Are you ok with ''basic'' knives\steel ?

upnorth

upnorth

Joined
Nov 25, 2006
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Like most of us I have far more cutting tools than any one person really needs. And I recently sold a few off. I was going to grab a SYKCO Safety Mutt, then it became clearer to me that all I was doing was chasing the dragon. I already had my working ''core'' knives with an ESEE 4, 6 and a couple of Izula's. Really, for myself those are perfectly fine outdoor user knives. No fancy latest greatest steel, just honest working blades. I suppose that it is easier for me to settle around this core group because my primary interest is in outdoor knife use, as opposed to collecting or aesthetics. I'm long past arrogantly looking down my nose however at collectors, and pictures of knives without a scratch or speck of dust on them. Hey, to each their own, and rock on. I have a lot of folders and I'm sure that I will get more, simply because it's fun to get a new toy now and then. But something in me became satisfied when I had my ''core'' epiphany. Maybe I should just focus on using these knives, and or getting upgraded sheaths for them, as opposed to constantly seeking new steel. I just squared off the spines on the 4 and 6, so it's time for them to continue earning their keep.
 
It sounds like your use and requirements are similar to mine. I'm mostly"into"knives for outdoor use. And recently I've been struggling with the fact that it seems a $12 Mora coupled with a folding saw and some bigger blade/hatchet/axe/machete object would take care of my knife "needs" more or less forever.

So part of me it's like"what's the point" of buying other knives, while another party of me likes trying different things as I search for what suits my needs best.

But if someone told me right now I could never buy a new knife, or that of I did it would have to be out of 1095, I think id be just fine.
 
ocnLogan said:
It sounds like your use and requirements are similar to mine. I'm mostly"into"knives for outdoor use. And recently I've been struggling with the fact that it seems a $12 Mora coupled with a folding saw and some bigger blade/hatchet/axe/machete object would take care of my knife "needs" more or less forever.

So part of me it's like"what's the point" of buying other knives, while another party of me likes trying different things as I search for what suits my needs best.

But if someone told me right now I could never buy a new knife, or that of I did it would have to be out of 1095, I think id be just fine.
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I think that we are exactly on the same page buddy. I am taking some additional post secondary classes, so more of my disposable income is eaten up. If I had stacks of cash laying around maybe my core group would be Busse or some such......Or not......... But I think that you nailed it with the Mora example. Maybe it is easier for us that run more toward the utilitarian in our blade choices.
 
Really though. A $12 mora, a $10 Tram, and a $15 Corona Saw... Someone could do just about anything with that combo in the woods. You could possibly switch out the Tram for some sort of Hatchet/small forest/boys axe/hawk depending on your experience/area of the world/country, and I think you could still keep the total budget under $100.

And even though I like my more expensive knives, its hard for me to justify it after having such a good experience with my Mora. Thats likely why I haven't bought a new blade in two years now.

That said, I'm glad I've learned what I have about steels, sharpening, grinds, and the different patterns/designs of knives, as it is all very useful and interesting to me. Also, the skills I've learned here have been valuable, so I'm happy about it :).

And good luck with the classes, school almost killed me (60-90 hr weeks were the norm for my masters), so lets hope it treats you better than it did me :). I do need to update my blurb though, as I recently graduated.
 
I'm a guy whose Large Sebenza CGI has lingered in a drawer for a couple of years and you're on the right track. Some of my most carried knives are 420 and 440's steels---most of them fixed, urban EDC's primarily. I never give a thought to it. Never had a problem with them. They're sharp, fun to sharpen because they are so responsive to a stone, they work and I like them as much as any of my other knives.

From there my collection jumps to AUS-8 and up. Yes, I own some of the "finer" steels. Have I ever been 'saved' or found something extraordinarily epiphanic about them? No.

If you live in an area prone to corrosion or your sweat rusts your bed, you might then consider a special steel. Another circumstance might be that you intend to do heavy prying or drive it into a pecan tree as a step to your stand.

Steel can easily become a head thing. Worst thing is, you don't even know it when it does. :) Find a knife you like, research it a little, buy it and use it. If indeed you find you NEED one of the fancier steels you can take it from there.

Actually? Not giving a damn about what steel a knife I really like is has made the hobby much more pleasurable I'm sure.
 
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I can do just fine with the Thermite (8Cr13MoV) in my pocket, or my Blur (14C28N) back home, or the Vantage (420HC) in my car.

I don't need the latest and greatest super steel. I'm on a budget lately and have less and less available each month to play the knife game. If I see something that catches my eye and I can afford it, you can bet I'll pick it up and put it to good use.
 
ocnLogan said:
Really though. A $12 mora, a $10 Tram, and a $15 Corona Saw... Someone could do just about anything with that combo in the woods. You could possibly switch out the Tram for some sort of Hatchet/small forest/boys axe/hawk depending on your experience/area of the world/country, and I think you could still keep the total budget under $100.
QUOTE]

It's kind of ironic when this hits a guy. I know that I had the same epiphany. ;) But It is still fun at times to dig into my box o' blades and pull out say...a Condor Hudson Bay. It lets me indulge in some of my silly fur trade fantasies\romanticism. :D
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EChoil said:
I'm a guy whose Large Sebenza CGI has lingered in a drawer for a couple of years and you're on the right track. Some of my most carried knives are 420 and 440's steels---most of them fixed, urban EDC's primarily. I never give a thought to it. Never had a problem with them. They're sharp, fun to sharpen because they are so responsive to a stone, they work and I like them as much as any of my other knives.

From there my collection jumps to AUS-8 and up. Yes, I own some of the "finer" steels. Have I ever been 'saved' or found something extraordinarily epiphanic about them? No.

If you live in an area prone to corrosion or your sweat rusts your bed, you might then consider a special steel. Another circumstance might be that you intend to do heavy prying or drive it into a pecan tree as a step to your stand.

Steel can easily become a head thing. Worst thing is, you don't even know it when it does. :) Find a knife you like, research it a little, buy it and use it. If indeed you find you NEED one of the fancier steels you can take it from there.

Actually? Not giving a damn about what steel a knife I really like is has made the hobby much more pleasurable I'm sure.
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:thumbup:
 
I had a similar epiphany about a year ago now. Sold just about all of my collection with the exception of 4 fixed blades, 5 large, modern folders and some 7-8 slipjoints (not including sentimental knives) And to be totally honest I really haven't had much of a desire to get anything else. Most if not all are some form of carbon steel or basic stainless. The only exception being a small M2 necker I need to redesign and The contego I just sold.

you know I never really thought about it, but only knife knuts could call ~20 knives as the "basics"
 
grownstar said:
I'm on a budget lately and have less and less available each month to play the knife game. QUOTE]

Sometimes it does feel like a game to me. I find myself lusting, buying, using once or twice, then tossing into a box. Someone once posted that they are going to focus on using what they have, and not lusting over the next shinny object. That made sense to me on many levels. As I said, if someone has the extra dough and desire to buy thousand dollar knives, good for you buddy, and have fun. That's not my world and I am lucky enough to have accumulated what I consider some decent outdoor tools. So I will focus on using and appreciating what I have. For example some likely see my old Ka Bar Mule as a cheap boat anchor. But I have always liked it, and it performs the tasks that I bought it for.
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EChoil said:
If you live in an area prone to corrosion or your sweat rusts your bed, you might then consider a special steel. Another circumstance might be that you intend to do heavy prying or drive it into a pecan tree as a step to your stand.
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brets-ftw said:
I had a similar epiphany about a year ago now. Sold just about all of my collection with the exception of 4 fixed blades, 5 large, modern folders and some 7-8 slipjoints (not including sentimental knives) And to be totally honest I really haven't had much of a desire to get anything else. Most if not all are some form of carbon steel or basic stainless. The only exception being a small M2 necker I need to redesign and The contego I just sold.

you know I never really thought about it, but only knife knuts could call ~20 knives as the "basics"
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I think you have hit the nail on the head. For me it really comes down to the use cases. I'm fine with having a knife for each "real" use that I can think of. For instance, I really only have one folding knife that I consider my EDC. Its made of 440C, and I recently started noticing that its getting some surface rust by the pivot area (moved to coastal CA, and I'm a bit sweaty). I also learned recently that 440c is of course stainless, but its "less" stainless than some other stainless steels. So I might consider now getting something to replace it eventually. A RAT 2 is my top choice right now, as it seems amazing for the price. But I might have to look at the Spyderco Salt series if if gets bad, just because of where I live right now.

But yeah, I have ~15 knives, and I feel fine with that, because almost all of them are for different purposes. And I don't have anything fancier than 1095 or 440c in the lot.

Sometimes I do find myself wanting to try something "fancier" though, but mostly I think because I've never handled or used anything higher end, so I'm not quite sure what I'm missing yet :p.
 
I'm perfectly fine with Bucks 420HC. Nothing fancy there but I don't need it to be fancy just to cut and stay sharp and that's what it does. I've gone a while now without sharpening it and it doesn't seem to wanna get dull.
 
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upnorth said:
So I will focus on using and appreciating what I have. For example some likely see my old Ka Bar Mule as a cheap boat anchor. But I have always liked it, and it performs the tasks that I bought it for.
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Now you're getting it! It's not about the latest and greatest, it's about finding what works for you and enjoying the hell out of it.
 
Softer steel for the woods, harder steel for the urban environment. To myself, finding the perfect blend of edge retention versus durability and ease of sharpening is the best part of buying/owning knives. I like trying out "premium" steels, but I truly enjoy good old 10- series carbon, L6, AUS8, 154CM, VG-10, 440C etc.

I think of it like this: There is a reason that Jeff and Mike use 1095 and AUS8 in the ESEE designs, and it isnt cost. That is because they go out into the real world, into the real woods, and realize that you would have a hard time sharpening a premium steel on a Wicked Edge or Edge Pro out in the boonies. They choose working steels that are *just* malleable enough to not be a chore to sharpen, and so do I, based on my own experience.
 
I have a couple of relatively expensive knives but when I leave the house it's with a Victorinox in my pocket 95% of the time.

When I hit the woods it's with a $20 Mora around my neck.

My knives see little "hard" use. I use them as cutting instruments only and these two knives have always done everything I asked them to, plus they both sharpen up quickly on an Arkansas stone and a leather strop.

I'd rather spend 2mins touching up my blade each time I return home than spending an hour grinding away on a supers steel a few times a year.
 
All of my knives are made out of either basic carbon steels, aus 8a, Chinese 420 hc equivalent (5cr15mov on one knife) or 8cr13mov. I've considered spending extra and getting one made out of "super steel" just to see what all the fuss is about but I can't justify it. The above mentioned steels will hold a razor sharp edge for about one to two weeks under normal use, even when things like cardboard is involved, before breaking down into a utility edge that's still serviceable. At that point all it takes is a few minutes on an 8000 grit stone and some stropping and its back to razor sharp.

Whatever kershaw does with its 8cr13mov seems to be better holding then aus 8. One of my edc rotations has only needed resharpening twice in a year, and that's been used on everything from foam, pencils, cardboard and even aluminum and copper electrical wires.
 
I'm fine with basic knife steels. I'm not fine with crap steels. I have a built in line I won't cross.... 440A is on one side of it, 440C is on the other.
 
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Sitting here at the computer with a Douk-Douk in my pocket. Sitting on my desk is an Opinel in carbon steel and an old Shrade Sharpfinger.

Yea I'm ok with basic knives/steel.
 
I am.....while I try super steels, I find carbon steels used in Opinal and Case, stainless like AUS-8 and other carbon steels like 10XX series to be great EDC steels. I do like ZDP-189...but I do not need it.

When I read that someone talks about micro chipping in a certain steel and that they need another type because they only cut cardboard, I throw up a little in my mouth.
 
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