Byrd steels

What are they? The only one I know of is 8Cr13MoV, which performs similar to AUS8, maybe a bit better. It is good stuff.

I recall Sal saying it is what the Chinese were calling 440, and some of the early pieces were marked 440 before he analyzed the steel and found out it wasn't what WE call 440.
 
yablanowitz said:
What are they? The only one I know of is 8Cr13MoV, which performs similar to AUS8, maybe a bit better. It is good stuff.

I recall Sal saying it is what the Chinese were calling 440, and some of the early pieces were marked 440 before he analyzed the steel and found out it wasn't what WE call 440.
Click to expand...

They weren't just calling it "440", they were calling it "440C," which makes it even worse. Sal, as usual, did the right thing by properly identifying and reporting the actual steel used. It is the only steel I know of that the Byrd line has used to this point. Some of the earliest pieces, I believe, said 440C.

Regards,
3G
 
What I wonder is how often does Spyderco audit the steel they are getting?

At first they thought they were getting 440C, upon having it analyzed they had to start calling it 8Cr13MoV. Does Spyderco keep checking to be certain they are still getting the same stuff? How good is the QC at the mill that produces the steel they buy?
 
Since Sal mentioned they bought the plant in China that is producing Byrd knives, my money would be on "frequently" on the question on audits, and "eternal vigilance" on quality control.

As I recall, Sal said he specified 440C for blade steel. When he tested the first batch of knives to come over marked 440C, the chemistry didn't match that of American or Japanese 440C, but it was what the Chinese call 440C. Sal elected to have the markings changed so that American buyers wouldn't think they were getting American 440C.

I have seen nothing on the forums that would lead me to believe that what happened was anything but an honest mistake or mistranslation. I have seen nothing on the forums that would lead me to suspect any Byrd knives have been made with substandard steel. And given the choice, with all else being equal, I'd take 8Cro13MoV over 440C any time.
 
:thumbup::thumbup: On the Byrd steel!
If it was listed as 440C I honestly wouldn't have looked twice. That is just me. I have a few 440C knives, and like 'em fine, but I feel like the Byrd steel is more like a good AUS8 blade, but with proper hardening.
57-59 for most AUS8 blades, and 61 for Byrd's 8Cr13MoV, which will handle that hardness quite well I might add. A sure case of lemons to lemonade, "here here", to Sal!:thumbup::thumbup:
 
So basically we got a better deal than asked for, as far as 8Cr13MoV vs. 440C is concerned?
 
440C has a very high chrome content and is better at resisting corrosion than 8Cr13MoV.

sal
 
One nce thing about living in the rain shadow of the Rockies. Rust resistance isn't a real high priority for me :D
 
Dear Sal Any Chance Of Making Any Spydies With A Camo Handle Pattern In The Near Future.
 
I love 440C but it suits some knives better than others. Knives that are going to have a mirror finish or used around salt water 440C is perfect but I rather like the byrd steel for the type of general purpose use my Crossbill gets. It reminds me of the steel that the scandis use on the stainless moras. I think 440C is really under rated though it is one of my favourite steels and was designed for the blades of jet turbines(I think).
 
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