Becker Knife Steel Question

[Horn Dog]

I don't hang out here much, so please forgive me if this has been covered. I own several old Beckers, including the Brute, BK-7, Necker, and BK-9. Mine are the ones made by Camillus. What is the difference, if any, in the new Ka-Bar Beckers in 1095 Cro-Van and the older ones in 0170-6 steel? Is it the same steel?

 

[Bladite]

I don't hang out here much, so please forgive me if this has been covered. I own several old Beckers, including the Brute, BK-7, Necker, and BK-9. Mine are the ones made by Camillus. What is the difference, if any, in the new Ka-Bar Beckers in 1095 Cro-Van and the older ones in 0170-6 steel? Is it the same steel?

different but similar. same for the heat treat. different but similar.

slight differences in edge retention vs ease of sharpening and toughness. which is better? neither!

if you hit the search thing, and look for Becker Steel or some such, you'll find the discussions on this not too far back.


Bladite

 

[Toooj]

Horn Dog,

Fear not. 1095 Cro-Van is the same steel as 170-06.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr. Eng.
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives

 

[Horn Dog]

Horn Dog,

Fear not. 1095 Cro-Van is the same steel as 170-06.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr. Eng.
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives

Thanks, Paul. I suspected as much, but was not sure. That's a great steel! I never had any doubt that the Ka-bars were at least as good as the old Camillus ones. I own quite a few Ka-Bars and all have performed well for me.

 

[midnight flyer]

Horn Dog,

Fear not. 1095 Cro-Van is the same steel as 170-06.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Paul Tsujimoto
Sr. Eng.
Prod Dev and Qual
KA-BAR Knives

How nice is that? Right from the authority that would know.

Sweet.

Robert

 

[Horn Dog]

Having used older Cold Steel and Becker knives in that steel for years, I have a lot of respect for the edge holding and general toughness it has. I know that different manufacturers sometimes use different names for the same steel. Carbon V, 0170-6, 50100 B and 1095 Cro-Van all seem to be the same great cutlery steel. Of course, the heat treat is critical, but I'm sure Ka-Bar has that down. It's good to know that the new Beckers are as good as the old ones. :thumbup:

 

[Bridgeman]

How nice is that? Right from the authority that would know.

Sweet.

Robert

No convincing needed here. Him's the reason I'm one of the KA-BAR faithful. Now if KA-BAR could just figure out a way to make vintage Schrades I'd never have to shop anywhere else!!!

 

[Talisman80]

Recently I just took my new Becker BK2 out in the woods and it performed admirably. Chopping was a breeze. The edge retention was very good as well.

I have not yet figured out how to get the edge scary sharp. I am using a Sharpmaker and have back-beveled and re-sharpened. This helped but it is still duller than I would like. I am able to get my Spyderco VERY sharp but no luck with the BK2. Any advice? Noob here.

 

[Moosez45]

Are you a fan of sharpening systems or convexed edge? I use a Lansky system and my BK2 gets SCARY sharp. If you convex though, a system would be useless. I may be wrong, convexers correct me. I have always used a guide system, but I have never used the Sharpmaker, so I don't have any advice there. With my Lansky, I start out medium and go all the way through a canvas strop, and I get that single hair popping edge on mine. You know, where you select a hair and barely touch it and pops off like a razor. Hope it helps. Moose

 

[Talisman80]

Thanks for the advice. I do have another system similar to the Lansky, I think I'll go ahead and try that. Thanks again for your help!