ATS-55 in the Dragonfly?

SkagSig40

SkagSig40

Joined
Feb 1, 2001
Messages
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I have never used this steel. how does it compair to ATS-34? Is it a tough steel? Chips out easy? Holds an edge well? Felxable? I like the Dragonfly and I think I will get one depending on how good this steel is? Thanks for the help!!:)
 
I'm not a steel snob. In fact, I'm a newbie around here. But in my (limited) experience, high carbon steel rocks. Just compare Schrade to Uncle Henry. I love both but have never ran across an Uncle Henry that would cut like a carbon Schrade. These miracle metals don't impress me much. I have a few ATS-34 knives. Definately not impressive in the "hair popping sharp" department. Tough stuff though. I have no idea about ATS-55 but in my humble opinion it sounds like more of the same from the stainless crowd. {{{{sigh}}}}

I've handled carbon knives that would split an atom.

It would be nice if Spyderco offered carbon steel blades. The only Spydie I own is a fully serrated Police model that just disappears in my pocket. Great design.
 
I assume you are cosidering the steel handle version, I have aus8a FRN handle type, although I also have Spyderco ats55 in Delica. If you search, recently there are two threads at least on topic of ats55 versus ats34 and, versus vg10.
My own opinion is that is excellent steel for Dragonfly, which is small folder with very keen, flat ground blade. I don't see why it would need to be tough in this size, no use prying with it, it should be strong enough with good Rc to withstand normal uses like paper, cardboard, string, paring apple, ect . In this size and for expected uses for small folder like this ,ats 55 should be considered "more than enough." It should offer longer wear resistance than my aus8a Dragonfly, which is very good for this small folder.

Good luck choosing,

Martin
 
ATS-55 is okay. I don't like it as much as VG-10 (my current favorite Spyderco steel), or as much as 440V. I think it compares pretty well to ATS-34, maybe a hair less edge-holding. If you do a search in the reviews forum, Sergiusz Mitin did some testing with ATS-34 vs. ATS-55, and ATS-34 was notably ahead. This may be an artifact of the testing methodology though. Don't let ATS-55 stop you from buying a knife though. My Mini-Dyad is ATS-55 and it's one of my favorite, most-used knives.
 
When it first came out I liked ATS-55 a lot. But since I've found there is sometimes a variance in its "behavior" from knife to knife. I have the ATS-55, SS-handled Dragonfly and it took me quite a while to touch up the blade on the Sharpmaker. It should be a very easy blade/grind to resharpen but after much time I got it sharper but can't seem to knock off the slight burr on the edge. My ATS-55 plain-edged Endura was much easier to sharpen. Maybe it's my own lack of skill at sharpening (I can do some knives very easily, and some seem very stubborn at resharpening).
Jim
 
That is intresting. I just bought the SS Dragonfly so I guess time will tell! It is a nice little knife that shouldn't scare anyone in public if they see it.:rolleyes:
 
I've been using my SS dragonfly, PE, since August '01. Just recently(December or January) found out how to get it DAMN sharp... did it to my Calypso jr lt also...

1> 30 degree edge, all 4 steps.
2> back to step 3, then go backwards UP the stones(as you would to steel the edge)...
DAMN sharp, fillet o' paper anyone?

or:

1> 30 degrees, all 4 steps
2> 40 degrees, step 1 for 2-5 LIGHT strokes to roughen the edge up for utility.
 
VampyreWolf, Can you give me more detail on how you are sharpening? What stone/system do you use? Thanks!!!

P.S. How do you like the Dregonfly?
 
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