Does different tasks dull knifes differently

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Jan 5, 2017
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Hi there. New here.
The title might be a little confusing, but let me clarify.
I have heard (and seen in a video) that 1095 carbon steel dulls faster than 8cr13mov.
I know heat treatment plays a big role, but they are both from respected brands and 1095 is a much more expensive steel. So that surprised me.
But then a got thinking. Does cutting and chopping dull the knife differently?
So 8cr13mov might have better edge retention for cutting, but 1095 might keep an edge longer while chopping.

1095 is a good steel for a survival knife. So i was thinking, does 8cr13mov flatten more easily when chopping then carbon steel?
I know 1095 durable, so you can beat it up more than 8cr13mov and it's more likely to role rather than chip, but what good is a dull knife?

wouldn't a thick heavy duty stainless knife be better as a survival knife than carbon steel?

Thanks
 
The steel may be the heart of the knife but it is not the only factor in the price. There is a huge list of other components that factor in the final price.

As far as what is better? You can't get a straight definitive answer because it all comes down to preference, user skill and how it's used.

Remember, your not just buying a hunk of steel but a finished product. From my personal experience most of those more expensive 1095 knives are just better products which means better knives overall. YMMV but I enjoyed the 1095 Becker and Rat knife more then my budget schrade knives even though technically the schrade would hold a longer working edge.

Edge holding endurance is not the ultimate end all be all test in performance either. Again it's one component and has a trade off with other factors. Especially if you staying within a budget, then you really have to be more selective with what attributes suit your preferences.
 
That makes sense. Thanks for the reply.
But still, the difference between chopping and cutting.
Is it so that you can test 2 good quality knifes, and come to a conclusion that KnifeA holdes a better edge for cutting, but KnifeB holdes a better edge for chopping.
Is that a thing, or is edge retention the same for whatever task you give it. So that 2 knifes that dulls at the same rate cutting cardboard will also dull at the same rate while cutting or chopping anything else.
 
Even dulling by cutting can happen differently on different steels. You can abrade the edge, you can chip it out, or you can roll it. Steel and geometry both affect how dulling happens and from what material at what rates.

And chopping and slicing definitely affect the edge in different ways.
 
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The price of metals does not scale with quality.They each have their own advantages and pitfalls.

1095 is a softer metal, however it is easy to sharpen on a river rock, which is a great quality for survival. While CPM3V holds an excellent edge, but good luck sharpening it without the proper stones, and is better suited for camp chores over a weekend.

For a little bump in quality you pay alot more for the material. I mean if you do an activity that is going to stress the edge it is going to dull, but depending on the metal it can dull more slowly.

I would recommend looking up Dutch Bushcraft Knives Video on this topic. They do a great job explaining this in depth for each kind of steel, and some reasons to get certain types of steel whether carbon or stainless.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
Great thanks. Now carbon steel makes more sense to me.

Good tip on that youtube channel. :thumbup:
Just watched a destruction video (or at least they tried) of a Mora Robust. Good fun and informative.
I subscribed to them.
 
Oh, another quick question.
What makes the following first knife so much more expansive than the second knife?
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Brous-T4-Tanium-Design-Flipper--23433
http://www.bladehq.com/item--Viper-Knives-Italo-Flipper-Liner--49493

They both have carbon handle scales and they both have titanium liners and both drop points with flippers. Also use the same lock type.
As far as i can see it's only the blade material that's different. But damn, if that's the only difference, then exotic steels really are overpriced.
Is there something i am missing?
I know D2 is a tool steel, so i guess that's the reason. I just feel like i am missing something.
 
Look at the carbides ! Each type of carbide has different hardness and wear resistance . Vanadium, tungsten , molybdenum are some of the hard ones . Iron and chromium are the softer ones ! Other factors are there too.
 
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