Cold Steel Carbon Steel vs. San Mai III

[Tureg]

I want to purchase a 6 " recon scout knife for a survival knife. I want to know for living out in the woods for a couple of weeks under some harsher conditions...i.e. rain, humidity, temperature changes, what kind of blade steel is more durable and trail ready? San Mai III or the Carbon Steel version?

 

[johnu2]

Since you mentioned rain and humidity, maybe stainless steel would be a better choice. Falkniven seems to get a pretty good rap on these forums


Edit: My apologies, san mai iii are usually made with vg1 steel and therefore, stainless

 

[Bigfattyt]

The SanMai III seems to be durable enough to me. I have a Trail Master Bowie in SanMai and it held an edge for years before I had to resharpen it. It will also withstand tons of lateral flex. I have even thrown it (which has been the death of many of my knives in the past). As to the Carbon steel that cold steel uses, it is super tough, expecially from shock and flex standpoint.

The down side is that you need to take care of the exposed edge to keep it from rusting. But it does hold an edge well (from what I have heard) my only CS product with carbon steel are hatchets, axe, and shovel, and a newly acquired GI Tanto (super cheap) all basically used for throwing.

But the carbon steel knives are much less expensive. But I would bet you money you will have a very hard time ever breaking the knife.
The Carbon Steel Recon Scout can be had for $69 while the SanMai III will cost 200 (cheapest I have found is at knifecenter.com but shop around for cheaper).

If you can pay $200 for the SanMai you won't be disappointed, and will never have to worry about the knife rusting. But for $69 I will be willing to bet you will not be sorry with the Carbon Steel version either. either will be hella strong for heavy use. (also if you don't mind a tiny bit of extra weight you could do the trail master Bowie)

But all my cold steel products have given me good service, and have been well worth every penny.

 

[Nimravus Nut]

San Mai III has aus8 as the center core and 420 j2 as the soft sides, Fallkniven is also constructed the same way but it's called "laminated" and they have VG-10 as the center core.

Also, if you don't want your knife edge to rust before its used, you're better off with stainless.

 

[Kaizen1]

The carbon blades from Cold Steel perform better overall as far as I understand, but seem to rust quicker. Personally, I think that there are plenty of other names out there that can give you way more value per dollar:

Ranger Knives
Fallkniven
Scrap Yard Knives

For starters

 

[ashtxsniper]

I have both but my carbons are made of Carbon V which is very hard to find now days. Carbon is better for the camping /hunting situation where you can return home in a few days and clean it. San Mai III is better for the Survival situation. Also the carbon model has a leather sheath where as the San Mai III version has a cordura sheath. If the sheath is going to be staying wet or is immersed in water then the cordura sheath is also better.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Since you mentioned rain and humidity, maybe stainless steel would be a better choice. Falkniven seems to get a pretty good rap on these forums


Edit: My apologies, san mai iii are usually made with vg1 steel and therefore, stainless

It appears that the Fallkniven knives are made out of the exact same steel as the San Mai III. Laminated VG-10 core with 420 sides. The Fallkniven appear to have the exact same blade profile and convex grind with the rolled edge to boot. I also like the look of the handles. Only wish that they had made the pommel stainless steel as well, instead of aluminum (for hammering) but the cold steel has no pommel so......oh well. The Fallkniven are a bit more expensive than the cold steel, so that is a down side.

OOps Vg1 for cold steel, and vg 10 for falkniven sorry

 

[ashtxsniper]

It appears that the Fallkniven knives are made out of the exact same steel as the San Mai III. Laminated VG-10 core with 420 sides. The Fallkniven appear to have the exact same blade profile and convex grind with the rolled edge to boot. I also like the look of the handles. Only wish that they had made the pommel stainless steel as well, instead of aluminum (for hammering) but the cold steel has no pommel so......oh well. The Fallkniven are a bit more expensive than the cold steel, so that is a down side.

Fallkniven has a VG-10 cent but the new San Mai III has a VG-1 core. The older San Mai III like I have has a AUS8 core.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Ya, caught my mistake after I sent it. I have the older SanMai trailmaster with the AUS8 core as well. have used it a lot for 6 years or more.....but I want a Gurhka Kukri as well for insane chopping power....