H1 Steel versus G-2 in Salt Water

M

MasterExploder

Joined
Jun 2, 2009
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116
I have a beater Endura with G-2 steel that I decided to put up against my Pacific Salt in a cup of very salty water, with the blades only submerged.

The most surprising part is that the black etching in the "1" of the "H1" on the Pacific Salt came away in a cloud of rust very quickly.

Other than that, the knife seems rust-proof as claimed.

Less than 48 hours after immersion, the salt had crept up into the action on the Endura, but was barely clinging to the blade on the H1 steel on the Pacific Salt.

I figured that someone else might be interested, so I took a few photos. I love my multiple Enduras and Lil Temperance, but the Pacific Salt is very impressive.

h1test.jpg

h1test2.jpg

h1test3.jpg

h1test4.jpg

h1test5.jpg
 
Nice comparison. I wonder what it was about the number 1 that got the rust?
 
MasterExploder is my brother (I can't believe I wrote that) and we have been talking about the H1 steel a lot since we both recently acquired a model that uses it. He got the Pacific Salt and I got a Rock Salt. We have seen one other post about the 1 in the H1 rusting on another Salt knife and he (and me) kind of wanted to see for ourselves.

Kind of funny to create a line of knives with a steel that doesn't have the ability to rust and label only 1 of the 2 characters with a substance that can. The good thing is that it is no big deal since it just rubs off if it ever does rust on you. I'm extremely impressed with H1 so far and I have to stop short on talking about how happy I am with the Rock Salt specifically because I have been told I have a problem. ;)
 
I agree. H1 is a breakthrough steel for many uses. I have two Spyderco H1 knives that I use for fishing but I also EDC my Salt 1 often. Good experiment . . .
 
Thanks Reeek and Shanklick. The Endura has been cleaned and oiled and is ready for more hard-core action.
It's hard to keep a Spyderco down!

I like the H1 steel a lot. Even though rust has never been a big issue for me, it is nice to know that it won't happen under even the worst circumstances.

The Rock salt is going to be my next knife, then back to that rather nice, carbon-based steel that Spyderco uses in the P'Kal. :-)
 
Nice test. Rust has been a problem for me and the H1 steel has definitly made my life easier. I live in the deep south, on the coast. Humidity and salt water make it hard to keep a knife from rusting, without oiling them religiously.
 
From what I understand, the rust you are getting in the H1 logo is from the bit that engraved it. It's actual little bits of non-H1 steel that is left over from when they mark the blade. I know both of my H1 knives rusted at the logo, but once wiped away, it shouldn't be an issue again.

Love me some H-1:thumbup:
 
H1 is not only rust proof, but incredibly durable. I think of it as a rust proof and less expensive INFI. Trade some of the edge retention away for a lower cost and total protection against corrosion. :thumbup:
 
I live on the S. Texas coast where we have 95+ degrees and 90% humidity daily. And I fish the salt water bays as well as the Gulf just about every weekend and my Pacific Salt is the only knife I'll take with me. For years I've been going fishing and coming back with rusty knives and H1 is the only steel that has held up. Of course I have experienced the "rusty" 1 on the logo but for the most part the knife has held up very well. H1 doesn't hold an edge like some of the higher carbon stainless steels but it still holds a decent edge and works fine for use it sees. It's a great steel when you expect to go up against a harsh environment.
 
That didn't take long, a Rock Salt now graces my fast-growing collection. :-)

Fantastic knife at a good value. Not cheap, but I would not expect it to be. It is a great companion to the Pacific Salt.

Now, I want to see the Endura 4 with the wave feature, and without, using the H1 steel.
I would order one immediately to add to my Endura collection.
 
An H1 Endura would be a fantastic knife:thumbup:

As of late, I've been using the hell out of my little Salt Ladybug. It's my first PE H1. I like it pretty well, but H1 is one of the few steels that i find works very well in SE.
 
I have to admit, my Spyderco Salt collection is growing at an alarming rate. The edge is more than good enough for me for a rust-free metal.

There are not too many models that Spyderco offers that I would not want with H1 steel and titanium construction throughout.

The Manix 2, a knife I am extremely impressed with, offered in H1 steel would be very interesting to me.
Of course, I would also like to see the Manix 2 released with a CPM S30V blade. The Manix 2 is my favorite new folder offering from Spyderco in a long time, very sturdy and one of the best grips I have felt in a long time.

I might have to get a Salt Ladybug soon. Not a lot of the smaller knives like that in my collection.
Maybe even get my first yellow knife ever.
 
So far I have 3 Salts: A PE Salt 1, a SE Tasman Salt, and a PE Pacific Salt. I love this steel.
I would like to maybe see some H1 folders that have pivot screw construction and steel liners, all parts also rust-proof. I don't know if pivot screws could hold up in water w/out loosening. Would blue Loctite still hold after immersion in water?
Jim
 
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