ATS-34 or M2: which is more corrosion resistant?

[jeegeet]

I am "bored" with Gerbers that I used so far as rafting knives. Now Nimvarus Cub got my attention, but I am wondering which steel is better as far as rusting is concerned.

Thanx,
Kris.

 

[JoHnYKwSt]

ATS34 is a stainless steel. M2 is not, so it is coated.

-Johnny

 

[Johan]

The fact that all of BM's M2 knives are coated to prevent rust says it all. They don't even make a non-coated version. Hope this helps.

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.

 

[Sergiusz Mitin]

As was mentioned previously ATS-34 is stainless steel and M-2 isn't. However even stainless ATS-34 has susceptibility to spot appearance if it is frequently in contact with the salt water. This is the main reason why BM Nimravus has BT-2 coated blade.
If your knife is intended to contact salt water - my advice would be:
1. Choose your Nimravus with ATS-34 blade.
2. Don't strip it from BT-2 coating, currently this non-sense work seems to be pretty fashionable.

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Sergiusz Mitin
gunwriter
Lodz, Poland

[This message has been edited by Sergiusz Mitin (edited 04-03-2000).]

 

[jeegeet]

Originally posted by Sergiusz Mitin:
As was mentioned previously ATS-34 is stainless steel and M-2 isn't. However even stainless ATS-34 has susceptibility to spot appearance if it is frequently in contact with the salt water.

Dzieki Sergiusz

Yup, the Salt River that we run here in Arizona (when it does have water that is

)goes through salt banks and the water is a little "salty".

I'd never think of stripping a user knife of coating ...

Kris

 

[db]

Great question really. Common knowledge says that ATS is better at rust resistance. But I am not really sure that is true. And if it is I believe it is not better by very much. Anyone here have a M2 knife rust and an ats that didn't rust under same conditions?

 

[Matt Shade]

M2 is a high speed steel designed for use in machinist type applications. Its used for cutting other metals. It will rust extremely fast in a corrosuve enviroment if you don't coat it. If you want to take it on a rafting trip it definitely needs to be coated. And the coating doesn't protect the cutting edge, so there is the possibility of corrosian dulling the blade.
ATS34 is a stainless steel so right away it will outperform M2 on corrosian resistance. Its make up has as little chrome as possible though to make it perform better. That means less resistance to corrosian than some other stainlesses. Given the proper care, it should do pretty good on a rafting trip. It would do very well if you could get it coated with something like the BT2 that Benchmade uses.
You should check out some of the newer stainless alloys to. If I remember right, some of the new cpm alloys like 440V and 420V have more chrome in them than ATS34,so they should resist corrosian very well,and they're supposed to take a better edge.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I tell folks all the time

it's Stain-Less
Not Stain-Never

So yes even the ATS-34 can show some damage if not treated or cared for, but the Highspeed steels are high carbon and really don't need much of an excuse to start to turn on you, but they sure do take an impressive edge.

G2

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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...


G2 LeatherWorks

 

[jeegeet]

Originally posted by Gary W. Graley:
I tell folks all the time
it's Stain-Less
Not Stain-Never

Holy words.

I can take care of my knife once a day during a rafting trip but not more often. Just hope this is enough.

Thanks for the info guys.

Kris

 

Hello everybody,
If you care to look at the data sheet, you will be surprised to find:
1) ATS-34 contains MORE carbon than the "high carbon" M-2 HSS.
2) ATS-34 is ALSO a HSS-Type steel, if tempered accordingly. But then just "barely" stainless....

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D.T. UTZINGER