best blade steel for small survival knife

[wild wolf]

Im new to knife making and was wondering what blade steel would be best for a small survival knife for heavy use?

 

[fast14riot]

Welcome! Lots of good steels, but when I think survival I tend to gravitate to stainless. 440C and D2 are fantastic.

If your looking to get into knife making, first off, fill out your profile with at least your location (city, state/country) make an introducton into shoptalk and state you background and desires of what you want out of this hobby. It tends to be all consuming, so hopefully you have the fortitude to put up with it!

Welcome again, and hope to see you around here more!


-Xander

 

[wild wolf]

would W-2 tool steel work?

 

[A C Richards]

W-2 will work great but it must be cared for. You just need to wipe it down after use and give it a good coat of oil when you get home. I really like W2, it is a great steel. It takes a wicked edge and holds it for a long time. It is not stainless though so it does need your attention.

 

[J.Manuel]

W-2 will work great but it must be cared for. You just need to wipe it down after use and give it a good coat of oil when you get home. I really like W2, it is a great steel. It takes a wicked edge and holds it for a long time. It is not stainless though so it does need your attention.

I agree . W2 is a great steel but needs regular maintenance . I have a Hawthorne Bowie by R A that I never use & thought I was giving proper care to . I use camella oil & Renaissance polish both but found a small spot on the blade recently I managed to get the spot off but now have a shiny spot where it was . Not very noticeable but I know it's there - bummer

 

[ScottRoush]

I LOVE 1/8" 15n20.. holds and edge better than any steel I've personally tested...

 

[lwrhea]

If this is a survival knife I would not be too worried about the fact that the steel might tarnish. Every knife I make is a survival knife. At the very least, I have that in the back of my mind. I have used several great steels that I would be confident in. W2, 1084, L-6, but It's hard to beat 5160.

 

[wild wolf]

Is 5160 Chevy leaf spring steel

 

[Jon P. Moore]

I.M.O.,,, all leaf spring steel is 5160 regardless of the auto brand..... spring company's make springs for everyone.. I have to agree with the 5160 being my choice! Holds an edge with abuse!!

 

[james terrio]

If you want 5160 just buy some new stock. I will spare you all the boring details of why it's a bad idea to use old car parts to make new knives.

All the steels mentioned above will work. I'm partial to 1084, O1, CPM-154 and CPM-3V, among others. It just depends on the balance of toughness, edge-retention, and corrosion-resistance you desire.

 

[wild wolf]

thanks

 

[Doug C]

all leaf spring steel is 5160 regardless of the auto brand.....

Not entirely correct...
I worked at the Rockwell Leaf Spring plant in New Castle PA in the mid '70's
(as a very young man )
and the helper springs on some Blazers and Jeep products were 1080.

Doug

 

[Gossman Knives]

I like using O1 and A2. S7 is another good steel. My favorite in stainless are CPM 154 and CPM S35VN.
Scott

 

[j man]

I LOVE 1/8" 15n20.. holds and edge better than any steel I've personally tested...

Great Steel. I also like L6.
Steels used in Survival knives should be easy to field sharpen with primitive methods.
IMO ,D2 ,Infi, 3G and other super steel are too hard to do this.