Cryogenic heat treatment?

[formerlycowboyup0669]

I have a Sog Seal Pup Elite and a SuperSog bowie, both of which I really like for different uses and different reasons. The Seal Pup Elite does have the cryo heat treat and the Super Bowie does not. I really havn't noticed a big difference but then they are very different knives for different purposes . I'm thinking about picking up a Recon 2.0 and or a Seal team for hard use and again, one does have the cryo treat and one does not. I'm wondering why the cryo treatment is done to some models and not others and how will it affect the knife as a hard use field knife?
Thanks!
John

 

[Bo T]

I am not familiar with the SOG models listed but I know a little bit about cryogenic treatment. Depending on the steel, cryo can increase the hardness of a blade at a given temper by converting RA to a harder martensite, or increase the number of carbides that are formed in the steel thereby increasing wear resistance, or both. This in turn will decrease the impact resistance of the steel (durability). A longer hard use blade might be better for its intended purpose by increasing durability at the price of a lower hardness and a decreased wear resistance. Note: I have a SOG Paratool (since the early 90's) and I think it is great.