Alternative to VG-10 steel for horticulture?

[Ankerson]

Interesting that VG10 and 154CM are so comperable. I would have thought 154CM was a more robust steel all around. Thanks for doing the legwork and sharing that, it's fun learning about this stuff. :thumbup:

In real world usage there are steels that are a lot closer than people might think they are and they are in fact so close that if the blades weren't marked I would say over 90% of people couldn't tell the difference between them.

Removing variables and testing can separate them somewhat depending on the variables and testing methods, media cut etc.

 

[nozh2002]

Interesting that VG10 and 154CM are so comperable. I would have thought 154CM was a more robust steel all around. Thanks for doing the legwork and sharing that, it's fun learning about this stuff. :thumbup:

Keep in mind that this chart is not quite edge retention but count of visual defects on the edge under some magnification. It is bit different then edge retention because does not detect fine wear of very edge.

Elmax seems to be cheap, but if you are not looking into producing knives for other with good margin, but care about performance for yourself, then unlike manufacturers you may choose much better performers then entry level PM steels like Elmax or CPM S30V. I think closest to VG10 or better would be CPM154 (which is different then 154CM)

But best for your task would be simple carbon like 1095 or 52100 if your knife maker know how to do heat treatment at ABS level.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[knarfeng]

In real world usage there are steels that are a lot closer than people might think they are and they are in fact so close that if the blades weren't marked I would say over 90% of people couldn't tell the difference between them.

Removing variables and testing can separate them somewhat depending on the variables and testing methods, media cut etc.

I completely agree, Jim.