ATS-55 vs ATS-34?

VampyreWolf

VampyreWolf

Joined
Feb 12, 2001
Messages
3,415
I own both the Spyderco Delica(Plain) in ATS-55 and Wegner jr(40/60) in ATS-34. I use my knives daily, but find it hard to carry both ~3" knives. Either one fits my uses for it: general duty, boxes, food prep. I love them both, but have to leave one at home...

Which of the 2 steels do you prefer for EDC and why?
 
Check out this thread about ATS-55.

I prefer ATS-34. ATS-55 was an attempt at getting ATS-34 performance at a lower cost. I don't think it was totally successful.
 
already gone there and posted early in that thread myself...
I normally catch my spydie threads when they come up.

Dennis, why do you like 34?
 
This isn't scientific, but I seem to get better edgeholding out of ATS-34. I have also had better luck with stain resistance.
 
Totally unscientific, but my Wegner Jr. seems to hold an edge better than most other production knives, including my other Spydies in ATS-34.
 
The Wegner is an awesome knife. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit my hand. The delica feels great in my hand. So, despite the fact that I like ATS-34 better than ATS-55, I'd choose the delica. Unless there's a pretty big difference in steel performance -- and in this case, it's not that big, I don't think -- these knives are so incredibly different, I'd think other factors would also be important.

For me personally: If both knives fit my hand well, I'd choose the delica when light weight was the critical factor, the Wegner otherwise, with steel not even factoring into it! [ignoring the fact, of course, that I don't carry liner locks]

And, actually, with the delica going to VG-10 this year, that would definitely be the ultimate winner for me!

Joe
 
I think Joe nailed it. I constantly use ATS-34 and 55 knives. I prefer ATS-34 mainly because I guess I've used the stuff so long I'm partial. I carry a large Dyad every day, (among others), and have had no problems with staining and edge holding seems about the same to me. They're both good steels.
 
No problems with toughness or edge retention with ATS-55 but God it sure does rust! Worse than 1075 plain Jane no Chromium steel!
 
What's up VampyreWolf? I thought that I would put my two cents in here about the Delica. Spyderco now makes the Delica in VG-10 steel. I don't know if you have heard of this type but it is supposed to retain an good edge, and is easy to sharpen. As usual the Delica comes in PE, 50/50 combo, and SE.
I just bought mine last week, and couldn't be happier with it.:D
 
Yeah I've had a little trouble with ATS-55 rusting also. I should probably say..., more and faster than I'd expect. I haven't really noticed anything I'd call significant in edge retention, so I think Joe basically said it all...


"Hunters seek waht they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
The two steels are quite similar...except for one important factor. ATS-34 has outstanding corrosion resistance; ATS-55 does NOT. As far as I'm concerned, that's a big difference, enough to make ATS-34 an easy choice for me.

Well, there is another difference in that heat-treating ATS-34 is tricky. That's why you get so many complaints, since many small custom and semi-custom shops don't have the capability of reliably developing the full potential of ATS-34. So it's a big plus to manufacturers to use something else.
 
>"No problems with toughness or edge retention with ATS-55 but God it sure does rust!"

==================================

I've read this before, but ..... I carry an ATS-55 all the time and have never had any corrosion problems at all. And, when I first got the knife, I carried it to the beach and cut up some pineapple - salt air plus the acidity of the fruit and no problem at all. Plus I use this knife all the time for food prep on hikes and daytrips and I've never used any treatment like Tuff Cloth, etc. I don't understand the variety of reactions. For me, ATS-55 has been a great steel.


(As to the original question of which of the two steels I prefer, I'm not qualified to answer as I haven't owned an ATS-34 knife.)
 
Originally posted by Blade Santa Cruz
ATS-34 has outstanding corrosion resistance; ATS-55 does NOT.
Click to expand...

Huh? ATS-34 doesn't have much better corrosion resistance than ATS-55. In fact, its resistance is far from what I would call "outstanding." Most stainless steels on the market have better corrosion resistance than ATS-34.

BTW - I'm not really a fan of ATS-34 OR ATS-55.
 
I carried a ATS-55 folder (Goddard ltwt) as a work knife for a couple of years. Rotated it with an ATS-34 folder (AFCK). Very corrosive environment. Lots of use.
I can't tell the difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top