First production run ever. What steel would YOU like to see offered?

What steel would YOU like to see?

  • CPM 3V is just fine by itself.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • CPM S35VN is a great option.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • A2 is great and a more affordable option.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I prefer a steel not listed.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Who cares, just make some knives!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
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SURVIVE!

SURVIVE!

Joined
Jun 25, 2011
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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.
 
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i say 1095.

i cant wait for the knives to come out! keep us posted on how its coming along.
 
For fixed blades like the ones you'll be offering, I think CPM 3V is a fantastic choice. I'd be fine with just that; no need for CPM S35VN as well. :thumbup:
 
I have to admire the 1095 following. My only beef with 1095 is it offers no corrosion resistance at all. If that trend persists though, I may have to offer that as an option down the road. Just for you die hards. ;)
 
Die hard outdoor users don't have to worry about corrosion resistance. The knives get used so much that rust doesn't get a chance to form. Honestly, I don't feel the 5% chromium of A2 really makes it that much more resistant compared to a carbon steel with no chromium in it. For the most bang for the buck it's tough to beat good old 1095.

You could offer 440C as a cheaper alternative and keep the corrosion resistance you'd like to have.
 
cramsey3006 said:
Die hard outdoor users don't have to worry about corrosion resistance. The knives get used so much that rust doesn't get a chance to form. Honestly, I don't feel the 5% chromium of A2 really makes it that much more resistant compared to a carbon steel with no chromium in it. For the most bang for the buck it's tough to beat good old 1095.

You could offer 440C as a cheaper alternative and keep the corrosion resistance you'd like to have.
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Ok Die Hards. For those in the 1095 camp, do you prefer the handle area of the blade to be coated or do you accept the possible patina as the cost of doing business and prefer 1095 uncoated??
 
There's already a glut of 1095 knives on the market.D2 also. 3V has become popular but not as much so and it performs a whole lot better IMO. Even corrosion resistance is better.

A2 is a good choice as well, next rung down from 3V. O-1 and 5200 are always good performers but would likely do better with a coating of some sort.

Stainless? No comment from me. I try not to use it in fixed blades and wouldn't in folders if some of the above were available in production models that are affordable.
 
The Mastiff said:
There's already a glut of 1095 knives on the market.D2 also. 3V has become popular but not as much so and it performs a whole lot better IMO. Even corrosion resistance is better.

A2 is a good choice as well, next rung down from 3V. O-1 and 5200 are always good performers but would likely do better with a coating of some sort.

Stainless? No comment from me. I try not to use it in fixed blades and wouldn't in folders if some of the above were available in production models that are affordable.
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Those are some very valid and thoughtful opinions. Thank You for taking the time to comment.
 
survive-gear said:
Ok Die Hards. For those in the 1095 camp, do you prefer the handle area of the blade to be coated or do you accept the possible patina as the cost of doing business and prefer 1095 uncoated??
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If I had my druthers, I'd rather have an uncoated blade. Having said that, I don't let it influence my purchase. If I like the design, I buy it. I can always strip the coating if I desire. I can tell you that MANY of the Becker fans and the Condor fans strip the coating off of their carbon knives.

I can tell you that what I think really looks nice is a good gun blue on a knife blade. I cold blue carbon steel knives all the time.

Patina just adds character to a knife. Whenever I see a good used Old Hickory knife or a carbon steel military blade, I have to wonder just how old it is and what it's seen and where it's been.
 
cramsey3006 said:
If I had my druthers, I'd rather have an uncoated blade. Having said that, I don't let it influence my purchase. If I like the design, I buy it. I can always strip the coating if I desire. I can tell you that MANY of the Becker fans and the Condor fans strip the coating off of their carbon knives.

I can tell you that what I think really looks nice is a good gun blue on a knife blade. I cold blue carbon steel knives all the time.

Patina just adds character to a knife. Whenever I see a good used Old Hickory knife or a carbon steel military blade, I have to wonder just how old it is and what it's seen and where it's been.
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Awesome, good feedback. I personally agree with you about the character. I have several old carbon steel knives passed down in my family. Every time I use one I can't help but wonder when it was made, who was responsible for the different marks in it, and where all it has been.
 
I like 1095 as well as 52100 and 56xx(don't recall the last digits). For any of those, just coat the handle and keep the blade bare.

Actually, I'm quite a big 1095 and 52100 fan. And as my voting suggested, I would def like to see a2 offerings.
 
The only plus I really see from s35vn is that he can get it from the same company as 3v.
 
There's not a whole lot of CPM3V on the market,so it gets my vote.We already have alot of 1095 with Kabar/Becker and ESEE coming to mind.Bark River uses alot of A2.440C might make a nice cheaper stainless alternative,though it's no slouch with a good heat treat.That's my 2 cents.
 
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