ATS-34 vs Carbon V

A

ayz

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Jul 5, 2004
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Anyone have a link to a comprehensive analysis of different types of steel?

I'm trying to decide between two knives, with the steel type being the only real difference.
 
Don't know about a comprehensive analysis, but I have a Buck Strider 880S in ATS-34 and several CS blades in Carbon V. ATS-34, like most stain resistant grades, is tougher to sharpen but will hold an edge a long time... and likely won't rust if given reasonable care. Carbon V will hold an edge equally long, is a lot easier to sharpen, will take a finer edge IMHO, and will rust readily unless given reasonable care (i.e., dried off and not stored in a damp sheath). VG-10 comes close in edge holding to Carbon V but takes a tad longer to sharpen... probably easier than ATS-34 tho'. Of course, these are purely subjective impressions but they are based on real life experience. Maybe Cliff can add some technical analysis.
 
I don't think a comparison between these two is very useful. It is something like comparing apples and oranges. You are comparing a hard, somewhat brittle, fairly corrosion resistant steel (ATS-34) to a softer, tougher, non-corrosion resistant steel (carbon steel.) I think the application should guide you, not the specifications of the material. If the knife is a military fixed blade or camp knife, then I'd suggest carbon steel personally because it is tougher. If it is a modestly sized folder, I'd opt for ATS-34 because it can take and maintain a sharper edge.

Understand that Carbon V isn't a steel. It is a trademark. It is applied to knives with blades made of carbon steel instead of stainless steel in the Cold Steel lexicon. Take care.
 
Which one is better: a beefsteak or a quarterpounder?

Think about, what is should be used for and then you may say this one is better for the task.

But both steels, properly heat treated are great on their ground.
 
Knife Outlet said:
Understand that Carbon V isn't a steel. It is a trademark. QUOTE]

That´s right, but the FAQ here and a test last year have shown that in the last years it is a steel like said here in the FAQ.
Click to expand...
 
They will both hold an edge a comparitively long time. The ATS-34 is stainless, but generally harder to sharpen than Carbon V. If the ATS-34 edge is hollow ground or is otherwise thin the sharpening difficulty would be minimized. I would generally expect the Carbon V to take a finer edge. The Carbon V would be tougher and less likely to break if overstressed than ATS-34.
 
I have ATS-34 on my Spyderco Wegner and that hollow ground edge is wicked sharp! Yea, it holds an edge well and really is simple to keep sharp if you just touch it up, don't let it get dull. Wipe it dry with anything and rust is not a worry, which is nice.
The CS Master Hunter in Carbon V gets good reviews here and sounds like a great knife for the money (one site has it for $43). I've seriously considered one but have heard some complaints about the handle when used hard, so I've held back.
 
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