Buzzbait
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2001
- Messages
- 6,802
I was just wondering if somebody would be up to the challenge of expanding the blade Forums FAQ on Steel Types. I looked it over, and also followed the links to various steel tables. The tables were informative, but just beyond the scope of my knowledge. Id really like to see a table thats more consumer oriented, and less metallurgist oriented.
What Im getting at is an objective list of steels, grading certain performance characteristics. There would be a corrosion resistance table, with the best performers on top. Another ease of sharpening list, an top hardness list etc. Tables for the most common aspects that consumers look for in a steel.
I know that some of this is subjective. A certain companys heat-treating would affect things, as well as possibly other matters, but couldnt some of this be derived objectively? Id really like to see all of those weird charts turned into something that makes sense to the average joe. A consumers guide to steel, if you will.
Say Im shopping for a new blade, and want something thats decently corrosion resistant, but not outrageously so. I also want the new knife to sharpen easily, but Im not worried about having to sharpen frequently. I cross reference my preferred steel characteristics between the charts, and arrive at a few preferred steels for this particular application. Then all I have to do is pick out one of my favorite knife manufacturers, and grab a model well suited to my purpose.
Id actually prefer that the manufacturers made up such a table, so their heat treats and stuff could be taken into account, but Im not holding my breath for all of the manufacturers to do the work at my whim of fancy.
What Im getting at is an objective list of steels, grading certain performance characteristics. There would be a corrosion resistance table, with the best performers on top. Another ease of sharpening list, an top hardness list etc. Tables for the most common aspects that consumers look for in a steel.
I know that some of this is subjective. A certain companys heat-treating would affect things, as well as possibly other matters, but couldnt some of this be derived objectively? Id really like to see all of those weird charts turned into something that makes sense to the average joe. A consumers guide to steel, if you will.
Say Im shopping for a new blade, and want something thats decently corrosion resistant, but not outrageously so. I also want the new knife to sharpen easily, but Im not worried about having to sharpen frequently. I cross reference my preferred steel characteristics between the charts, and arrive at a few preferred steels for this particular application. Then all I have to do is pick out one of my favorite knife manufacturers, and grab a model well suited to my purpose.
Id actually prefer that the manufacturers made up such a table, so their heat treats and stuff could be taken into account, but Im not holding my breath for all of the manufacturers to do the work at my whim of fancy.
