Forged vs Production Steel

[jeffbird]

How do the best ABS forged steels compare for cutting, durability, and edge retention performance to better production tool steels and “super” steels?

Aesthetics are easy to see a difference, but for an actual blade to use is there any advantage for the forged carbon steel blades? For sake of discussion, assume the best ABS quality, not some dude reworking a lawnmower blade on his habachi in the driveway.

I ask because the forged work has caught my eye lately, but performance quality matters more than aesthetics. Some trade off between the two is ok, but a signicant drop in performance is not really worth it to me.

Would like to hear from those that have used both, and wish Ankerson would test some of the forged work product.

Thanks.

 

[brownshoe]

There is no such thing as an ABS steel. Forged knives usually use steel that was manufactured by a big company. ABS members may make their own damascus out of manufactured steel. There is one guy up in the Northwest who actually makes his own steel, but that's pretty rare.

Most of what I've read indicates there is no distinct performance difference between a forged and stock removal blade, particularly if they are the same knife pattern, made of the same steel and have the same final heat treatment. However, some makers are quite adamant that a forged blade is better. Others are quite adamant that stainless is the best way to go for a knife and that is usually not forged.

 

[jeffbird]

Brownshoe,
thank you for the reply. I understand the ABS smiths use an array of steels and heat treat protocols just as do stock removals knife makers. It is a bit challenging to frame the question, but the ABS provides at least a baseline standard of high quality of workmanship, which is the reason for that reference point.

Just trying to ascertain whether the knifemaker forged blades are on the same level performance wise as stock removal blades from tool steels with quality heat treats assuming comparable blade size and geometry as a rough rule of thumb.

As mentioned, would be interesting if Ankerson and Noss put some forged blades through their tests for comparisons.