Carbon steel folder...

K

knife_nut73

Joined
Jun 25, 2006
Messages
299
I was just curious if anyone makes a folder out of 1095, 5160, 521000, or any other carbon steel. A strong folder like a thick spyderco backlock, or an AXIS. Seems like it would make a very tough edc.
 
There are traditional folders from high carbon steel. I can't think of any tactical models offhand. Cold Steel had some Carbon V folders but those are discontinued (and so is Carbon V :) )
 
Maybe a reach, but Case has a one-hand opening Amber Bone Mid-Folding Hunter in CV carbon steel.

Somebody taught me all about CV this weekend...I can't recall the name...
 
There are a number of custom knifemakers that use high-carbon steel in their folders...I need to check my list before I put names down, though....:foot:


And there's always Opinel on the factory side...tough, but not tactical.
 
I have a Bailey Bradshaw mid-lock with CPM-3V in my pocket. In general, the custom makers will do pretty much anything you want in a folder.

52100 and 10XX will instantly tarnish if you cut into hot meat (e.g. if you cut your steak with it). 3V doesn't have the same issue for me, if that bothers you.

I doubt that toughness will directly impact the functionality of a folder unless you are trying for some very aggressive edge geometry. I like 3V independent of its toughness or corrosion resistance in a folder in the possibly inaccurate perception that I can put a very fine, highly polished edge on it for push cutting, but to a first order that would be true of any of the steels you list in comparison to, say, S30V.

I would bow to Talmadge, Stamp, etc... for a greater analysis of the trade-offs of using non-stainless in a folder.
 
Queen has the Mountain Man with 1095. It's a big knife (3 5/8" blade-8 3/16 OAL) with a stout lockback. Bone handles-$69 bucks, sambar stag handles-$119 bucks.
http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=mtman1095

sambarmt.man.JPG
 
ditto on that Queen mountain man. I have one and would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a strong ,sharp, and handsome lockblade
 
I have a large, tanto-bladed Cold Steel Twistmaster. This knife in particular has an Opinel-style twist lock and a five inch blade of Carbon V steel. I swapped out the odd factory bolster and lock for a 6AL-4V titanium version a friend of mine, who's also a professional machinist and mechanic by trade. Another friend taught me how to ziptie "wave" open the knife, opening the thumbstud-less blade on the draw stroke. For the cheap money I paid for it and the materials in the lock, it's a cool little outdoor knife.
 
Check out John Greco. He makes a Whisper folder out of 8670 called the Whisper folder. It is under 200 dollars and hand made.
 
Douk Douk

Carbon steel--1084 I think. Inexpensive to try and an easy carry.
 
I'm not a metallurgist, either.

My assessment is based on my own use of two of his folders compared to others like the Cold Steel Vaquero Grande, Buck Strider 880, Strider tanto SnG, Extrema Ratio Nemesis, and Chris Reeve Sebenza, which have all held up under heavy use in the field.
 
The 8670 steel John Greco uses in his whisper folder is as follows:

8670 steel was originally made by an American company, Sharon Steel
When they went out of business it was picked up and made by a European Firm
It is a high carbon steel with Chrome and Nickel in it
Not readily offered for sale on the open market it compares some what to A-2 and D-2 in some respects
Used in cutting other steels
Hope this has been of help
 
Admiral Steel offers 8670 Modified as a substitute for L6, reputedly one of the toughest blade steels available.
 
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