Feasibility of H-1 Scaled Frame Lock?

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nilfire77

Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Messages
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I understand that titanium is commonly used for knife handles due to its
strength, light weight and corrosion resistance.

It suddenly struck me that why hasn't H-1 been used as a material for
knife handles? It is rust-proof, and stronger than titanium I suppose. The
only con is the weight. But when it comes to wear resistance(lock bar on
blade tang) on frame/liner locks, it definitely does better than titanium.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

So, let's just say if Spyderco produces a high-end SALT series of frame
lock folder that is constructed entirely of H-1 steel(blade, pivot, screws,
handle scales, pocket clip, everything!), what would be your reaction?
 
I would say it was pretty neat but curious how lock-up will be down the road since I've read several times that H-1 is work-hardened. I don't know if it would sell more than the lockbacks they already have with H-1. I think they could make a beefy H-1 lockback along the lines of the Chinooks and original Manix that would be stronger than the theoretical H-1 framelock, as well as lighter and cheaper for them to produce.
 
H1 might not have the springy qualities necessary for a framelock. Or for the pocket clip (all Salt folders except the earliest ones have titanium clips).
 
I don't see the point in this. There are levels of other stainless steels that are very corrosion resistant (300 series comes to mind). The salt series is meant to be inexpensive because you can imagine ticked off you would be if you dropped a $100+ H1 framelock off the side of a boat. Besides, FRN handles temperature changes very well and when you've ever picked up a framelock that has been in freezing or hot conditions, you'll realize why they go with the FRN.

That's also part of the reason why I don't buy framelocks, on the roof in the sun gets them very hot and it's not very pleasant. Sorry about going off on discussion. :)
 
Planterz said:
H1 might not have the springy qualities necessary for a framelock. Or for the pocket clip (all Salt folders except the earliest ones have titanium clips).
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Yeh, I'm wondering even if it's springy at first, and since it's a work hardening "steel", won't the part that bends get harder with more bending?
 
ibute21 said:
I don't see the point in this. There are levels of other stainless steels that are very corrosion resistant (300 series comes to mind). The salt series is meant to be inexpensive because you can imagine ticked off you would be if you dropped a $100+ H1 framelock off the side of a boat. Besides, FRN handles temperature changes very well and when you've ever picked up a framelock that has been in freezing or hot conditions, you'll realize why they go with the FRN.

That's also part of the reason why I don't buy framelocks, on the roof in the sun gets them very hot and it's not very pleasant. Sorry about going off on discussion. :)
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You made a very good point there.
 
nilfire77 said:
There are lots of steel frame/liner lock folders from the lower end spydercos/byrd that are doing ok.
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And they use steel that's optimal for framelocks and linerlocks. Steel that would make for very poor blade material. The reverse could very well be true about H1. While there are instances of blade steels used for springs (and vice versa), H1 is a very different steel than others. It's not made like other steels, it's not hardened like other steels, and it doesn't quite act like other steels. In fact, it's technically not even a steel. I honestly have no idea how it'd work in a framelock. But I wouldn't be surprised if it was entirely inappropriate.
 
Planterz said:
And they use steel that's optimal for framelocks and linerlocks. Steel that would make for very poor blade material. The reverse could very well be true about H1. While there are instances of blade steels used for springs (and vice versa), H1 is a very different steel than others. It's not made like other steels, it's not hardened like other steels, and it doesn't quite act like other steels. In fact, it's technically not even a steel. I honestly have no idea how it'd work in a framelock. But I wouldn't be surprised if it was entirely inappropriate.
Click to expand...

If there was a sprint run of a Sage 2 in full H-1 flavor, I would put my cash down on it without batting an eyelid!
 
Planterz said:
In fact, it's technically not even a steel.
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I thought to define an alloy as steel it only has to contain carbon and iron? according to spyderco's website it still has .15% carbon, so it's not much, hell it's half the amount as mild steel but still steel I think.

I think that steel handles in a slick environment might not be the best idea, even with a wrist thong it'll still slip, with knurling or some kind of texturing it might be too grippy and tear up your hands or gloves, IDK I think the FRN
 
It would be too expensive considering you don't need the handles to be blades. There are softer steels that are more corrosion resistant that work perfectly for the handles, but wouldn't work for a blade. H-1 is well-known for being corrosion resistant as a blade steel, but there are other steels that work better for this application. IIRC there was a Salt that had stainless steel handles, the original Atlantic. But I don't think they made the handles out of H-1.
 
Titanium is used for handles especially in frame locks because it is nearly perfect as a handle material. Titanium is immune to corrosion H1 is not, while it is highly corrosion resistant it can and will rust. Titanium is going to need boiling sea water or some types of boiling or near boiling industrial acids before it corrodes. Regular sea water, water, many industrial acids and solvents simply will not phase it. Titanium is also incredibly tough because it is softer say somewhere around 35/36 Rockwell C for typical 6Al4V Grade 5 from what I've read now there is some STA 6Al4V Grade 5 that is harder say around 41 Rockwell C. On a final note titanium because of its incredible toughness is also pretty good at abrasion resistance. Try sanding some titanium and let me know how that works out for you, its like trying to sand bubble gum.

Titanium is also springy as some here have said is very good at dealing with lateral force something a knife handle needs particularly a frame lock needs to be good at, especially for the knuckle heads that like to pry. In short titanium is really good for knife handles, that why it is used for them. Kinda like H1 is really good as a highly corrosion resistant blade steel. Probably not so good for a handle material. The qualities of a material that make a good handle or different than the qualities of a material that make a good handle.
 
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