How to determine if knife is made of 52100 steel?

R

rodelio

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Feb 9, 2011
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I am looking at this knife claimed to be made with 52100 steel, how can I verify if it is true?
 
What reasons do you have to doubt what it claims to be? If something is suspicious I always remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
 
On ocassion a knife will be made from 52100 with stock removal, you just need to know someone with a press and a forge to make you a piece of flat stock. I think it is uncommon to find it in flat form though.

On a side note, I used to sell sterling silver jewelry. Sometimes the maker forgets to stamp it or there isn't a good place for a stamp, like on a bangle. I would have people point out "oh this one is a fake, no stamp". Since I make my own jewelry I jokingly mention that I could stamp it just like I do with the pieces I make and it always horrifies them! I figure they should look around the whole store, ask me some intelligent questions, etc but nope it's just the stamp they want to see. :D

sorry kind of off topic I justy thought it was funny :D
 
Specs are 8" blade, 5" handle, 3mm. thickness and 1.5" blade width, for only $10! I haven't had a chance to test it yet though.

Now, anyone who would want one? =)
 
Specs are 8" blade, 5" handle, 3mm. thickness and 1.5" blade width, for only $10! I haven't had a chance to test it yet though.

Now, anyone who would want one? =)
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52100 is an alloy( non stainless) bearing steel that makes very good knife blades. They used to be seen in forged knives mostly but now some production knives are around that use this steel. Companies like BRKT, Marbles ( some years ago), Spyderco in it's mule team program did a run of them, and scrapyard knives who call it SR101 :rolleyes: but produce excellent knives amongst others have used it. All of these were/are stock removal and not forged blades.

I have seen 52100 flat stock for sale so it does make it's way to some small knifemakers who do stock removal knives.

The $10 part has me confused. If it says China, Pakistan, or other Non USA type companies bet it's not real 52100. If it's one of the above mentioned companies you're getting a no $h!t good deal.

It's typicall run from RC 58 to around 62, sometimes higher and it does really well as a slicing type knife, though it's tougher than most people think.

If you can, let us know what kind of knife you're looking at.

Joe
 
It's made in the Philippines and sold in sidewalk stalls. I know a few local makers who make very good blades from bearing steel but I don't think they cost less than $10. Too good to be true?
 
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It's made in the Philippines and sold in sidewalk stalls. I know a few local makers who make very good blades from bearing steel but I don't think they cost less than $10. Too good to be true?
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I'd think "too good to be true" but I'd still look into it. By the way Singularity, are you sure you're not talking about the knives made of truck leaf springs are you? 5160 steel?
 
The Mastiff said:
I'd think "too good to be true" but I'd still look into it. By the way Singularity, are you sure you're not talking about the knives made of truck leaf springs are you? 5160 steel?
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Most are 5160 but a few choice ones are 52100. I think that's why my bro, Rodelio wants to know how to determine. And as you say, I would look into it. I'll be waiting for Rodelio's update.
 
I would'nt bother looking it up. If its from a Filipino street vendor there is no way its 52100 steel.
 
ROBB said:
I would'nt bother looking it up. If its from a Filipino street vendor there is no way its 52100 steel.
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I would like to mention that this knife was not made by any company, rather by a smith who is a friend of mine. The only possibility that it is not a 52100 is that the bearing was not made with 52100, it was from a ball bearing of a bus here. Here are a couple of pictures, sorry if they are not clear. The price was a 'friendly' price, if for others the price may double. =)



 
rodelio said:
I would like to mention that this knife was not made by any company, rather by a smith who is a friend of mine. The only possibility that it is not a 52100 is that the bearing was not made with 52100, it was from a ball bearing of a bus here. Here are a couple of pictures, sorry if they are not clear. The price was a 'friendly' price, if for others the price may double. =)

[
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I'm glad you found a smith bro. The last time you posted in PG you said you were looking at one on the sidewalks. That's also really fast work by the smith bro. Congrats!
 
I went to our neighboring town just to find him and he had a stock so it was fast! The bearing was from a Partas bus so I think it should be reliable, what do you think? Though I haven't tested piercing a coin yet.
 
There's no way you can confirm it for sure. Only way to know is to buy the knife from a knifemaker with a reputation to protect. You get what you pay for.
 
Whether it is 52100, or 5160 is not really all that important to me. They both are great steels IMO. I have several knives in both. I'd say in my experience 52100 gets harder and is more wear resistant while 5160 is tougher. That's why it's used in big knives, swords, Kurki's, etc.

joe
 
The Mastiff said:
Whether it is 52100, or 5160 is not really all that important to me. They both are great steels IMO. I have several knives in both. I'd say in my experience 52100 gets harder and is more wear resistant while 5160 is tougher. That's why it's used in big knives, swords, Kurki's, etc.

joe
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Agreed! If the knife, steel,and heat treat result in a great performing knife that fits your needs, then it's all good. :D
 
There might be a way to test it, but it requires grinding off a piece and examining the spark pattern it gives off. I'm not sure there's a definitive pattern for 52100. Google 'spark test steel' and see what comes up.
 
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