52100 vs 1095

[Shotgun]

I'm considering an outdoor knife and the two front runners are of each. So, all else being equal as far as geometry and heat treat, which is stronger when doing things like batoning and prying? Or are they too close to call?

 

[Jason B.]

52100 was originally introduce in hunting blades for improved edge retention over steels like 1095 IIRC. It's toughness I'm not exactly sure on but from personal use I'd say 52100 has a slight edge. With proper blade design and HT I'm sure either would be fine but 52100's advantage will be edge retention.

 

[Shotgun]

Yeah, from what I hear 52100 will have a finer edge and hold it a little longer than 1095 but I've never heard mention of the strength of each.

 

[Jason B.]

I'm a little bias because 52100 is one of my favorite steels, really its hard not to like because it performs so well. It can chip if the edge is thin and you hit something hard like a rock but I've only had that happen once and I was trying to make it happen. Most of the time its nothing more than a small roll or deformation.

I don't think its real shock resistant though, beating it with a wood baton ok, pounding on it with a hammer not so much.

 

[Cold Kill]

I just recently bought myself a Ka-bar in 1095 cro-van, and the edge retention is great. I actually just earlier tonight reprofiled the edge from 20 to 25 degrees, and the steel was so tough that the whole thing took me over 2 hours to do using a diamond sharpening stone kit (coarse/fine). I would personally trust my life to my Ka-bar, and the steel is amazingly tough and strong.

 

[Buffalohump]

52100 is made from ball bearings, it is one tough steel and holds a fantastic edge!