Blade steel guide.

[Kennykid]

I just got a Wicked Edge and I want to learn about the different types of steel and their edge retention etc.

Is there a good topic or website that has a comprehensive explanation of blade steels and the benefits/drawbacks of different types? Link would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sharpnessis]

Zknives.com is the only one I know of. I even have the android app! I'm sure you've heard of this site, though. Interested to see if there is another.

 

[Kansas Flatlander]

http://www.agrussell.com/Articles/a/109/

http://www.agrussell.com/Steel_Guide/a/73/

 

[RevDevil]

http://www.bladeforums.com/
One of the best resources for knives, steel, and other things related.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Steel is a raw material. Performance is the result of how it is used by the maker. One maker's Elmax behaves very differently than another maker's blade of the same steel.

Here is some data on specific blades: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...based-on-Edge-Retention-cutting-5-8-quot-rope

 

[PJ Garrison]

Steel is a raw material. Performance is the result of how it is used by the maker. One maker's Elmax behaves very differently than another maker's blade of the same steel.

Yep.

Steel is only one factor among many that governs blade performance. Is it forged into shape, or was it shaped by a stock removal process? How was it heat treated? Was it cryogenically treated? What sort of edge grind do you have? Convex? Hollow? Flat? Chisel? Zero-edge? What are you trying to do with the blade?