Couple questions about the steel on an up coming custom knife

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PatrickKnight

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Jan 24, 2012
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I am going to have a custom made here shortly and the maker uses both O1 and 1095. I have used 1095 a lot and I like it very much for the tasks I do. However my question is would it be worth it to go with O1 over 1095? What does O1 do better than 1095?

I am looking at this from a users perspective the maker said he is very comfortable with both steels.
 
O1 has low amount of vanadium and tungsten which would refines the grain size. I have experience using both SK4(very similar to1095) and O1. I think O1 hold an edge noticeable longer but also will rust a little easier.
 
O1 over 1095 if your maker has the heat treatment down pat.


Don't get me wrong, 1095 in the right hands is a great steel,

...but someone who has the higher alloyed O1 dialed in can produce a Savage blade.




Big Mike
 
I've got a SBW out of 1095. Its taken a serious beating and it's held up great. Big fan of 1095. I've also had some problems with O1 rusting in my pocket after a hard days work. Strange stuff
 
Well I will talk to him more about the steel he thinks would be better for the knife I am having made.

It will be a 4 inch convex grind full tang on 5/32 inch steel. This is going to be my primary woods knife.
 
I'd go 01 the rust comes on a little quicker like others said but if you keep on it then it's no biggy and it holds a serious edge that takes a good beating.
I had a custom tracker made and I chose 01 for my blade and I love it
 
O1 for the same reasons the other posters mentioned. Keep it reasonably clean and/or let it patina.

1095 can indeed make a good knife, but you have to remember that millions of people love it simply because millions of them have been sold... and that's mainly due to cost and ease of manufacturing. There are much, much better carbon steels available if you're going custom.
 
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