AST-34 steel

B

backpacker

Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Messages
201
I would like to purchase a folding knife for backpaking & hunting. I understand that AST-34 blades are very good. I have noticed that the prices on these knives can vary drastically. Is all AST-34 steel created equal, or do different manufacturers produce better quality AST-34 blades.
 
Welcome to the forums. ATS-34 is ATS-34 is ATS-34 until you shape, harden and grind it. The heat treat and grind have much to do with the usability of the blade.

After the blade, comes the rest of the knife. What do you want to spend? Is weight important to you (based on your handle and question, I would assume so.) What will you use the knife for, field dressing game, skinning, food prep, sharpened pry bar? These considerations will affect whether or not a knife is good FOR YOU.

Depending on the intended use, because the styles are so different, you may want to check out the Buck Strider or Spyderco Tim Wegner.

BTW: Why ATS-34? I dont say that to challenge your choice, just want to know.

[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 10-02-2000).]
 
Yes, ATS-34 blades can be very good. The price of knives depends on a large number of factors (thickness, grinds, size, shape, handle materials, manufacturing costs, BS, etc.). The type of steel used can be a factor in the cost of the knife, but companies using ATS34 are paying about the same for a sheet of steel.

The working properties of any blade steel are determined by the processes of normalizing, annealing, hardening, and tempering. Most high carbon steels can be heat-treated in such a way that it will perform very well as a cutting implement, OR, very poorly. Some companies do a much better job than others with their choice of blade materials, design, grinds, and heat-treatments.

ATS34 is a very good blade steel. There are others that may be even better (eg. 420V, 440V, and low chromium steels like 52100, and 5160). There are a lot of different blade steels. ATS34 is one of the good ones. There is No Best steel. Of course, there are some poor blade steels (420J comes to mind).

I would suggest looking very hard at the knives from Spyderco. I'm sure you would be very pleased with something like the Spyderco Wegner folder in ATS34.

Paracelsus, confusing the issue


For more steel and knife information, look at the articles linked here.
 
Nimrod & Paracelsus,

Thank you for your input. I am a knife user not a collector and I am confused by all the different steels being used in blades. To cut to the chase, I will use the knife for skinning deer and general camp work. Do you have any specific recommendations for a 3-4" folding knife under $120. What steel will hold an edge longest and can be sharpened in the field.
 
A Spyderco Wegner or Terzoula collaboration might not be a bad choice in this application. Both of these knives have blades that lend themselves fairly well to field dressing deer sized game. Fixed blades sure are stronger and clean up a whole lot easier, but if you have to have a folder....

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
Ditto on Bronco's suggestions. If you want a fixed blade, while looking at Spyderco's stuff check out the Bill Moran fixed blade. It isn't ATS-34 but from what I hear it is great stuff. It should be a little better for harder camp-type uses too. But if you want a folder, the Wegner knife is a great skinner (so I hear).

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"Come What May..."
 
Spyderco has many models in a wide price range that will fit your needs. Look them over, I'm sure you will find what you are looking for.

Paul
 
Backpacker, for your intended uses I carry a small four inch fixed blade knife. Good choices in factory fixed blade knives would be one of the smaller Fallkniven (H1, F1) knives in VG10 steel (stain resistant) or Marbles small hunters in 52100 (my favorite steel, but it is Not stain resistant). Spyderco's only fixed blade, the Moran, would be a wonderful knife for your needs. You can look at all of these at Spyderco knives at Knifecenter. All of these knives are less than $100.

If you really Must have a folder, the Spyderco Tim Wegner model is only $95 and everyone in this thread has recommended it. Another knife to consider, especially if you are a traditional sort, is one of the new Buck 110 custom models. You can get that knife in a variety of blade steels and handle materials. I would strongly recommend BG-42, a very very good blade steel.

Sorry to have confused you more about blade steels. Too much is made of the differences between them. The most important thing is to decide whether you need a 'stainless' steel or not. Some of the new stainless steels like 420V are so wear resistant that you would be Very unlikely to need to sharpen in the field.

Get the Wegner in plain edge. You won't be sorry. Come back and hang out here at BFC some more. We will make a knife knut out of you before you know it
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Paracelsus
 
Thanks paracelsus, maybe you will make a knife knut out of me.

I have heard that carbon steel holds an edge longer than any stainless steel and is easier to sharpen. What do you think about Cold Steel's carbon 5 steel blades (master hunter knife)? Are there any stainless knives that will perform as well?
 
Thanks Paracelsus, maybe you will make a knife knut out of me.

I have heard that carbon steel retains an edge longer and is easier to sharpen. What do you think of Cold Steel's master hunter in carbon 5 steel? Does stainless steel perform as well?
 
Not to discount the Cold Steel products, which are a good value IMHO, but if you're warming up to the possibility of carrying a fixed blade, I would take a hard look at the Marbles line mentioned by Paracelsus. As steels go, 52100 is just about unbeatable in the price range you're talking (or just about unbeatable, period
smile.gif
). It does require a little bit of basic care and maintenance, but the performance is well worth the added effort.

------------------
Semper Fi

-Bill
 
IF you are willing to pay a little extra and consider a fixed blade, I would recommend Bob Dozier's line of small hunting/utility knives. His blades are ground from D2 (a chromium steel but not stainless) and costs in the region of $130-$160. A real bargain for a handmade tool by a master which should cut with the best of them. AG Russell stocks the different models available. Try this link: http://www.agrknives.com/dozier/index.html




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"Praise not the day until evening has come;a sword until it is tried; ice until it has been crossed; beer until it has been drunk" - Viking proverb
 
Originally posted by backpacker:
I have heard that carbon steel holds an edge longer than any stainless steel and is easier to sharpen. What do you think about Cold Steel's carbon 5 steel blades (master hunter knife)? Are there any stainless knives that will perform as well?
Click to expand...

I'm a fan of forged fixed blade knives. Since very few folks forge stainless steels, most of my knives are 'carbon' (low chromium) steels. I think they generally take an more acute and longer wearing edge that Is easier to resharpen. However, I am told by makers I trust that the new vanadium stain resistant steels like 440V and 420V are very very good in the edge holding department. They are difficult to resharpen, but you will have to sharpen less frequently.

It really is a personal choice. Cold steel's Carbon V is discussed in the BFC steel faqs section. It is good, but other steels (stainless and carbon) are probably better. For a good economical knife, the Cold Steel master hunter is a popular choice. I think the Fallkniven and Marbles knives are a much better choice for only a few dollars more.

It is NOT true that Any carbon steel (low chromium) will perform better than any stainless steel (more than 12% chromium). All blade steels are a compromise of conflicting properties (hardness, toughness, wear resistance, etc). Some stainless steel blades may be superior to some carbon steel blades. There is no Best steel. This is a frequently discussed topic around here. You can search any of the forums by using the Search function linked at the top of each page.

If your really are interested in a fixed blade, Bob Dozier's knives in D2 would make a very fine choice. D2 is a very good edge holder and is quite stain resistant. You could also get a 'custom' knife from GenO Denning in ATS34 for around $150 that would serve you very well.

Have a look at the fixed blade hunters at KnifeArt and Robertson Custom Cutlery.

Happy choosing!

Paracelsus

My Knives

 
Well now all of you have done it!!!!!!!!

I turned from a knife user to a knife knut, thanks alot!!!

OK, lets here what your favorite fixed blade hunting knives are for under $150. See, my price range has even gone up.

 
You can buy a truly outstanding handmade hunting knife for $150. Get a few back issues of Knives Illustrated magazine or do an Internet search on knives and see what you find.

Or better yet, go on over to the Custom Knives forum, and check out the web sites of a few of the makers you see posting there. Once you are willing to spend $150 on a hunter, there is a really beautiful journey ahead of you finding the perfect one.
 
Backpacker,

Welcome to our nightmare.
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My experience: I loaned a friend my Spyderco Wegner about 18 months ago. He's a hardcore Elk hunter in central British Columbia. I don't think I'm getting it back
smile.gif
. You really can't go wrong with this one for an all around folder.
Have fun shopping for customs too. Great bunch of people here.

Steve
 
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