Custom "Larry Dula" with 1011 steel

M

mes228

Joined
Feb 9, 2004
Messages
47
I purchased a custom fixed blade hunter made by "Larry Dula" of Lenoir N.C.
The steel used was "1011". I was told that 1011 is well liked by some West Virginia knifemakers but I've never heard of it. I am looking for comments/information on both steel and maker. Knife seems to be pretty good quality, has a really good edge, and the sheath is a quality item by "Sherry Lott". Dula makes mostly traditional Hawks and knives for re-inactors and Mountain Man types. This knife is more modern with up-swept skinning blade, hidden tang and camel bone handle with silver hilt. Any comments both good or bad on the steel or maker would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for replying. Best regards and have a great day.
 
There are only two 1011 steels that I know of. One is AISI 1011 and the other is ASTM A-1011. Both of these steels have only around 10% carbon content so they are not going to get very hard. I don't think I have ever heard of knives being made from either of these steels.
 
Keith,
Actually, if the steel in question is being designated by the Unified Numbering System (such as 1084), then the carbon content would be approximately 0.11%.

That would make it mild steel. As a general rule the absolute minimum amount of carbon (for a knife) would be 0.40%.
 
I thought I'd better come back before we get mes228 in a dither. The numbering system that I mentioned is just one of several systems for classifying steels. The steel you mentioned may or may not be classified by that system. I'm just not familiar with it.

However, for future reference, here's how that system works.

The UNS uses a series of 4 to 5 digits to classify steels according to:
  • The primary alloying element.
  • The approximate content of the primary alloying element.
  • The approximate carbon content in hundredths of one percent.

The classification numbers for the primary alloying element ( the first number ) are:
  • 1 - Plain Carbon (not an alloy steel)
  • 2 - Nickel
  • 3 - Chromium and Nickel
  • 4 - Molybdenum
  • 5 - Chromium
  • 6 - Chromium and Vanadium
  • 7 - Tungsten
  • 8 - Nickel, Chromium and Molybdenum
  • 9 - Silicon and Manganese

So if the 1011 steel is being classified by this system, then it would read:
  • 1 - it is a plain carbon steel (non-alloy)
  • 0 - it contains no significant alloying element
  • 11 - it has approximately 0.11% Carbon (11 one hundredths of one percent)

Another example with 52100:
  • 5 - the primary alloying element is Chromium
  • 2 - it contains approximately 2.0% Chromium
  • 100 - it has approximately 1.0% Carbon (100 one hundredths of one percent)
 
I meant .10% not 10%.
pat.gif
 
Mr. Dula told me the steel was a "high carbon" steel. Perhaps I (or Mr. Dula) have reversed the numbers? Could it be "1110" steel - thus indicating 1% carbon steel?? I guess I'll have to look up his number and give him a call. I purchased the knife at the Richmond Gun Show and just chatted with him while admiring it. I hope it has more carbon than 1/10 % - it would be a shame to exert all that effort and skill on a junk material. Thanks for the replys.
 
Actually, that would still indicate that there was only .10% carbon. Maybe this is not an AISI steel that was used and the numbers have a different meaning. The maker should be able to let you know for sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top