Agree
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elmax vs 1095cv vs 5160?
- Thread starter battboy
- Start date
Agree
[referencing Me2's post NO. 20, where he asked why I say 3V is tougher than 5160]
As I said, heat treatment and geometry will likely be more important, and as you know, it's difficult to find a single source that references all knife steels in a way that is fair and consistent. So we weigh the evidence as best we can and form our opinions. Even Crucible has published comparographs that show 3V as being a lot tougher than S35VN or not quite as tough, although usually 3V is considered much tougher than S35VN. And, in fact, either 3V or 5160 can be tougher depending on the heat treat/hardness. 5160 is close to L6 in toughness, but 3V at 58 Rc is an absolute beast. And generally, from what I've seen, 3V is going to be tougher than 5160 and it will hold an edge a lot better.
You can also check out the information that Chiral provided in another thread (Post 27), which contains some Charpy data and yet another comparograph.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...comparison-to-BRKT-Bravo-1-amp-Swamp-Rat-HRLM
And, as I said, if you need anything tougher than 5160 or 3V or Elmax, go with S7 or one of the other speciality impact steels. But for a super tough knife with good wear resistance, 3V will beat 5160 hands down.
As I said, heat treatment and geometry will likely be more important, and as you know, it's difficult to find a single source that references all knife steels in a way that is fair and consistent. So we weigh the evidence as best we can and form our opinions. Even Crucible has published comparographs that show 3V as being a lot tougher than S35VN or not quite as tough, although usually 3V is considered much tougher than S35VN. And, in fact, either 3V or 5160 can be tougher depending on the heat treat/hardness. 5160 is close to L6 in toughness, but 3V at 58 Rc is an absolute beast. And generally, from what I've seen, 3V is going to be tougher than 5160 and it will hold an edge a lot better.
You can also check out the information that Chiral provided in another thread (Post 27), which contains some Charpy data and yet another comparograph.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...comparison-to-BRKT-Bravo-1-amp-Swamp-Rat-HRLM
And, as I said, if you need anything tougher than 5160 or 3V or Elmax, go with S7 or one of the other speciality impact steels. But for a super tough knife with good wear resistance, 3V will beat 5160 hands down.
Buck and Ka-Bar both do a great job with the steels mentioned, and both build quality knives.
I have no experience with the Elmax blade in question, but, properly done, Elmax would be my choice as a knife blade steel.
Of course, the Elmax blank must be completed (handle, sheath, final edge) to be a useful tool.
Big Mike
I have no experience with the Elmax blade in question, but, properly done, Elmax would be my choice as a knife blade steel.
Of course, the Elmax blank must be completed (handle, sheath, final edge) to be a useful tool.
Big Mike
For wear resistance, no question. For toughness, it's all in the heat treatment. 5160 has only the carbon to deal with, while 3V has carbon and the significant carbide volume.
I am highly skeptical of those comparographs as a rule. Charpy data is extremely difficult to compare from different sources on the internet. Even 3 samples from the same piece of steel can have a + or - over 20% from the average. In any case, it's out of this thread, so I'm off.
I am highly skeptical of those comparographs as a rule. Charpy data is extremely difficult to compare from different sources on the internet. Even 3 samples from the same piece of steel can have a + or - over 20% from the average. In any case, it's out of this thread, so I'm off.
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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For the the OP wants it's NOT going to matter all that much.. Medium sized blade, all around camp knife etc....
For a chopper then yeah things might be different, I would recommend A2... With a good HT it would be pretty much indestructible with a reasonable blade geometry.... Great for ham fisted people....
