8Cr14 Steel??

dutch_0311

dutch_0311

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Does anyone have any feedback on 8Cr14 steel (58-59 HRC)? If so, what can it be compared to?

I have my eye on the new CRKT M21-G10 but I am not sure about the quality of the steel.
 
Similar to ASTM 403. It's martensitic but very low carbon - .08 Carbon, 14 Chromium. Can't be much for edge holding !
 
I have to wonder if they have the callout correct. 8Cr14 is not listed on the CRKT steel facts page. My experience has been that the copy writers who write about the knives don't always get all the details correct. I have found several errors in some of the knife maker's web sites.

At the risk of disagreeing with mete, (always dangerous) I will guess that the callout is listed incorrectly and that this is actually supposed to indicate 0.8%C and 14% Chromium, and that it is a Chinese alloy similar in composition to AUS8. It may be the same alloy that Benchmade uses in the Vex (8Cr14MoV).

But that is only a guess. I would email CRKT and ask them to clarify exactly what alloy they are trying to tell us they are using. info@crkt.com
 
Yes Knarfeng. I Googled the alloy and found the composition on a Czech website. Didn't make much sense to make a blade from it.I'm not sure 8Cr14MoV is correct either but then if it's Chinese almost anything can happen , we've been down this road before ! If it's equivalent to AUS-8 then it's a good blade steel ,more appropriate to CRKT.
 
I called CRKT and was told that 8CR14 was more compairable to AUS 4 than anyother steel that they had. They said it was alot softer than AUS 8. In my opinion anything less than AUS 8 aint worth havin.:barf::barf::barf:
 
I received this email reply from CRKT:

Thank you for your response. The 8Cr14 is comparable to AUS 8 (HRC-58-59), it is harder than AUS 4.


I hope this helps!


Sincerely,

Columbia River Knife & Tool

800-891-3100
 
With respect, don't knock $35 knives. I just got a Kershaw Skyline, this knife is of unbelievable quality. Cuts and cuts, smooth, great handle, all good. SO are the Byrds I own. Only CRKT seems to be catering to the lowest common denominator they can get away with. It's a shame, I recall with fondness some of their older ATS-34 knives, all good cutters.
 
diamdave said:
With respect, don't knock $35 knives. I just got a Kershaw Skyline, this knife is of unbelievable quality. Cuts and cuts, smooth, great handle, all good. SO are the Byrds I own. Only CRKT seems to be catering to the lowest common denominator they can get away with. It's a shame, I recall with fondness some of their older ATS-34 knives, all good cutters.
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You can, of course, make your own choices but, in my book most of the knives in this price range are not sturdy enough and are low performance. I don't mind paying more for a hard use knife, especially one that may get me out of a jam in the wilderness when it may be all I have. One exception to that rule is Swiss Army Knives, I really like their utility and seldom go anywhere without one. I have broken several knives and my Son's have broken a Kershaw and a CRKT so I won't go there any more. In production knives about all I will use any more is Reeve, Microtech and Strider. I obviously have not tried all there is out there but few production folders can compare to these three in my experience. YMMV.
 
vjb.knife said:
You can, of course, make your own choices but, in my book most of the knives in this price range are not sturdy enough and are low performance. I don't mind paying more for a hard use knife, especially one that may get me out of a jam in the wilderness when it may be all I have. One exception to that rule is Swiss Army Knives, I really like their utility and seldom go anywhere without one. I have broken several knives and my Son's have broken a Kershaw and a CRKT so I won't go there any more. In production knives about all I will use any more is Reeve, Microtech and Strider. I obviously have not tried all there is out there but few production folders can compare to these three in my experience. YMMV.
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My mileage has varied considerably from yours. I have several knives that I have bought in that price range that are NOT low performance items.

Byrd Flight - Steel handled
KaBar Large Dozier
Benchmade Monochrome

All were less than $35. All are decently made and hold an edge reasonably well, the Monochrome holds an edge QUITE well. None of the will work well as a pry bar. All work well as knives.

=========================
The CRKT response sounds reasonable to me. There are several Chinese alloys in the AUS8 performance range.
 
CRKT tried to sell slightly higher end USA made Wild Weasle & Voodo folders but they were discontinued. They are known for high quality afforable knives.

I received an email from CRKT stating that the M21 G10 versions are going to be available in a few weeks.

How does the aluminum handle AUS 8 version cut? Does that version hold an edge?
 
knarfeng said:
My mileage has varied considerably from yours. I have several knives that I have bought in that price range that are NOT low performance items.

Byrd Flight - Steel handled
KaBar Large Dozier
Benchmade Monochrome

All were less than $35. All are decently made and hold an edge reasonably well, the Monochrome holds an edge QUITE well. None of the will work well as a pry bar. All work well as knives.

=========================
The CRKT response sounds reasonable to me. There are several Chinese alloys in the AUS8 performance range.
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I guess it just depends on where you take them, what you need to do with them and how important their reliability and function is to you in your particular situation. I have a few that will work well as a pry bar but all of them excell as knives. I don't want to be caught in the wilderness with a broken knife or one that dulls easily or one that can't do everything from skin out an animal to cut rope and tree limbs to make a tent peg and open a tin can without any problem. I have a lot of knives, collected over thirty years or so, with some older ones in the lower end and I will admit there are a couple that I like but not many.
 
vjb.knife said:
I guess it just depends on where you take them, what you need to do with them and how important their reliability and function is to you in your particular situation. I have a few that will work well as a pry bar but all of them excell as knives. I don't want to be caught in the wilderness with a broken knife or one that dulls easily or one that can't do everything from skin out an animal to cut rope and tree limbs to make a tent peg and open a tin can without any problem. I have a lot of knives, collected over thirty years or so, with some older ones in the lower end and I will admit there are a couple that I like but not many.
Click to expand...

You are right about that. There are many knives that sell for $35 that are unreliable and do not hold an edge well. You have to choose carefully, but there are good knives out there in that price range.
 
Ah! A necroed CRKT thread.

I've had half a dozen CRKT knives over the last ten years. My Lightfoot M1 was worth every penny: sharp, comfortable, solid lockup. Needed a touch up after a full day of cutting 1/16" plastic, but a few passes over a medium stone brought back an edge that would nearly shave hair. Sharp enough for me.

I sold my Ichi; not my thing, but very sharp, and pointy. Likewise, my Neck Tighe, and the Hammond Cruiser.

The only one I had problems with was my Zytel M-16. It would not get sharp, and I never knew why.

The only things I could think of were that the batch of steel wasn't done right, or the heat treat was wrong. I guess I could have had one of those AUS4 blades.

I haven't bought a CRKT for years now, because my tastes have changed, but their knives continue to be a good choice for the aspiring user and collector who realizes that there are better things out there, but isn't quite ready to push through the hundred dollar barrier yet.
 
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