Cold Steel vs Tool Steel

Ben Dover

Ben Dover

Joined
Aug 2, 2006
Messages
2,809
There's been a lot of discussion about Cold Steel and the demise of "Carbon V."

Since my Master Hunter and SRK are high quality knives, and both are Carbon V, this concerns me.

But the more I think about it, wouldn't it be great if Lynn Thompson had someone make all of these blades in a new "premium" line from M-2, A-2 or D-2 steel?

I would love to have a CS Trailmaster in D-2.

Do ya think that if enough of us e-mailed him...........

Ben
 
Wouldn't tool steel be a bit brittle for a Trail Master size blade?
 
ehhh said:
Wouldn't tool steel be a bit brittle for a Trail Master size blade?
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Yeah, I would think D2 would be a poor choice for a Trail Master. I beleive Swamp Rat found it to not be good in knives over 6 inches or so. They are better off sticking to some type of carbon steel.
 
A2 would likely be the best choice, more toughness, easier to sharpen, etc. than D2 or M2. It's also pretty cheap and widely available.
 
sodak said:
Great for the trailmaster, and M2 HSS as hard as possible for smaller blades. I'd be happy.
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I don't know anything about 5160, but I sure would like for them to offer their small blades like the Voyager in M-2 HSS hardened to somewhere around HRC 65.:D

If D-2 is too brittle for a big knife, what about A-2 or O-1? Someone mentioned A-2 as a better alternative. I didn't know there was very much difference between A-2 ans D-2.:confused: (But OTOH, there's a helluva lot I DON'T know about steel:( )

Aren't the big Randalls made from O-1??
 
yeah Randalls are O1 tool steel. A2 is used on the large 9" Chris Reeve knives (Jereboam, Shadow, Sable) and on some upcoming big Bark Rivers. Pretty tough stuff.
5160 is a spring steel -- mucho mucho tough.
 
Ben Dover said:
I don't know anything about 5160, but I sure would like for them to offer their small blades like the Voyager in M-2 HSS hardened to somewhere around HRC 65.:D

If D-2 is too brittle for a big knife, what about A-2 or O-1? Someone mentioned A-2 as a better alternative. I didn't know there was very much difference between A-2 ans D-2.:confused: (But OTOH, there's a helluva lot I DON'T know about steel:( )

Aren't the big Randalls made from O-1??
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A2, D2, M2, and O1 are the most commonly used tool steels. D2 is by far the biggest seller, used for high wear resistance; M2 is what you use for high speed, I don't completely understand O1, I guess it's for simple parts if you want to spend less money on steel; and A2 is what you switch to if D2 isn't tough enough. A2 is some pretty tough stuff.
 
Waco Kid said:
yeah Randalls are O1 tool steel. A2 is used on the large 9" Chris Reeve knives (Jereboam, Shadow, Sable) and on some upcoming big Bark Rivers. Pretty tough stuff.
5160 is a spring steel -- mucho mucho tough.
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It's used on the majority of BRKTs, if I remember right. Heckuva cutting steel.
 
Sword and Shield said:
It's used on the majority of BRKTs, if I remember right. Heckuva cutting steel.
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yup. You're totally right-o. And the entire Chris Reeve One-Piece line is A2 also.
My wording just sucks. I was just trying to give examples of Large blades that are A2.


-kid
 
mr.trooper said:
D2 would suck on a trailmaster. Differantualy tempered O1 or A2 or even 1095 would be awesome.
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As W2 is not available anymore in "industrial quantities'". i think W1 would be a good choice.
 
Well,

Whatever they eventually come up with, I sure hope it's as good (or better:D ) as the Carbon V in my SRK and Master Hunter. Those are awesome blades for the money.

And yes, I know! I should have acquired a trailmaster years ago.:o

Maybe after I get my first Dozier, I'll look for a used one!:D
 
I am a big fan of 5160 and O1 and always wondered why more knives are not made from them especially folders? Well because they need to be oil quenched it makes industrial production much more complicated than air hardening steels.
 
hehh what makes you guys think they will be no more carbon v stuff............?

just because camillius made it for them dont mean somebody else ...........ina distant land.........cant make it for them too.
 
Unsub said:
I am a big fan of 5160 and O1 and always wondered why more knives are not made from them especially folders? Well because they need to be oil quenched it makes industrial production much more complicated than air hardening steels.
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For production knife making they generally need to be air hardening because that's what they are set up for. One more reason: it's not good to have moving parts that are rusting.
 
a stainless model in s30v might be interesting but might not hold up well. s30v san mai would be cool.
 
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