Case, blade steel?

gull wing

gull wing

Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
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What steel was used on Case knives back in the 60's. I bought a Large bone Stockman somewhere in late 50's early 60's. Great knife, still have it.
 
I always just assumed it was the same thing as their current Chrome Vanadium but I never had any facts to base that assumtion on.
 
CV, carbon steel with a bit of chrome and vanadium. It's changed a little over the years, but not much... Good stuff!

BTW. The newer Case knives in CV are tempered to a higher RC hardness. Holds an edge a bit longer.
 
Case's CV is pretty close to 1095, FWIW. It's their custom blend, have it made for them, and buy in bulk.
 
I recently purchased a 1965 'XX Frame/USA blade' version of the 6265 SAB Folding Hunter, in fairly well-used but good condition. I put new bevels on the blades right away. I might be inclined to agree with Don Hanson's comment above, that the new CV might be a tad harder. The blades on this knife took a wicked-sharp edge, which I like, but the steel did seem softer (although pretty typical of other older knives of similar vintage). I re-bevelled a 3138 CV sodbuster recently, and by comparison, it seems to be a little more durable, once the edge is put in place.

Whether or not the steel is different, or the heat treat, I like both of these steels. Both sharpen up nicely, and are easy to maintain that way.
 
Similar to 1095 but Very close to W2, with more Manganese and Chrome .

Course each batch is different. Carbon usually between .85 and .90.
 
Thanks, Don. Your W2 is my all-time favorite.

I hope I'm correct in remembering that the older CV was around 55 HRc, while the newer is closer to 57.
Just for comparison, GECs 1095 is 58-59 HRc, and you can really tell just those couple points when sharpening the three different steels/heat-treats.
 
black mamba said:
Thanks, Don. Your W2 is my all-time favorite.

I hope I'm correct in remembering that the older CV was around 55 HRc, while the newer is closer to 57.
Just for comparison, GECs 1095 is 58-59 HRc, and you can really tell just those couple points when sharpening the three different steels/heat-treats.
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Jeff, years ago a friend of mine Rockwell tested some XX and tested Case knives, they were all in the mid 40s'. Back in the old days folks were more interested in ease of sharpening and that scary sharp edge, than in edge holding. High RC #s are a fairly modern thing in the knife world. :)
 
Seems like around 1970 Case upped the hardness a bit, then again in the 80s'.

Just my comparison of all the Case knives I have.
 
Thanks!
Close to 1095.
Other companies do 1095, as in Great Eastern.
I had guessed it might have been 01. Although I don't think I've ever seen a folding knife in 01.

Thank you all!
 
I have to agree with the post of Case vs GEC hardness. I wish CASE would bring their CV up to GECs hardness range.:(
 
I've checked a number of CV swayback jacks and they all were from RC 59 to 61. I don't know about other patterns but that's what I get in the SBJs.
 
gull wing said:
Thanks!
Close to 1095.
Other companies do 1095, as in Great Eastern.
I had guessed it might have been 01. Although I don't think I've ever seen a folding knife in 01.

Thank you all!
Click to expand...
The addition of chrome and vanadium take CV out of the realm of 1095. It's more of a cross between W2 and 01, but not really, if that makes any sense. Closer to 01 than 1095.
 
Thank's for offering up some tested data Tony. I don't have access to testing equipment, but the GEC 1095 just seems harder, to me, than CASE CV when sharpening. I've got plenty of both and think they are fine steels either way!:D I own and use many different knives in many different steels and they all work.
 
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