Difference of Steels

[OleyFermo]

The biggest difference in 1095 and 5160 depends on how it is heat treated, 1095 can get to 66 HRC and makes a very nice light duty knife. It can be spring tempered as well but there are better steels for that because the carbon content in 1095 is too high, the type of martensite formed is brittle and the temper has to be drawn too much to avoid 500F embrittlement. In short, 5160 is a better large blade steel and 1095 a nice smaller blade steel.

-Cliff

Hi, Cliff

I have to disagree with you when you say that 1095 is too brittle for use in large blades. I've used both 5160 and 1095 extensively since around 1970, and I find 1095 (assuming proper heat treat) is just as tough as 5160. It will also hold an edge a *lot* longer. I don't find sharpening an issue with either steel at any given hardness.

If my testing, a lot of which is extreme, gave me any clear indication that 5160 is superior in any fashion to 1095, that's what I'd be using in my blades. 5160 is easier to forge, a lot more forgiving in the quench, less expensive and easier to come by.

Just my $.0000002 worth.

Jimmy Fikes