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Ats 55
- Thread starter spydutch
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,955
Hi Spydutch.
ATS55 has slightly less carbon, but it has cobalt copper and silicon in it which ATS34 does not have. There is significantly less molybdenum in ATS55 also but slightly more manganese.
What this means is differences in the the corrosion resistance most likely due to the copper in the ATS55. The cobalt in the ATS55 sort of makes up for the lacking in molybdenum in some ways but the real difference I see is that there is copper, cobalt and silicon in the ATS 55 which comes together to probably create a steel that can be harder and quenched at a higher temp. The reason I say that is because the cobalt generally intensifies the other elements somehow and both it and the silicon increase the strength and hardenability of the steel. The copper seems to tell me that the ATS 55 is probably going to have better corrosion resistance also.
Of course all of this is just an educated guess. I'm not a metalurgist so maybe one of the other guys can zero in on more for you.
ATS55 has slightly less carbon, but it has cobalt copper and silicon in it which ATS34 does not have. There is significantly less molybdenum in ATS55 also but slightly more manganese.
What this means is differences in the the corrosion resistance most likely due to the copper in the ATS55. The cobalt in the ATS55 sort of makes up for the lacking in molybdenum in some ways but the real difference I see is that there is copper, cobalt and silicon in the ATS 55 which comes together to probably create a steel that can be harder and quenched at a higher temp. The reason I say that is because the cobalt generally intensifies the other elements somehow and both it and the silicon increase the strength and hardenability of the steel. The copper seems to tell me that the ATS 55 is probably going to have better corrosion resistance also.
Of course all of this is just an educated guess. I'm not a metalurgist so maybe one of the other guys can zero in on more for you.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2005
- Messages
- 184
Alright, I prefer steels like VG-10 nowadays, but I still quite like ATS-55. I've got two Spyderco Rookies and a Rescue in that steel, and they're good knives.
I think ATS-55 was meant to be a cheaper alternative to ATS-34 with slightly worse edgeholding, but I find it a lot easier to sharpen than ATS-34. In fact, I think it takes a finer edge than S60V or indeed S30V (both of which have better wear resistance, of course). I keep an almost convex edge on my Rookies, and it works pretty well.
Corrosion - I've seen some reports of ATS-55 developing rust quite quickly, but I never had a problem with my three knives. Unlike ATS-34 it doesn't seem to develop any deep pitting when used in wet and humid conditions, at least in my experience. I keep a pretty shiny polish on my Rookies though, maybe that makes a difference.
In other words: ATS-55 isn't a bad steel at all. It may even be somewhat underrated nowadays. So if you're looking for an excuse to buy a few new knives, you must look elsewhere.
Hans
I think ATS-55 was meant to be a cheaper alternative to ATS-34 with slightly worse edgeholding, but I find it a lot easier to sharpen than ATS-34. In fact, I think it takes a finer edge than S60V or indeed S30V (both of which have better wear resistance, of course). I keep an almost convex edge on my Rookies, and it works pretty well.
Corrosion - I've seen some reports of ATS-55 developing rust quite quickly, but I never had a problem with my three knives. Unlike ATS-34 it doesn't seem to develop any deep pitting when used in wet and humid conditions, at least in my experience. I keep a pretty shiny polish on my Rookies though, maybe that makes a difference.
In other words: ATS-55 isn't a bad steel at all. It may even be somewhat underrated nowadays. So if you're looking for an excuse to buy a few new knives, you must look elsewhere.
Hans
Hello Spydutch. I think you'll enjoy your Spydies (AFAIK only Spyderco used ATS-55) 
Now I am aware that the same steel may perform differently depending on the manufacturer and the technological process. But it happens that I have a couple knives in ATS-34, ATS-55 and VG-10, all made by Spyderco, so this technological issue should be reduced to mimimum.
From my experience with these knives, I found ATS-55 to be a great (and most underrated) steel. It holds an edge much better than ATS-34 and is easier to sharpen. It gets a fine edge, as fine as VG-10, and the edge retention is close to VG-10's, but VG-10 has better corrosion resistance.
Hope this helps.
Now I am aware that the same steel may perform differently depending on the manufacturer and the technological process. But it happens that I have a couple knives in ATS-34, ATS-55 and VG-10, all made by Spyderco, so this technological issue should be reduced to mimimum.
From my experience with these knives, I found ATS-55 to be a great (and most underrated) steel. It holds an edge much better than ATS-34 and is easier to sharpen. It gets a fine edge, as fine as VG-10, and the edge retention is close to VG-10's, but VG-10 has better corrosion resistance.
Hope this helps.