Carbon or Stainless?

[shqxk]

the simplest answer is usually the right one



everything



because that's what they're ancestors used, their "traditional"

You definitely have no clue what you're talking about.

The highest performance blade steel in almost every aspect except corrosion resistance are all carbon/carbon alloy steel.

Best edge holding at cutting robe : K390
Cutting competition king : M4
Toughest : 3V
Best edge stability/sharpness/well balance: 52100

 

[goodeyesniper]

Stainless is always gonna be much better choice, unless you are hung up on tradition and such gobbledygook...

there are very few things in this world you can apply such a blanket statement to such a broad category without looking like a fool. do you have any mirrors nearby?

the world of metallurgy is vast, and the fact you can't even name a single attribute of steel in which stainless is "better" proves you are either trolling or being willfully ignorant.

especially when the defining terms of stainless and carbon are often vague and overlapping, not to mention they are not the only two categories of steel used in blades.

if you have a job requiring an amazingly thin, acute edge polished to an insane degree, and which must be able to maintain stability in your work day. you will probably go for a non stainless steel.

sure, stainless has come a long way, and especially when you are talking about typical pocket knives with thick ish edges that never go below thirty degrees inclusive and coarse sharpening, then stainless can often be leaps and bounds above simple carbon for your tasks.

but if you are pushing the envelope on what steel can actually do, your needs might change.

 

[TheChunk91]

They both have their places, I prefer tool steels over carbon and stainless because of the best overall performance but corrosion resistance is usually not a huge deal for me, so that being said I prefer tool steel, carbon, then stainless. I end up carrying stainless knives most of the time because stainless steels are more common and stainless properties are convenient especially during the summer, which is unfortunately coming up. Edge retention is my biggest concern most of the time so thats what I go for.

 

[bdmicarta]

stainless will always be the best at what?

spoons!!!

 

[goodeyesniper]

furthermore, if you start looking at steels which can arguably be the "best" in a certain category, they are almost never stainless, though that doesn't mean they are simple carbon steels either.

the most insane in sheer edge retention cutting abrasive media will be a non stainless tool steel.
highest edge stability will be a low alloy carbon.

etc...

though I'll admit stainless often wins out in the resisting stains category..

once again, my examples are quite general, but I'm not toting them as end all, be all facts. but I'm more right than you.

 

[Aerose91]

These responses are awesome, thanks. Its just all good info for me to absorb. From what i hear it seems like 52100 may be a great all around steel which is pretty much what im looking for. I dont plan on submerging the thing in saly water ever but thetes a chance it coukd end uosubmerged in fresh water briefly. Beyond that basically just seeing the moments and snow. I also live near the beach so theres salt in the air.

Wouod 52100 hold up to that if i kept good care of it and cleaned/oiled it after everyheavy usage?

 

[marcinek]

Wouod 52100 hold up to that if i kept good care of it and cleaned/oiled it after everyheavy usage?

Yes. Is it "better" than any other steel? Impossible to answer unless we know which steel properties you value in a steel. Comparing individual steels is truly "apples and oranges." (And comparing stainless vs carbon is meaningless nonsense).

Tell us what you want to do with this knife, and what you like in a steel. We might be able to help, if you do that! :thumbup:

 

[rajincagin]

You definitely have no clue what you're talking about.

The highest performance blade steel in almost every aspect except corrosion resistance are all carbon/carbon alloy steel.

Best edge holding at cutting robe : K390
Cutting competition king : M4
Toughest : 3V
Best edge stability/sharpness/well balance: 52100

So corrosion resistance shouldn't be a factor when choosing a blade? that seems ignorant to me,

the guy asked a "general" "broad" question, y'all seem to be obsessed with precise answers,

YOU obviously have no idea what YOU"RE talking about, anyone can copy and paste info from the interwebs

 

[marcinek]

So corrosion resistance shouldn't be a factor when choosing a blade? that seems ignorant to me,

the guy asked a "general" "broad" question, y'all seem to be obsessed with precise answers,

YOU obviously have no idea what YOU"RE talking about, anyone can copy and paste info from the interwebs

Sure corrosion resistance should be a factor. Of course, that's not at all what you said when you said that stainless steel will always be the best at "everything."

And a precise, correct answer is always better than a broad, untrue, generalization if you are trying to inform someone.

And maybe you can tell us where people cut and pasted stuff off the web, or is this another "fact" you just pulled out of thin air?

 

[Rennd]

There are dozens and dozens of different steels in both the carbon and stainless designations. You'll have to be more specific.

 

[rajincagin]

And maybe you can tell us where people cut and pasted stuff off the web, or is this another "fact" you just pulled out of thin air?

why are you trolling?

anyways, he asked which is better, stainless is better, I know some people say stainless is just a trick pulled on the mass ignorants, but if you know where it came, why it was developed and why it become so popular, you would see why it is better, geesh, it's like pulling teeth with this guy...

 

[rajincagin]

there are very few things in this world you can apply such a blanket statement to such a broad category without looking like a fool. do you have any mirrors nearby?

touche

I got a question for you, how long do you have to be member here before you can start insulting people without worry of getting banned?

 

[rajincagin]

Best edge holding at cutting robe : K390

who's cutting up they're robes? I would also think it would depend on if the robe is all cotton, or a poly/blend, just my two cent, but I'm probably wrongo obongo

 

[Aerose91]

Mainly ill be using it for hunting, fishing, camping, batoning, etc.. i dont want anything too heavy though since it will be with me rock climbing and hang gliding etc.. i just say something that has to be able to stand up to the elements should i get stuck in them but i do take really good care of my blades, though i live near the ocean. Im looking for something that holds an edge really well but isnt impossible to sharpen.

 

[Rennd]

Aerose91 said:
Mainly ill be using it for hunting, fishing, camping, batoning, etc.. i dont want anything too heavy though since it will be with me rock climbing and hang gliding etc.. i just say something that has to be able to stand up to the elements should i get stuck in them but i do take really good care of my blades, though i live near the ocean. Im looking for something that holds an edge really well but isnt impossible to sharpen.

If you want a stainless that can handle all of that, I'm not sure stainless is what you need. I'm sure AUS 8a could hold up to it, but it would dull quite quickly. I'd go with something like 52100 or A2. They're both easy to find, too.

 

[Rennd]

rajincagin said:
[quote name="shqxk" post=13215527]



Best edge holding at cutting robe : K390

who's cutting up they're robes? I would also think it would depend on if the robe is all cotton, or a poly/blend, just my two cent, but I'm probably wrongo obongo[/quote]

This is a forum that demands maturity, and it's evident you don't belong here. You're right on track to getting banned, I'm afraid, unless you turn it down.

 

[rajincagin]

who's cutting up they're robes? I would also think it would depend on if the robe is all cotton, or a poly/blend, just my two cent, but I'm probably wrongo obongo

This is a forum that demands maturity, and it's evident you don't belong here. You're right on track to getting banned, I'm afraid, unless you turn it down.[/QUOTE]


I've not been name calling, I have been nothing but polite, yet I've seen some engage in name calling and get banned for it, yet it seems those who have been members for awhile, personally attack others and don't even get infractions for it, it's an honest question,

and thanks for saying I don't belong here, that hurts my feelings yet, I'm sure you won't get infracted either

 

[rajincagin]

Ok, I'm convinced. carbon is better that stainless, on all fronts, in all categories,
cheers

 

[Lee D]

am I the only one who thought this thread was doomed from the start?

 

[Rennd]

Lee D said:
am I the only one who thought this thread was doomed from the start?

Nope!