Custom skinning knife steel question

gdpolk

gdpolk

Joined
Sep 19, 2011
Messages
461
If you were getting a custom skinning knife with a fairly thin hollow grind, which steel would you run from these two? The ability to take a SUPER FINE edge isn't as important, because in my opinion, hunting knives run a little better with a slightly toothy edge anyway.
  1. Elmax at 60-61HRc
  2. CPM S90V at 58-59 HRc
Priorities in order are:
  1. corrosion resistance
  2. edge retention
  3. durability
  4. ease of sharpening
 
exracr said:
I hear the SV30 steel is pretty nice? I don't have one yet though
Click to expand...

I've had S30V and it is nice. I'm looking for something with more edge retention which is why I've started looking at Elmax and S90V. I've got several Elmax blades and love them, but I've never owned an S90V blade.
 
I have knives in both steels and I prefer the S90V over Elmax but I am certainly fond of it too. Both could be used to make fine skinning knives by the right maker as could many other super steels. I have a custom filet knife and large game knife both from Big Chris in S90V, which is one of his favorite steels and one that he has extensive experience with. I would consider what experience the maker you plan to use with whatever steels you are considering.
 
A Big Chris skinner in S90V is just about as good as it gets, but he runs his at 60-61 HRc.

BCSH_zps530ee50f.jpg~original
 
I would pick S90V over ELMAX any time any day.
ELMAX will have the edge in toughness, but that should not be a real concern in a skinning knife.
S90V has much better edge retention which is really what you want in a skinning knife.
I have been told by several different people that separating the skin from the carcass is very rough on a knifes edge.
One outfitter I know in Texas that has an S90V knife of mine told me he cleaned, skinned, and deboned 4 pigs and 3 deer one weekend with only a couple passes on a strop needed to maintain a shaving edge. I have had similar reports from customers in other states as well.
S90V is my stainless steel of choice and really needs to be run at 60-61 Rc to get the most from the cutting and edge holding ability of the steel.
 
S90V is a great choice. For me, it depends on where I will be skinning the animal. At home where I have all my sharpening tools, I don't care how long it takes to bring an edge back. But, if in the field I either want it to stay sharp for very long or be able to quickly be brought back to the edge condition I need, quickly with simple sharpening tools. For the latter, I like 52100 and good old tool steels like 1095, 1084, O1, etc.


-X
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top