How long for INFI?

JohnTheTexican · Nov 17, 2006

Back when I first read about Busse knives in American Survival Guide, ATS-34 was THE steel to have. It's wha t Steel Hearts were made of, and it was one of their criteria for the "best" knife you could get.

Now ATS-34 is passe, and INFI is the best you can get. But for how long? What's the average life span for the best available knife material, and how far is INFI into that period?

Or is INFI the best of all possible knife steels--something that is never to be surpassed--like some people say of the 1911 design for handguns?\

rbmcmjr · Nov 17, 2006

Cynics will claim that is why he keeps the formula to himself. Sort of a high-brow Carbon V that changes with the steel supply. When he finds a newer and better choice, will it be the new INFI?

NOTE: I am not claiming this! Merely playing Devil's Advocate for the purposes of discussion.

papathud · Nov 17, 2006

If I say then Jerry will sue me.

INFI has Stood the Test Of Time for the Last, almost 10 years at the top of the heap.

Jerry is always looking for and testing not only new steels but new and innovative heat treats, I believe that he is obsessed with Performance.

It is plenty Good enough for me, Of course so is A-2.

idahoskunk · Nov 17, 2006

jerry's sued me 7 times already and he still doesn't have my pigs nose :yawn:

Chosen-frozen · Nov 18, 2006

Ah, John?....I hate to rain on your pee in your campfire, but Steel Hearts were never, NEVER made of ATS-34. Don`t get me wrong, it`s an outstanding steel. But when I started working for Jerry in `96 we were using nothing but A2, and then when Jerry found a metalugist with connections to a mill that could actually make INFI in small enough batches we could physically move it (10,000 lbs.), we switched directly to INFI.

Dave, (formerly grinding away in the custom shop)
Northern, Japan

Progunner · Nov 18, 2006

Chosen-frozen said:
Ah, John?....I hate to rain on your pee in your campfire, but Steel Hearts were never, NEVER made of ATS-34. Don`t get me wrong, it`s an outstanding steel. But when I started working for Jerry in `96 we were using nothing but A2, and then when Jerry found a metalugist with connections to a mill that could actually make INFI in small enough batches we could physically move it (10,000 lbs.), we switched directly to INFI.

Dave, (formerly grinding away in the custom shop)
Northern, Japan

Wait a sec Dave, the SH1's weren't ATS34? Why the heck are they marked ATS34 then?

MikeH · Nov 18, 2006

The original Steel Hearts were ATS-34. The BB SH II was A2. Then came INFI. I know, I was there, drooling over the ads until I ordered my BB SH II.

idahoskunk · Nov 18, 2006

Chosen-frozen said:
Ah, John?....I hate to rain on your pee in your campfire, but Steel Hearts were never, NEVER made of ATS-34. Don`t get me wrong, it`s an outstanding steel. But when I started working for Jerry in `96 we were using nothing but A2, and then when Jerry found a metalugist with connections to a mill that could actually make INFI in small enough batches we could physically move it (10,000 lbs.), we switched directly to INFI.

Dave, (formerly grinding away in the custom shop)
Northern, Japan

sorry frozen, you must have been drinking too much saki, the shI was made from ats-34. or at least that is whats etched on all my SHI's

idahoskunk · Nov 18, 2006

Cobalt · Nov 18, 2006

INFI is INFI. The chemical analysis has been done so the steel is no mystery. But INFI is a combination of the steel and it's making and HT process, which combined is proprietary.

It isn't so much that INFI is the best at everything. It is that it does everything well. It may be nearly as tugh as S-7, but it has way more wear resistance, corrossion resistance bend strength. ATS34 may hold an edge just as long, but it will chip instead of just roll and it will snap way before INFI would even consider bending.

So there are steels out there that might best INFI in one area, but not in all areas. Look at Cliffs tests and you will see many knives outperforming INFI in one category, but INFI usually wins overall.

Jerry, would be hard pressed to find a steel that performs as well overall. But if anyone can, it is him. Maybe he can do a San Mai of Vacowear inner and S-7 outer

JohnTheTexican · Nov 18, 2006

Chosen-frozen said:
Ah, John?....I hate to rain on your pee in your campfire, but Steel Hearts were never, NEVER made of ATS-34. Don`t get me wrong, it`s an outstanding steel. But when I started working for Jerry in `96 we were using nothing but A2, and then when Jerry found a metalugist with connections to a mill that could actually make INFI in small enough batches we could physically move it (10,000 lbs.), we switched directly to INFI.

Dave, (formerly grinding away in the custom shop)
Northern, Japan

I'm just going by what I read in American Survival Guide many years back (or what I remember reading, anyway). If I recall the article correctly, one of the authors criteria for the ultimate survival knife was that it be made with ATS-34, and he picked the Steelheart for the fixed blade and Benchmade ACFK for the folder.

ETA: I guess I shoulda read all the posts after chosen-frozens before responding. Freakin' Presbyterians think they know it all.