Does it annoy you when people call 1095Cro-Van 1095?

J

jmflem

Joined
Feb 1, 2014
Messages
373
Like the title says, does it annoy you? It seems to me people seem underestimate KA-BARs since they just have "1095", when in reality they have better steel than that. Maybe it's just me but it annoys me.
 
jmflem said:
Does it annoy you when people call 1095Cro-Van 1095?
Like the title says, does it annoy you? It seems to me people seem underestimate KA-BARs since they just have "1095", when in reality they have better steel than that. Maybe it's just me but it annoys me.
Click to expand...

I'm an aerospace Materials and Process engineer. Identifying materials by their exact name is a central requirement. So yes, it drives me nuts when folks don't properly identify blade steels. Moreover, it is irritating it makes a difference in the performance.
 
I'm probably guilty regarding this, though I honestly don't know a whole ton about different steels. Actually, up until last month I didn't know much beyond carbon and stainless steel, and even then I just knew that stainless steel was less prone to rusting. Now I'm finding out there's all sorts of different ones, and I'm trying to figure out what's what and how each one performs.

So, newb question, but what are the differences between the two?
 
no it doesnt annoy me. Rather negligent in my opinion. If you know anything about blades, you know who does, and doesnt use cro van.

I find it annoying, that your annoyance, annoys me.

How about that?
 
The majority of people I talk about knives with in real life aren't really aware that there is anything other than steel. :(
 
As many of my friends that actually use knives as tools on a daily basis in their work as carpenters, electricians, installers, cabinet makers, etc., about all they know is "boy that stuff is sure hard!" or that a steel rusts or doesn't rust. As tool users, they are more interested in how well the tool works and lasts, not the internals. They don't care about the exact name of the steel, where the steel was made, how it was made, who it was purchased from, its Rockwell hardness, whether it was cryo tempered, or if it has 1% more cobalt than the knife model it replaced. I might, but they sure don't.

My hunting and fishing buddies are a bit different, but they all use knives they have had for decades and are not collectors. They all use favorite knives from different sources and times. I can't imagine me telling one of my friends "no way that is 5160, that is 1087 or maybe even 1084 depending on when it was made" and hearing the end of that remark before the night was over.

They call me when they are looking for a knife and ask me to help them pick it out. They don't want to learn exact industry nomenclature, they are simply looking for a reliable cutting tool. So no, I don't expect folks to be knife steel savvy.

I do however expect them to use the correct terminology and exact product names/labeling when specifying materials when outlining scope of work, etc. for my jobs or repairs.

In other words, it is just fine with me if my buddies are only experts in their specific field of expertise. But if they are not someone I am doing business with or my friends, I don't pay much attention to people as I usually have plenty of other things to do rather than to worry about someone making an honest mistake or trying to appear more knowledgeable than they are.

Guess I should care more... I just don't.

Robert
 
Last edited:
Most users and enthusiasts on forums don't know **** about steel and metallurgy. Myths, lies and misconceptions are more common than knowledge. So wrong naming doesen't impress me much :D
 
Just like calling knife in 440C 440, it is correct but not accurate. If you buy a car with a sport tuned turbo 4 cylinder engine, do you just call it your car with a 4 cylinder? You shouldn't, because there is a big difference between a normal 4 and a tuned turbo 4, same as how 440A and 440C are both 440 steels, but wildly different.
 
Being annoyed by something so trivial seems odd to me. Do you really give other people that much power over you?
 
I try not to let it bother me as long as the person making the mistake has made an honest mistake and that is apparent. If someone is completely off on what steel is being used then I more than likely will point it out (for example confusing aus-8 with 8cr13mov) but if they forget a C or V and their supporting text seems to indicate that besides the minor flub they know what they are talking about I let it go.
 
Wolf1775 said:
I'm probably guilty regarding this, though I honestly don't know a whole ton about different steels. Actually, up until last month I didn't know much beyond carbon and stainless steel, and even then I just knew that stainless steel was less prone to rusting. Now I'm finding out there's all sorts of different ones, and I'm trying to figure out what's what and how each one performs.

So, newb question, but what are the differences between the two?
Click to expand...


I'm no steel expert, and I don't claim to be one. I've only been collecting knives for a little over a year. But this is what I know: 1095CroVan has added Chromium (Cro) and Vandium (Van). According to Spyderco.com this is what they do:

Chromium (Cr)
• Increases hardness, tensile strength, and toughness.
• Provides resistance to wear and corrosion.

Vanadium (V)
• Increases strength, wear resistance, and increases toughness.
 
Never thought about it one way or another as if I like a blade I like and if not I don't buy anymore with that steel that was called wrong.!** Very simple^^^^^^
 
jmflem said:
Like the title says, does it annoy you? It seems to me people seem underestimate KA-BARs since they just have "1095", when in reality they have better steel than that. Maybe it's just me but it annoys me.
Click to expand...

If it's a knife I like and care about, I already know what the steel is or can quickly look it up for myself. So some minor imprecision when someone is speaking or writing in an informal setting doesn't bother me one bit.

And for the record, I think the 'plain' 1095 used by original Schrade knives performs better than Case's CV. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top