First production run ever! What steel options would YOU like to see? Poll version 2.0

[SURVIVE!]

I am getting very close to production on my first three knife designs and am looking for some thoughts from anyone willing to comment. I posted photos of my designs in my last thread but if you would like to see them again for reference check out my site:http://www.survive-gear.com The models are the GSO-4,5 and 6.
When I started this project, I had envisioned offering just two steel options. CPM-S35VN for the stainless crowd and CPM-3V for those who wanted a tougher option. The down side is that neither of these steels are cheap. As it comes down to the wire, I am wondering what YOU might like to see offered. Up front I will say that I am going to be offering CPM-3V for certain. Is the one offering of 3V enough? Would you like a second exotic alloy option? Or would a more affordable steel like A2 be most interesting?
I know the most important factor is going to be heat treatment. As I stated in my last thread, Peters Heat Treat is going to be handling heat treating so it gets done right.
Just please try to keep your steel opinions limited to what you think you would like to see used for my MY KNIFE DESIGNS.

 

[Ankerson]

Peters can work with the Bohler steels like ELMAX and they know them well.

I would say:

3V, ELMAX or S35VN.

Makes no since in using a non stainless steel unless that steel really gives you something extra like better edge retention (10V) and or extreme toughness (3V).

With the great Stainless steels out now it don't make since not to use stainless unless you really get a lot out of it like 3V or 10V.

Just my opinion though.

 

[seelow123]

i had to vote for 1095.

the gso-4 with 1095 would be excellent!

 

[jay2pointoh]

I think A2 is a very well rounded steel. Not exotic though. I'm going out on a limb to suggest M390 and M4. As crazy as it sounds that's my vote and I'm sticking to it.

 

[SURVIVE!]

Peters can work with the Bohler steels like ELMAX and they know them well.

I would say:

3V, ELMAX or S35VN.

Makes no since in using a non stainless steel unless that steel really gives you something extra like better edge retention (10V) and or extreme toughness (3V).

With the great Stainless steels out now it don't make since not to use stainless unless you really get a lot out of it like 3V or 10V.

Just my opinion though.

There, now we have a more even offering for the poll at least. Yeah, when it comes down to it I'm more than likely going to offer the three models in two types of steel for this first run. The first run is going to be a fairly limited production. I want to get some knives in people's hands and get feedback to see if any fine tuning needs to happen. Thanks for presenting the Elmax option. It didn't really cross my mind.

 

[Ankerson]

There, now we have a more even offering for the poll at least. Yeah, when it comes down to it I'm more than likely going to offer the three models in two types of steel for this first run. The first run is going to be a fairly limited production. I want to get some knives in people's hands and get feedback to see if any fine tuning needs to happen. Thanks for presenting the Elmax option. It didn't really cross my mind.

One of your fellow Custom knife makers that lives not all that far away from you, Andrew Demko uses a lot of ELMAX and Peters HT.

And I know Peters has been working with Bohler on ELMAX and M390 for awhile now.

I have done a lot of testing with ELMAX personally and it's VERY tough, doesn't chip out and holds an edge well, and I doubt anyone would have rust issues with it, Peters will likely recommend 60.5 HRC for ELMAX and that would be great for your blades.

 

[jacksterp]

Can understand the cost differences between steels, but what do you think the final cost difference
would be between say 1095 and the most expensive steel?

 

[SURVIVE!]

Can understand the cost differences between steels, but what do you think the final cost difference
would be between say 1095 and the most expensive steel?

The raw steel can be as much as $25-30 more for the exotic alloys, depending on the size of the knife.

 

[jbob24]

I'm spoiled lately, so I said 3v, but elmax would be cool too

 

[SURVIVE!]

I'm spoiled lately, so I said 3v, but elmax would be cool too

Hahaha! Nothing wrong at all with that. A GSO-5 in CPM-3V is going to be my EDC. That's the first design I conceived and I'm in love with it.

 

[The Mastiff]

I don't mind 1095 at all in a knife. If I was trying to get some models onto the market I wouldn't choose 1095 though. You would be competing with everybody from schrade to tops, esee, ontario, kabar, maybe a few more.

3V in production? Bark River (* note specialized knives IMO)
Ferhman Very, very expensive, very high quality
ZT one model, 0100. not really camp oriented but good quality too. I have all of the above
as well as a couple of Customs in 3V.

That's about it. 52100. only Bussekin currently. Bark river no longer makes knives from 52100 for themselves or Marbles. 52100 is a top performer IMO

A2 and 0-1 are my next choices.

I'm not a stainless guy but I will agree with Ankerson's comments about Elmax. I have one I sharpened at various configurations all the way down to a zero edge. The edge stability is excellent for a steel in it's class. It's probably the cleanest stainless I've tried or is equal to BG42. It sharpens easier than BG42 though.

Joe

 

[SURVIVE!]

I don't mind 1095 at all in a knife. If I was trying to get some models onto the market I wouldn't choose 1095 though. You would be competing with everybody from schrade to tops, esee, ontario, kabar, maybe a few more.

3V in production? Bark River (* note specialized knives IMO)
Ferhman Very, very expensive, very high quality
ZT one model, 0100. not really camp oriented but good quality too. I have all of the above
as well as a couple of Customs in 3V.

That's about it. 52100. only Bussekin currently. Bark river no longer makes knives from 52100 for themselves or Marbles. 52100 is a top performer IMO

A2 and 0-1 are my next choices.

I'm not a stainless guy but I will agree with Ankerson's comments about Elmax. I have one I sharpened at various configurations all the way down to a zero edge. The edge stability is excellent for a steel in it's class. It's probably the cleanest stainless I've tried or is equal to BG42. It sharpens easier than BG42 though.

Joe

Yes, with all of the other 1095 knives out there I'm really surprised at it's unwavering popularity. The CPM-3V with an aim hardness of 58-59 is a material I'm using for sure. It's just a really ideal material for the type of knives I'm making. Thanks a bunch for that run down you layed out there. I really appreciate you taking the time to contribute to my thread.

 

[Ankerson]

Make 2 knives the same, one in 3V and the other in ELMAX, test them both and you will see what I mean.

 

[The Mastiff]

Yes, with all of the other 1095 knives out there I'm really surprised at it's unwavering popularity.

I'm not surprised. It is a good steel that outperforms in large knife type use steels like "stainless", "surgical stainless", "440", and all the other inexpensive type knives. You can get a very good performing knife in the $35 ( schrade) to the $60-90 range, with a few coming in higher. It's only been the last few years the different steels have opened up on the production scene. Ontario has 5160 now as standard in some lines. They have done S7 in the signature line. 3V is a top performer, as are the others mentioned and now beginning to be available to non custom buyers.

For years, going back to my youth 1095 was always there, and we all knew it's performance and ease of sharpening. I'm glad it's available and in the niche it has taken. You need to find your niche now though.

The CPM-3V with an aim hardness of 58-59 is a material I'm using for sure. It's just a really ideal material for the type of knives I'm making.

If I had to give up all my fixed blades and keep one it would likely be one in this steel. There's not much it doesn't do well except come in cheaply at the cash register.

By the way. Have you ever tried Cruware? It's crucibles take on Vascowear, 3V's uncle. It does everything a bit better than D2 except corrosion resistance. It makes great knives but nobody uses it. Knifemakers hate it, but us owners that have knives with it love it. Recall Gerber's "V" steel? Same stuff. Also, I wouldn't overlook M2 at 62-64, or CPM M4 at 62-64 ( lower a couple points if hard use knife). Good stuff!

Joe

 

[Shawn B.]

Elmax

 

[RevDevil]

Peters can work with the Bohler steels like ELMAX and they know them well.

I would say:

3V, ELMAX or S35VN.

Makes no since in using a non stainless steel unless that steel really gives you something extra like better edge retention (10V) and or extreme toughness (3V).

With the great Stainless steels out now it don't make since not to use stainless unless you really get a lot out of it like 3V or 10V.

Just my opinion though.

Sight unseen (your post) I voted for the exact same steels.

 

[harkamus]

3v, Elmax and A2. That should cover lots of price points, and all are great steels. Personally, I don't think you'd need any other steels than those 3.

Yes, with all of the other 1095 knives out there I'm really surprised at it's unwavering popularity.

1095 is no slouch of a steel. If done properly, it's absolutely amazing. I think it deserves more praise than people tend to give it.

 

[Ankerson]

Sight unseen (your post) I voted for the exact same steels.

That's interesting.

I just don't really see the point unless one is trying to keep the cost down, either for more profit and or a lower selling price.

Now there are some non stainless steels that are really up there like 10V, K294 and possibly K390 that do offer a lot of benefits along with 3V.

For me to want a non stainless blade it would have to offer something that can't be had in a stainless blade.

S110V if available would be a good replacement for 10V and K294 and ELMAX to replace 3V.

It's all opinions though really.

I wouldn't even think about 1095, 5160, 52100 etc these days personally with all the other steels available if I was buying a knife.

 

[kurodrago]

I don't give damn about money... Colbat for me.

 

[SURVIVE!]

That's interesting.

I just don't really see the point unless one is trying to keep the cost down, either for more profit and or a lower selling price.

Now there are some non stainless steels that are really up there like 10V, K294 and possibly K390 that do offer a lot of benefits along with 3V.

For me to want a non stainless blade it would have to offer something that can't be had in a stainless blade.

S110V if available would be a good replacement for 10V and K294 and ELMAX to replace 3V.

It's all opinions though really.

I wouldn't even think about 1095, 5160, 52100 etc these days personally with all the other steels available if I was buying a knife.

It crossed my mind to do my first run in something like A2 across the board, just to get my designs out there and to get some feedback. That would keep the cost waaay down ($6 a pound vs. $25-30 a pound) for an initial offering and still get really good knives into people's hands. Ultimately I'll be able to get more feedback from more people on possible improvements for a larger follow up run. $140-50 is a lot easier to swallow on a well made A2 blade than $250 for an exotic steel blade from a new company that nobody has heard of yet. Let people abuse the crap out of my models in A2, get some reviews, do fine tuning on the designs if need be. I don't know, it's just a thought.