Can Anyone Identify this Steel?

W

W201

Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
17
Greetings,

Just curious if anyone can identify the type of steel used in this knife? It's my old diving knife that I've had for ever. I haven't been able to find anything regarding the type of steel used in the knife. All I know about the knife is the maker, Beuchat and that the steel is made in Japan.

Thanks!


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Probably nothing very good. I would guess something similar to 420HC, 440A, or AUS 4/6. Every dive knife I have run across didn't have very good steel and was more of a last ditch tool that a good edge wasn't necessarily expected from it.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Probably nothing very good. I would guess something similar to 420HC, 440A, or AUS 4/6. Every dive knife I have run across didn't have very good steel and was more of a last ditch tool that a good edge wasn't necessarily expected from it.
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I get what you're saying. A diving knife has pretty much two applications: Freeing yourself from a trouble spot, for example if you get tangled up in some line on the ocean floor, or defense against a shark attack lol

Luckily, I've never had either happen to me so the knife is looking pretty good after 15 years. One thing I do love about it is that if you pivot it on it's bolster, it's perfectly balanced so it feels awesome when you hold it. I guess that gives you more confidence if there's a big ass shark coming at you.

Thanks for the reply
 
Last edited:
W201,
I still have my blunt tip Tusa dive knife. After beach diving for lobsters I got tangled up in my flag line at 30’ and had to clean my wetsuit out:eek: I went straight from the beach to the dive shop to get it. Ever hear the joke about why you carry a dive knife for sharks?
 
probably 420 or 440, something on the softer side with good corrosion resistance.

ive never had to fight a shark, but have used dive knives for digging and prying underwater, and for gutting fish or other seafood stuffs. for a diver, a knife is pretty handy to have.

helps if it takes a good edge, but corrosion resistance is the key factor.

if you are looking for "better" dive knife, benchmade and spyderco have great models.
 
oldschool45 said:
W201,
I still have my blunt tip Tusa dive knife. After beach diving for lobsters I got tangled up in my flag line at 30’ and had to clean my wetsuit out:eek: I went straight from the beach to the dive shop to get it. Ever hear the joke about why you carry a dive knife for sharks?
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Never heard that joke, but I'd like to hear it.

MORIMOTOM, I don't dive anymore. I sold all my gear but kept the knife because I collect them and it's always been one of my favorites.
 
The joke is more tongue & cheek. The punchline; when you run into a shark you use the knife to stab your “buddy” so the shark eats him while you swim away:eek:
Nice thing about dive certifications is that they don’t expire. I sold most of my gear off about 7 years ago but when I want some bottom time I rent the gear (a days rental is about the same $ as a year’s maintenance on tanks & regs) and NITROX is getting fairly common even for rentals. 100Cubic foot tank of 40% O2 is :D
 
I remember seeing a similar knife (had the same sheath retention system) marketed as having 420j2. I prefer to stay above the water myself, sharks always seem to be smiling, but i don't figure thats a good thing for the guy with the camera.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Probably nothing very good. I would guess something similar to 420HC, 440A, or AUS 4/6. Every dive knife I have run across didn't have very good steel and was more of a last ditch tool that a good edge wasn't necessarily expected from it.
Click to expand...

Good or bad are matters of application, not universal truths when it comes to knive blades. The steels you mention are excellent for dive knives because they are more resistant to rust than the steels you prefer.
 
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