Imperial Schrade Apex steel type?

[kevenn]

I've been coming across many of these knives lately (mostly AP12, AP13, and AP16) and I was wondering what type of Stainless steel is used? All these models are the type that were made in Ireland. They seem to have a little higher carbon content....can anyone help?? Thanks for looking!

 

[Frotier76]

Well you have a solid question here Kevenn that appears to be unanswered for over 7 years in your posting.Regarding the Apex Series I recall Schrade referring to it as Inox(same meaning as the word 'Rostfrei') Stainless Steel where the Tradesman Series was using stainless steel but not bearing a marketing name.So I gather the Apex Series was offering a nicer stainless.I have the AP13 Skinning knife I bought back in the late 90's and found the edge retention to be on par with 440A Stainless which didn't say much back then.Not because I didn't like 440A it's because it was commonly used.No one ever thought the day would come where American brands would use cheaper steels.Except this European steel seems finer grained and takes it's edge a little quicker than 440A.Most likely the blade steel was Krupp 4116 or possibly Sandvik 12C27 from how good the satin finish looks.For a budget outdoors knife the Apex line didn't shy away from a good hunting steel in my opinion.But things have changed and the way the American made market works today is to give a lower carbon stainless commonly and you pay more to something middle class in edge retention relative to 440A.I liked the fixed blades of the Imperial Apex line from Ireland...a shame only a few different models were made.

 

[deltaboy]

Thanks I be on the look out for them.