels.

I have a completely opposite opinion of 1095 though.

What I really love about it is that I know exactly what I'm going to get.


For example, I've gotten D2 from several makers, and it's been different each time. That also goes for 154CM and S30V. They've been in the same ballpark for each steel type, but every time it feels like I'm re-learning how to sharpen and care for the knife. With 1095, it's so easy to heat treat, and so reliable, that it's pretty much always the same no matter where I get it.

Additionally, it may not be the most durable steel, but it's so darn easy to get shaving sharp, it's ridiculous. I've put a shaving sharp edge on 1095 using a concrete curb while sitting in a parking lot waiting for a coworker. With my D2, I have to break out all of the fancy diamond bonded stones, get my angles perfect, etc. On top of that, if I don't give the edge just the right amount of toothiness, it either doesn't cut for beans, or wears too quickly.



Another reason I really like it, is tradition. 1095 patinas beautifullly, and in some ways I feel it's almost a requirement, such as the classic chef's knife, traditional folders, and some hunting knives.
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I used 1095 and others like 1080 for years in a lot of different knives, but most of that was when there wasn't a lot of other options avaible. :)
 
If you're just a rookie knife maker who is looking to make a few knives as a proof of concept, then 1095 has some advantages. I do a lot of drawing, but not a lot of metalworking, because I want to be sure I get it "right". When I do go to the grinder, 1095 and O-1 are easy to find, easy to work with, and, yes, easy to sharpen. I'm looking for what works, and it works for me.
 
voidaq said:
Noss, smack them stupid heads together a couple times more!

And thanks for taking the time for testing and filming it all for the rest of us who are intrested in learning that king of stuff.
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+1 I can't believe this conversation is even happening,noss thanks for all your efforts!
 
averageiowaguy said:
Putting aside the argument about steels (I know nothing except what works), Noss's videos always make me bust a chuckle. They feature a guy dressed up like an executioner in a horrendous looking basement. It puts the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it is told. For some reason I find myself identifying with the knife. When he turns around and you see the 2X4 in a vice, its really creepy. Like 'oh god what is he going to do to that poor knife?' LOL.
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Hilarious.

I actually seem to be in the minority in finding SOME use to the destruction tests Noss does but yes from this perspective it is like watching a woman-in-danger movie. You want to shout "Run knife, RUN! Get out of that basement!"
 
linux_author said:
to me it appeared to serve as a lesson on the dangers of meth addiction
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Not sure of the meaning of that remark, but asupernothing isn't sure what the Dan Keffeler CPM 3v destruction test is about - I'm guessing. To me it's kinda dumb, beacuse the knife is about an inch thick and has an edge, point and hande scales on it. I don't know if the CPM 3v blade steel even mattered, as compared to the same knife in say 1095. A sharpened steel ingot is d*mned hard to break. :p :D
 
RevDevil said:
When you purposely destroy every single tool you touch and say that it's junk, your credibility becomes questionable in a hurry.
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That's not true at all: he hasn't broken his hammer or vice yet. :)

Personally I find the latter third of his orgies of destruction entertaining. I could care less to watch the apple peeling and webbing cutting, but I do like watching when he breaks out the hammer. Hey, everybody has some sort of guilty pleasure they aren't particularly proud of!
 
It gives a good idea of what my knife can take. Just waiting on a swamp rat test. I love to see how far a knife can bend before taking a set, or breaking, or what it can cut through without failing. You never know what you'll need your knife for when your out on a hunting trip.
 
rodriguez7 said:
It gives a good idea of what my knife can take. Just waiting on a swamp rat test. I love to see how far a knife can bend before taking a set, or breaking, or what it can cut through without failing. You never know what you'll need your knife for when your out on a hunting trip.
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Swamp Rats are SR-101 (52100) not 1095.
 
Car crash tests are so stupid! What a waste of a perfectly good car. What's the point? Cars aren't meant for driving into brick walls, it's obvious that they will break! You can destroy any car that way, no matter how good it is! I will certainly never crash my car, and so won't anyone with half a brain.
 
penetrator said:
Car crash tests are so stupid! What a waste of a perfectly good car. What's the point? Cars aren't meant for driving into brick walls, it's obvious that they will break! You can destroy any car that way, no matter how good it is! I will certainly never crash my car, and so won't anyone with half a brain.
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I don't think knives are made to be beaten on with a hammer by some fat, borderline retarded guy wearing a hockey mask.
 
My favorite 1911 gun writer calls the intranet as right as it can be said, the misinformation highway! My second favorite steel right behind behind CPM D2 is good old faithful 1095. It just flat works!
 
Quote: "You can tell how much stress is being applied by watching? "

Yes, Thomas, I can. I feel alot of stress applied to my brain every time I try to watch his videos. Oh, that's not what you meant, never mind...... :-)
 
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