Help me choose DPx Heat with Niolox or Sleipner

Dr Blazer

Dr Blazer

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Sep 7, 2018
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I want to buy a DPx Heat but I'm not sure whether I should choose the Niolox blade or the Sleipner blade. I know very little about both steels. I'm hoping you can give me some info on each, your opinions, and which you would choose and why. Thanks
 
Notes from around the Internet that I have reveal:

- Niolox: A high-quality stainless steel alloy made with vanadium, molybdenum, and niobium. Offers great hardness and edge-retention whilst still remaining corrosion-resistant.

- Sleipner: A high alloyed stainless tool steel, made by Uddeholm, which offers high hardness, wear and chipping resistance, and is easily machined. It's made with silicon, manganese, molybdenum, and vanadium.
 
So apparently there is a bunch of drama surrounding dpx. Might be wise to dig a bit deeper into that and deciding if he's someone you want to support.

As for Sleipner or niolox... I have Sleipner steel and it's okay. It's a modified form of d2 from bohler. Improved toughness over d2 and fair wear resistance and chipping over it. I do remember reading about Lionsteel saying it was better than m390 but found out that was bull shit as I have knives in both and m390 is far better corrosion and edge retention.

Niolox is a stain resistant tool steel. It's very fine grain which helps edge stability and toughness. It's similar in d2 in wear resistance but has better edge stability.

As for the knives themselves, they are made in Italy and can have varied results in warranty. One guy recently had got a repair but took them along time to approve and then send it to Italy for repair. Sounded like a process that is not fun. Your results may differ.
 
mr2blue said:
Maybe I am lucky but I have 3 DPX knives and all are excellent. I like Sleipner better.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat as you. My multiple DPX knives have all been excellent. I have had zero complaints.

My hest/f milspec had some lock stick that a lot of people speak about, but with use, that went away.

I have been very happy with the sleipner steel as well, i prefer it over the nilox.
I read a lot about people having rusting issues with the sleipner, but my sleipner I've had for over three years, and i have never once coated the blade with anything, and I have carried this beast exclusively for months, in all sorts of weather conditions.
Its been wet, its been in sweaty pockets, its cut food. I don't have a patina on it, and I don't have rust or pitting. I do live in a fairly dry climate in Utah.

I dont know about any drama surrounding him, but the tools i own are fantastic.
 
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I have only tried out Sleipner on Lionsteel's M7. I can chop away at wood (fresh or dry) and the edge doesn't show any deformation or chipping. It comes back to shaving sharp super fast with only a ceramic stone.

However...
I can't say how Sleipner would perform on a folder where (I'd assume) you'd favor wear resistance over toughness. I'm not sure how wear resistant it is in use. Sleipner seems like a steel more suited for a fixed blade, IMO.

No idea about Niolox. Never used it.
 
I have the HEST mil spec. fixed blade in sleipner. The quality, fit and finish is exceptional. I'm under the impression that sleipner is a hard use steel, maybe more suited for fixed blades, though I can't say for sure. You won't be prying or pounding with a folder, so I'm not sure if it would have any advantages. Take all that with a grain of salt since my ideal folder is a SAK Farmer:D
 
I had two DPX's at one point in time. HEST, and HEAT. Never used them, they sat on the shelf. Regular cleaning and protecting. Both had Sleipner...both developed rust spots on the non polished part of blade, and in the pivot area. :( Sold them both. Great feeling knives tho. I wonder if the coated blades develop less rust. This is just my experience in Canada tho, we have 4 legit seasons. Rain, Snow, humidity, and heat. Lol. I dont have any experience with nilox. Hope that helps!
 
I say go with the Niolox. It seems to be the better steel for a folder. Sleipner is not stainless and looks to be a steel better suited for toughness; something you won’t really need on such a short bladed folder.

Niolox is stainless and has much higher Chromium content, significantly more vanadium and niobium of which Sleipner has none. These should contribute to a higher wear resistance.
 
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