52100 edge retention

shinyedges

shinyedges

Unfaltering Love & Undeviating Will
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Jun 5, 2012
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Looking for some info on the edge retention of 52100 at 58 to 59rc.. From what I gather a higher RC would give better edge retention but give up some toughness.. so what kind of edge retention should 52100 have at 58 to 59 RC(example..on par with 1095? Or s30v?) I'd like to take the edge to 15 to 20 DPS. How will 52100 handle this edge at the given hardness for wood cutting?
 
I run mine at 61rc. I've hammered through copper pipe repeatedly and it will still slice phone book paper clean. That's the max rc I will take it to.
 
How do you think the blade would do at the same test but at 58 to 59 rc?
Jastab said:
I run mine at 61rc. I've hammered through copper pipe repeatedly and it will still slice phone book paper clean. That's the max rc I will take it to.
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Interesting, never had a knife in silver steel either.
 
Bump. There's got to be more people who have experience with 52100..
 
You can ask some of the makers on here how they like it. GL drew usually makes many style using it, good things to say about it. Drop one of the makers a PM.
 
Jastab said:
I run mine at 61rc. I've hammered through copper pipe repeatedly and it will still slice phone book paper clean. That's the max rc I will take it to.
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shinyedges said:
How do you think the blade would do at the same test but at 58 to 59 rc?
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The blade will be even tougher at the lower Rc value.

52100 is very tough while still offering good edge retention.




Big Mike
 
good idea ill do that. thanks
cbach8tw said:
You can ask some of the makers on here how they like it. GL drew usually makes many style using it, good things to say about it. Drop one of the makers a PM.
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I'm not a knife maker but I do have several Marble knives made in 52100. I love the way they perform on field dressing game and camp use. Good stuff
 
Good to know, thank you
wackafew said:
I'm not a knife maker but I do have several Marble knives made in 52100. I love the way they perform on field dressing game and camp use. Good stuff
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I have a knife by Waterstoneblades on the forum here in 52100; I love it and edge retention seems quite good. I believe it is 59hrc @ 15 dps @ 400 grit finish. It has a 7" X 1 1/2" tall blade for reference. Both pics were clean through in one blow... :thumbup:

Pics from last night's hike doing some trail clearing:

15616101625_9796bbc8a4_c.jpg


15592426436_e07a99bcff_c.jpg



She cuts! :thumbup::eek::D:cool:
 
^ nice the edge almost looks convexed but my phone doesn't have the best resolution. I like convexed edges on my knives.
Do you sharpen to a hair shaving or popping edge ? Or just bring back a working edge? I tend to bring my edges to at least shaving sharp, how does it compare to your other blades in similar size and geometry in edge retention?
 
52100 is wonderful stuff! It has high toughness and good edge retention all across the normal range of hardnesses we expect from knife blades... since it has such a nice internal structure, I see no reason not to run it on the harder side (60Rc or perhaps even higher) to get the most wear-resistance while still having a good tough blade. Its fine grain helps it get very crisp, sharp edges pretty easily. It works really well in everything from custom straight razors to thin, small knives designed for delicate work to chef's knives to big ol' choppers meant for rough use.

Top-notch HT is naturally a must to get the most out of it, but that's not as tricky or "magical" as some people would have you think. Corrosion-resistance is low, but so what? Keep it clean and dry, perhaps with a bit of oil on the blade, and it will outlast all of us. :thumbup:
 
Thanks James your opinion is valued.
james terrio said:
52100 is wonderful stuff! It has high toughness and good edge retention all across the normal range of hardnesses we expect from knife blades... since it has such a nice internal structure, I see no reason not to run it on the harder side (60Rc or perhaps even higher) to get the most wear-resistance while still having a good tough blade. Its fine grain helps it get very crisp, sharp edges pretty easily. It works really well in everything from custom straight razors to thin, small knives designed for delicate work to chef's knives to big ol' choppers meant for rough use.

Top-notch HT is naturally a must to get the most out of it, but that's not as tricky or "magical" as some people would have you think. Corrosion-resistance is low, but so what? Keep it clean and dry, perhaps with a bit of oil on the blade, and it will outlast all of us. :thumbup:
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Thanks, my nighttime cell phone photography skills aren't the best... :foot:;):D

It's a flat ground, v -edged blade out of .220" thick 52100. I've only been touching it up with a ceramic rod until it drags across my finger tips (perpendicular) to the edge. SO, probably working edge, maybe shaving but haven't tried that LOL! It cuts like a bastid though. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I have knives in this size range in H1, S7, Infi, Sr101 (mod 52100), 3V, 1084, and 1095; this one might just be my favorite based on design and overall size as it has MUCH better edge geometry. Edge retention is better than I expected. :thumbup:
 
Big Mike said:
The blade will be even tougher at the lower Rc value.

52100 is very tough while still offering good edge retention.




Big Mike
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I have had zero edge damage, slight rolling when REALLY THUMP ON. I like the higher hardness that James terro recommended to me when I first started making.
 
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