Budget knife steels that wont rust in the snow.

Any Spyderco from their Salt series of knives will fit your "no rust" requirement because they use H1 blade steel which will not rust.
 
The above-mentioned Salt series is the clear winner for corrosion resistance, but if that's too rich for you you can try some of the Boker Plus or Buck folders and fixed blades. They use 440c and 420hc respectively and both are very rust resistant.
 
Either the Spyderco Salt series or delica/endura line with VG-10

Personally haven't used the salt line, but I can speak for the VG-10. This past winter I dropped my Delica in the snow while shoveling, was outside for 3 or 4 days before I found it and no rust.
 
The majority of cheapo steels will resist rust very well. Anything labeled "stainless" or "surgical" steel is probably something along the lines of 420J or poorly heat treated 440A. It won't hold an edge, but you won't have to worry about rust.
If you want something that'll still resist rust well for a low price, while not being total crap, look into 420HC, Case's Tru Sharp, Victorinox/Wenger's proprietary steel, CTS BD1, 5Cr15MoV (used by CRKT,) and well heat treated 440A. I'm sure there're plenty of others as well, but those are the ones that come to mind immediately.

ETA: H-1 is extremely rust resistant, but it isn't what I'd call a "budget" steel.
 
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Dan57 said:
The majority of budget steels will be very rust resistant. They won't hold an edge well, though.
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I use 1095 and 02 in the snow all the time, and I never have a rust problem. If you get a good patina on a tool-steel knife you really don't have to worry too much about it. I live on the west coast of canada in a rain forest, next to the pacific. I've never had rust problems. I think you'd be better off worrying more about the quality of edge the steel will maintain versus the rust resistance.
 
i have a salt h1. the endura sized version. i wear it in my waist band about 50 hours a week at work. I do not sweat like im running a 5k but i do perspire. it has ben fantastic. i have worn a few other knives in this fashion and the salt has been the best so far. and it holds an edge similar to 420 steel. its certainly good for what i need. its also super light and has a thin profile
 
timbit said:
I use 1095 and 02 in the snow all the time, and I never have a rust problem. If you get a good patina on a tool-steel knife you really don't have to worry too much about it. I live on the west coast of canada in a rain forest, next to the pacific. I've never had rust problems. I think you'd be better off worrying more about the quality of edge the steel will maintain versus the rust resistance.
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No argument here!
 
With proper care you may not have rust problems in snow. Proper care includes keeping the knife dry and not leaving it wet in a sheath, particularly not a leather sheath. A patina won't save your cutting edge from rust or save the knife from contact with a wet acid cured leather sheath. Please remember that frozen water doesn't cause rust, but eventually you are going to come back inside and any snow in contact with your steel will melt.
An excellent fixed blade in stainless can be had from Mora.
 
N680 that benchmade uses in a lot of their less expensive US made knives has a good reputation.
 
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