BLADE STEELS

Darrel Ralph

Darrel Ralph

Joined
Dec 14, 1998
Messages
4,870
I was looking for some comments on blade steel . Lets do a thread on your favorite steels. Add the knife size it was on..
 
I really like 5160 bar steel for my Bowie knives which run an average of 12-14 inches. It feels so nice and gummy when I grind it. It also has a tendency to set my gloves on fire, an added benefit. I use ATS-34 for my 4 inch bladed Drop Points for most customers...their request. I personally prefer 440-C and O-1 for my own blades.
 
I'm awful partial to 420V, 440V, and Stellite. I don't have any problem with 440C. Still use alot of ATS-34. Didn't answer very well, did I? Guess it goes to show that there is no perfect steel. I counted and have 14 different steels in the shop.
 
I like the 440v and 420 v very much . THe bg42 to me is just a refined version of ats pretty much . The structher in it from the from the mill seems much better.. 440c is still my fav over ats though. Carbons I really like for big knives along with 440c.
 
When i started making knives 10 years ago (im 25 years old) i used circular sawblades, files, what ever i could get my hands on. Then i got my hands on the lovely soft O1, and i love how it performs and the easy way it grinds. i dont like the rust so when i get my ansoknive-supergrinder-2000 build i think i will change i to ats-34 or d-2. I sharpen my blades to cut not to chop down trees so i use 10-20 degrees on the stones and it just go trough anything (including my indexfinger one day i was fumbeling with a kydex sheat and a knife that was alittle short).
frown.gif

 
Harry
I love 52100, 1084, L6 much better than 440c.
For clients who want rust resistance I prefer 440c over ATS 34. I have used both . There isnt a great difference in the two . JUST THE HIPE. I find the 440c I have purchased in bar form much better to work with than the ast I have seen and used... This just might be me ..
For smaller folders and such 420v is my choice . BG42 and cpm420v I havent tested in a big knife. Im waiting for an order to do so . Im sure they will work well also . Just like to stick to what I know until I test the steels I use..
 
Darrel-
I haven't tried the Crucible 400's yet, but I've got
a blade just about polished out in CPM 10-V.
(I will also finish blades much better before going
to heat treat when using these steels UGH!!!).
10's affinity for oxidizing leads me to believe that
the best finish for it will be to card it brown
(figure it'll end up that color eventually anyways).
Otherwise, I'm using mostly D2 & L6.
FWIW, scuttlebutt (or Schwarzer) says that Sheffield
has 52100 flat bar in stock...I think 1/8X 1".
Yer Friend Harry
 
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