Help me choose a steel

T

the possum

Joined
Jul 31, 2002
Messages
2,954
I have finally decided to try out the neck knife idea, and I'd like to make it myself. Now what steel should I use?

Here's my requirements. I plan to carry this knife while jogging, since most of my jogging pants don't have adequate pockets. I will make it a sharply pointed clip point, and will give it a shallow radius convex grind from edge to spine. Since I sweat a lot while jogging, especially in this 95 degree weather, I guess it will have to be stainless steel. I haven't decided on the thickness of the stock yet. One the one hand, this small knife should only be used for light slicing and stabbing tasks and needs to be lightweight, but on the other hand, this will be the only knife I'll have with me while jogging, so it should be ready to handle tougher jobs if they come up.

I've used ATS-34 in the past, but I'm presently out. So I figure this is a perfect opportunity to try out one of the latest super steels. Perhaps something from CPM? Which one? Do they make stock in these smaller sizes? Any other thoughts or suggestions are welcomed.

thanx.
 
What 'tougher jobs" do you seriously expect to meet while jogging?!!!!!!!
I recall a previous thread on knives and jogging, an experienced runner made the point that joggers don't get attacked (at least not male joggers)- if you're serious runner then basically you are a fit guy running in something approximating your underwear, and you could probably easily catch or outrun anyone trying to mug you.
That said, if you feel necessary for carrying while running, then why not Titanium? It is light, will not rust from sweat, it can handle light cutting and is VERY tough- it wont' break if you fall or drop it.
If you really expect to be doing heavy duty cutting of sisal rope, fibreglas, copper wiring, hard wood etc............ well, you're probably not running then :)
Martin
 
LOL i like your post Martin! hehe

I know it's not a super steel possum, neither is Titanium for that matter, how about BG42, have you tried that yet? AT 60-61 RC it really cuts it.

James
 
Well, I guess you've got a good point. I won't do any serious cutting while jogging. I was just thinking I'd like the option of carrying this same knife for tougher jobs if the knife proves handy. I guess I should have mentioned it, but I'm not at all worried about human attackers. 'Round here the cops biggest trouble is taking away beer from minors, and the occasional theft of goods from unlocked vehicles and garages. I will, however, probably use it to kill an occasional raccoon or possum, as I've done many times before. :cool:

I won't be able to outrun anybody anyway. I just started jogging the other night and spent half the time walking. :) It's just that I had to leave my knives at home the other night and felt compeletly naked. A substantial blade just makes me feel better for some reason...

forgot to add something
Around the farm, my knife gets used for a lot of stuff it shouldn't. I really don't think titanium would stand up. I wanted to use this project as an excuse to experiment with some of the latest steels. I'm not sure how much BG-42 would offer over ATS-34, but hear nothing but praise about the CPM stuff. What is S30V, yet? Is that the their old 440V or 420V??
 
What is S30V, yet? Is that the their old 440V or 420V?? [/B]
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Hi Possum and everybody ,

I´m new in here but maybe I can still help ?

S30V is a rather new steel along the lines of ATS34 and BG42 with 1,45% Carbon , 4%Vanadium und 2% Molybdenum .
It has a reputation as a tough new all around stainless with good edgeholding .

S60V was originally called CPM 440V . It´s quite different to S30V as it contains 2,15% Carbon and 5.5% Vanadium . S90V (CPM 420V)is kind of an "updated" S60V with 2,3% Carbon and an amazing 9%Vanadium !

If you´re not scared by the extra work I think S90V is the perfect stainless steel for your neckknife . It gives you a reasonably tough blade with good rust resistance and an absolutely terrific cutting edge that will surely last !


More info on CPM steels is here :

http://www.crucibleservice.com/datash.cfm

P.S.: Hope the intended use of killing an occasional possum doesn´t mean this neckknife is meant for Harakiri ? ;)
In that case I would suggest a slightly larger blade :D ;)


All the Best !

Bigwing
 
Welcome Bigwing, great first post and i like your possum joke! hehe

The jury is still out on S30V and i have heard most can't tell any deference between it and BM42. That being said why not go with the hardest one to work with S90V indeed, like Bigwing said.

I have heard from users of S90V it stays sharp longer then other steels but of course it's harder to sharpen. Just remember a neck knife should be light, otherwise it might turn into a sheath knife or a pain in the neck. LOL

James
 
Re-reading my previous comment it sounds mean, my apologies, it was intended in fun way. Certainly I understand need to carry knife at all times, don't we all? :)
Yes, CPMs are excellent, S90V (previously 420V) is simply among the most abrasion resistant steels out there "stainless' or "carbon." Only drawbacks are it isn't very tough, it is pretty hard to work/grind, and it is VERY expensive.
S30V appears to be very excellent balanced stainless- look up recent test in REviews by Rob Simonich under thread title "The Raven," he says in his desturction testing S30v is superior to A2 in edge holding AND toughness! (and of course corrosion resistance). Not the edge holding of s90v, but much cheaper and easier to heat treat, and tougher.
Martin
 
I do go jogging too. The weather here in Arizona is kind of hot as well. I sweat like a horse. After some thinking I decided for Camilus mini talon with talonite blade.

The worst thing that happened to me during jogging was getting stuck on a cactus. My little sharp blade was perfect for removing these little thorns. They don't hurt much but annoy the hell out of you.:D
 
@ APM :

Thanks for the warm welcome !

Originally posted by APM
Welcome Bigwing, great first post and i like your possum joke! hehe

The jury is still out on S30V and i have heard most can't tell any deference between it and BM42. That being said why not go with the hardest one to work with S90V indeed, like Bigwing said.
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Yes , I heard the same about BG42 and S30V . On the other hand I also read posts by Jerry Hossom and others which sound like S30V indeed sets a new standard for the toughness in stainless steels .
I guess only time will tell what´s behind all of these rumors ... at least S30V seems to be more stainresistant than BG42 which is not unimportant for a neckknife either .

After all a steel that´s similar to BG42 but more rust resistant isn´t bad news at all !

I have heard from users of S90V it stays sharp longer then other steels but of course it's harder to sharpen.
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Oh yes , it keeps a useable edge for a long time and so far I found both S90V and even the older S60V to be reasonably tough in
normal use - provided of course they were heattreated correctly .

In fact I own a handforged Sean McWilliams Ranger in S60V which I use to chop firewood on camping trips and - believe it or not- it works as well in this field as my Randalls or Chris Reeves while holding a much better edge when it comes to cuttingchores !( Don´t get me wrong , both Randall and Reeve make great knives which I truely love !! )
S90V is said to be even tougher than S60V ( I´ve never tried to break one of my knives so I can´t attest to this )and it´s edgeholding is at least as good which is "very good" IMHO .

Of course both are not the ultimate choice for a hard using knife . But so far I haven´t needed greater toughness during normal outdoor or camping use than what both steels offer me ( I believe the edgeprofile is much more important than the steel itself when it comes to impact-toughness and I don´t see a realistic reason why I should ever use my knife for heavy prying - different persons might find different needs however .) .

Anyway , for a neckknife S60V and S90V should be plenty tough under normal use !

BTW.: I simply use a diamond hone and don´t have any difficulties to restore the edge on my CPM knives when I need to - it really isn´t that hard at all .

Just remember a neck knife should be light, otherwise it might turn into a sheath knife or a pain in the neck. LOL

James
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Yep that´s the point , however wearing a 10" Bowie around the neck while running sounds like a great body work-out ! It quickly turns you into a true leatherneck and it probably impresses the ladies , too ...:cool: ;) :)



Bigwing
 
I'd go for corrosion resistance as a primary variable.

That would lead me to 420V and 440C at differing ends of price spectrum. Maybe S30V.

Crucible's data indicates that 420V beats 440V in corrosion resistance, and you can't tell that by just looking at overall chrome content. Extra vanadium ties up carbon in 420V leaving chrome free.
 
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