Cold Temp. Question

[Norrlander]

Hi guys, I'm new here. I lurked for a while reading threads to help me make my up my mind which large style survival blade to go with. Today I became the proud owner of an ESEE 6. It's my first ESEE and I confess I am in love. Thanks to all you ESEE nuts that helped me make this choice!

Now, I don't know very much about different steels, heat treatment etc. so I was hoping someone could help answer my question.

With Rowen 1095, how cold is too cold before the steel starts to become brittle?
I ask this because I live in Canada and bought the 6 with the expectation of using it during Moose/deer season. Main usage would be batoning wood, spliting pelvic bones (for quartering deer or moose), carving wood, and maybe some light chopping. The coldest temperature I have seen recently while moose hunting was -25*C (-13*F). It's not always that cold during Moose season, but it can happen. Conversly the warmest temp I've ever experienced was +15*C (59*F). So this has me curious what the safe temperature range is for this steel.

Appreciate any knowledge you can share, Thanks!

 

[dirtpig67]

I have used a RAT3 and Izula in Alaska down to temps of more than -40F with no ill effect. I would not worry about it as long as you are not using it as a pry bar.

All steel is going to be more brittle at lower temps. I cracked a manifold in a truck once when I started it up in -68F temps when the hot exhaust hit the cold metal of the manifold.

 

[Moosez45]

I ask this because I live in Canada and bought the 6 with the expectation of using it during Moose/deer season. Main usage would be batoning wood, spliting pelvic bones (for quartering deer or moose), carving wood, and maybe some light chopping.

OH, THE HORROR!!! NO!! Don't do that. Go kill and cut up bears or something, just not the moose.

I was kidding, moose tastes gooooood!!

I don't think you will have to worry much on the cold, granted the metal gets a little tighter when its that cold, but for cutting you should be fine. Watch the lateral force thought. It should cut better too.

Seriously, lay of the moose.

:thumbup:

Welcome to the ESEE forum and Bladeforums. Glad you're here.

Moose

 

[Norrlander]

I have used a RAT3 and Izula in Alaska down to temps of more than -40F with no ill effect. I would not worry about it as long as you are not using it as a pry bar.

All steel is going to be more brittle at lower temps. I cracked a manifold in a truck once when I started it up in -68F temps when the hot exhaust hit the cold metal of the manifold.

Man I know whar -68F feels like, and I will never forget it. That was the coldest temperature I've ever seen on a thermometer in my life. I was 14 yrs old and I had to go out to do chores. Needless to say I got my chores done pretty fast, but it did take a few sprints from the barn to the house and back to keep warm! I've never seen anything that cold ever since, but weeks of -40F is common here.

 

[Norrlander]

OH, THE HORROR!!! NO!! Don't do that. Go kill and cut up bears or something, just not the moose.

I was kidding, moose tastes gooooood!!

I don't think you will have to worry much on the cold, granted the metal gets a little tighter when its that cold, but for cutting you should be fine. Watch the lateral force thought. It should cut better too.

Seriously, lay of the moose.

:thumbup:

Welcome to the ESEE forum and Bladeforums. Glad you're here.

Moose

Haha, you better lay low during Moose season Moosez, I like the look of that rack!
...and Moose does taste good!

 

[Dizwolf]

I've used my 6 for extended periods around 0F. Didn't notice any ill effects. I was splitting frozen oak/maple/etc rounds into kindling. Only thing to watch out for is to not drive it into ice. You could sheath it under a layer to keep the blade mostly warm, but I'm generally too lazy for that.