5160 good for smaller blades?

B

BagofDeadCats

Joined
Apr 20, 2011
Messages
115
Hey guys. (and ladies) Just wondering if anybody has experience with smaller knifes being made with 5160. Pretty new in the knifemaking business and knowing that its good for choppers, how does it handle when its pretty thin? mebbe .180. I want to make one for my wife and I have some extra stock laying around. Should I just talk to to Aldo and get some 1084/1095? Just to clear things up it will stay in her purse, mostly, replacing her Kershaw chive. (Size reference) Thanks for the input.
 
5160 is an excellent steel for any knife, large or small and commonly used.
probably because it is a relatively inexpensive spring steel.
IMHO, best when differentially tempered.
 
Should work fine. For a knife of that size/use, I'd run it as hard as I could, 60+ at least.
 
It is an excellent steel for just about any knife. The toughness is about as good as it gets and the edge holding is great. I like it for my hard use smaller knives.

As far as finding anything under .250" thick that is pretty tough to do but for a fee most suppliers will mill it down to your specs. You could also press some John Deere control shaft steel down to size, it is top quality 5160.

If I had tons of money I'd get a high spec run of 5160 made in different sizes, it would be awesome!
 
Karda said:
5160 is an excellent steel for any knife, large or small and commonly used.
probably because it is a relatively inexpensive spring steel.
IMHO, best when differentially tempered.
Click to expand...

+1 on this.
1084 is also good, but since you already have the 5160, use it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top