Elmax or 3v

IABIGBUCKGUY

IABIGBUCKGUY

Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
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I'm going to pull the trigger on a new Bark River Gunny for genral hunting and camping use. But I'm having trouble deciding between the 3v and the Elmax steel. Help me decide which steel to order the gunny in and why.
 
Elmax is super tough and stainless.

3V is even tougher, but not stainless.
 
If its going to be exposed to the elements and/or if you have a tendency to neglect your knives then elmax. If you want a tougher blade and corrosion resistance isnt paramount then the 3V. But either way, if you buy BRK you really dont need to worry much about anything. It could have a blade made of tin foil and somehow they would make it work.
 
LBoth are excellent steels... For what it is worth Mike Stewart (owner of Bark River) himself has stated that 3V is the all around best knife steel there is. I read it in his subforum of KF. That was maybe two years ago. His feelings may have changed since but I havent seen much to say otherwise. He is very active there and I am sure if you asked, he would guide you to the correct choice.

Also I have tried my hardest to force a patina on 3V and exposure to every friggen food item, raw meat, condiments and vinegar didnt leave a single spot on it. Guy from Survive Knives left a 3V blade on the exterior window sill of his shop for a month or so, exposed to the elements. It corroded, but cleaned up bretty damned well considering its a carbon steel. With 7.5% chromium and 2.75% vanadium 3V is alloyed enough to probably be considered a semi-stainless. Its vanadium will form carbides and leave some free chromium to increase corrosion resistance. The CPM manufacturing process yeilds very fine grain structure and nearly homogenous distribution of each element in the steel, which increases corrosion resistance too.

3V is my favorite steel for fixed blades and I would love to see some folders made of it.
 
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I have a couple Big Chris 3V knives and really couldn't be happier.
I haven't even had an issue with any rusting or staining, and I am not the best at cleaning a knife after use.
 
Riz2530 said:
3V is my favorite steel for fixed blades and I would love to see some folders made of it.
Click to expand...

Here ya go, friend. I've had two of these, but sold one as a dope. Spyderco TUFF...
This is a great folder...designed to be a "fixed blade that folds"...
...usually can be found nearly as-new on the Exchange for about $200. Highly reco'd for really TUFF work.
 
That is the only production folder that I know of that has a 3V blade... And sadly I think that is the most hideous looking knife!
 
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