blade steels

K

kostas tamb/is

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Jun 8, 2003
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I have a question I want to ask for quite sometime. I hope it is does not show my ignorance very much... here goes: There are lots of steels that are very hard, edge holding etc etc but very rust prone. There are also lots of steel that are almost stainless but lack the above. Why is such a problem to sandwich one within the other and have all desirable properties together? I think Fallkniven has done so with their A2 and NL models. What is keeping the others? Enlighten me please
 
Because for most people, a 'compromise' is fine.

My daily carry is a S30V. It cuts well, needs limited care and fits my needs.

I do have a custom Chang 'Pacific Rim Bowie' in 1084. It cuts like a chainsaw, but it needs oil. I've heard that 1095, O1 and D2 are tremendous cutters, the best in fact, but corrosion is a problem that we all face.

For me, a bit of care with a oily rag at the end of the day (or a 'good' stainless knife) is a small price to pay. I try to enjoy the knife for what it is.
 
Actually, such a blade would cause more problems then it would solve. The most important part - the edge would still rust, and the outer soft stainless steels really wouldn’t improve the ability to bend or pry compared to a conventional carbon steel blade. Carbon steel blades can be coated or plated to prevent rusting on everything but the edge.


- Frank
 
What you are talking about is a laminated blade which in theory is great but in practicality is not necesarily the best.

Cold Steel has done this with the San Mai III steel they have put hard high carbon steel inside sandwiched by softer lower carbon steel on the outside. This sounds great but why pay more for a laminated blade when you can get one justas good out of one solid chunk. If rust is a concern get a blade with a coating of some sort, Tungsten, Teflon, Boron Carbide, Boron Nitrare, Titanium Nitrate these will help prevent corosion of the blade.

In theory there is no truely stainless steel I have a set of three ply surgical Stainless Steel cooking pots and they have started to stain. Now understand that they are over 20 years old and they are use so often they have to start to stain. If you want a good cutting steel and then go for stainless VG-10, S30V, 154CM, 440C, CPM-440V and so on, if you want a great cutting steel then get tool steel M2, D2, and the best by far O1 now just now that tool steel are very low in chromium or have none so they must be cared for now they will not rust at the sight of water but do not leave them in water or wet area for 48 hours and expect them to be clean they will spot but surface rust is far from being detrimental to the solidity of your blade.

Best of luck and hope you find a good piece. Yes the Fallkniven knives are great I have one and have no complaints about my, knife, prybar, axe, hammer... Yes it does it all and so much more. Oh yes it's the A1.

Nimravus
 
Ichabod,
I use both D2 and S30V in making knives and S30V is superior in most ways as a cutter. D2 does not have much of a corrosion problem, though. With ~12% Cr it is very rust resistant. D2 does have a toothier edge due to its coarser grain, but dulls faster.
 
Part of the equation that has not been discussed is the profit motive. The steel manufacturers want to make what will sell and give them the least amount of support trouble. Products like the high tech stainless steels sell. The powder steels sell. There has to be some motivation for creating a steel such as you suggest. Steel design and manufacturing is a competitive business just like any other. If it doesn't perform, meet or beat the competition's price point, give the manufacturer, maker a reason to use it and the knife user a reason to buy it over other steels, why should they make it???

Ask them.. They probably won't.
 
2 Frank K

As I understand, the core steel is stainless if sides are stainless. It is impossible to combine stainless with carbon this way, even using new powder technologies. The reason is not to prevent corrosion, but to increase edge hardness using hi-carbon hard but brittle core and increase shock resistance by soft sides.

So rust resistance is not a case here.

As I understand no any knifemaker here has his own steel production, but buys steel on the market. As a result they have what was left from other industries. But for Helle - Norwegian Steel institute make laminated blades.

May be now Sekicut may make laminated blades not only for Fallkniven but for SOG and others? I'll love to see laminated Pentagon or SOG Bowie!

You may found a lot of information about laminated blades and Helle there:
http://www.ragweedforge.com
https://www.helleknife.com/indexx.html

Thanks, Vassili
 
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