304 grade

It's a low carbon, stainless steel with good corrosion resistance. Hopefully, it's being used for "parts" and not the blade. :eek:
 
304 is a corrosion resistant grade of stainless steel used commonly for architectural and sanitary applications. It has little carbon so will not harden.
It can be used for bolsters, guards, pins and the like however it is a pain to machine and drill.
 
OMEGA DOOM,

I haven't seen a reference that says specifically what kind of steel is used in the W-49 Western Bowie.

I have a suggestion, you either get ahold of a print catalog or surf through the SMKW ( Smokey Mountain Knife Works ) web site. They have a variety of large knives. Many are similar in style and materials to the one you're looking at. The SMKW knives are imported from other countries, but the cost is < $20 usually.

IMO, you will get a similar quality knife and save a bunch of money.
 
I don't think they make car exhausts from stainless yet. Well, not on any cars I could afford.

They do, however, use 304 for sailboat standing rigging (the wires that hold the mast up). You can get 316, which has better corrosion resistance, but is not quite as strong. It's also more pricey, but if you can make your rig last longer, it's probably worth it. OR you could always go with a junk rig and have unstayed masts, then you don't have to worry about standing rigging at all.

What were we talking about?
 
304 is what you use for restaraunt kitchen sinks, counter tops, and steam table inserts. It is maximally corrosion resistant and easy to stamp into curved shapes. You might conceivably make a crude divers knife out of it. Typically inexpensive steel knives are made out of a 440A or 420-J2 alloy. I would be surprised to find a knife made out of 304 type material.
 
OMEGA DOOM. . .


Relax dude.

You already have a knife in mind (sorta). It would be better if you began a thread asking for help in the hunt for a large fixed blade.

In the thread. . .relay the blade length that you're looking for and knife style (i.e., bowie, etc.). If you're hooked on a type of guard. . .state that in your thread. It would also be helpful if you'd put the maximum price point (amount of $$ that you're willing to spend) and if it needs to be corrosion resistant.

The folks here. . .will generally bend over backwards to help you out in your quest.

In other words. . .they subscribe to ESPN and not ESP. ;)
 
GigOne said:
OMEGA DOOM. . .


Relax dude.

You already have a knife in mind (sorta). It would be better if you began a thread asking for help in the hunt for a large fixed blade.

In the thread. . .relay the blade length that you're looking for and knife style (i.e., bowie, etc.). If you're hooked on a type of guard. . .state that in your thread. It would also be helpful if you'd put the maximum price point (amount of $$ that you're willing to spend) and if it needs to be corrosion resistant.

The folks here. . .will generally bend over backwards to help you out in your quest.

In other words. . .they subscribe to ESPN and not ESP. ;)
Click to expand...

Great advice
 
Hey buddy, relax, no need to be too tense over little things, there are hundreds of thousands of knives out there. One of them is the one you want. Just gotta look for it.
FoxHoleAtheist- being a car nut, after market exahusts such as Borlas use 304 stainless. Some use 409 too
 
300 series steel is used for many dive knives that will primarily be used to pry.

The W49 by Camillus uses 420HC. The problem with the W49, as far as use in salt water is concerned, is the handle, not the steel. I am not sure how the rosewood is laminated, but I am pretty sure that it is going to need maintenance to keep from being destroyed by the salt water. The 420HC will hold up well with just the basic maintenance of being washed and dried off very soon after being taken out of the salt water. The rosewood is another thing altogether.
 
Here's a knife made for underwater operations, even if it is a real good carbon steel (coated for corrosion control) -- the Cold steel UWK. Here's the Cold Steel OSS, similar, but larger. And the Cold Steel ODA. All of these have been upgraded from 420 stainless to Carbon V, Cold Steel's best steel, period -- although their AUS 8A would be OK, too

I linked to their website, but you can probably get better prices from One Stop Knife Shop, instead of shuffling around with dealers no one can vouch for.

Cold Steel is not top-of-the-line, but these blg blades are reliable. You could find better for a lot more money :D
 
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