infi vs sr 101 vs 1095

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PatrickKnight

Joined
Jan 24, 2012
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I was wondering if there is any real world difference between these 3 steels for 4-5 inch outdoors knife. Mainly trying to decide if the rodent 4 or the busse AD (i know its a bit smaller than the others) would be any better than my current bk 16 or an esee 4.

Would you be more paying for the busse or swamp name than anything else or are the steels they use really better than tryed and true 1095.


thanks in advance guys
 
Two completely different steels, all will work but the 1095 will fail long before INFI. I'm not a Busse fan boy either, just owned a few over the last decade or so and a ton of 1095 as well.
 
INFI has been claimed to be very tough steel, even at HRC60.

But my friend who own both Busse and ZT100 said that CMP3V has superior toughness than the INFI.
 
I have all 3 and am determining which is best for my needs. Here is what I have learned so far:

Edge Retention - SR101 is best with INFI and 1095CV about the same. SR101 will take the sharpest edge IMO.

Ease of Sharpening- INFI by far, 1095CV then SR101

Ergos- all about the same as I have a CABS with custom slabs, Rodent Solution and BK16. The choils blows on the RS & 16 but I these are the smallest choils available.

Blade Geo- I know jack about this and all three knives seems to work about the same for me.

Rust resistance- INFI by far - 1095 CV then SR101. SR101 rust just sitting there thinking about rusting.

My primary needs are hunting and ranch work. So far INFI is winning as I don't have to take as much care with it. I jsut use it and forget it as if I dull the edge a quick hit on a rod will clean it up. I will have a perfect answer in about 100 lifetimes. By then I hope to have worn all three blades down to a nub.
 
Would you be more paying for the busse or swamp name than anything else or are the steels they use really better than tryed and true 1095.
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Yes, and yes. No question you are paying more because of the name. As far as which steels are better that's tougher. If a knife with steel A has greater wear resistance, is tougher, has greater edge stability but less corrosion resistance than a knife with steel B, does that make steel A better? Answer: It depends on who is buying the knives and what attributes they need for those knives. A lot would pick steel A, and call it better. If you were a around the world kayak er which steel is better? The one with more corrosion resistance naturally.

That's the main reason I don't like using better and worse in describing the steel. Figure out what you need in a knife, find which knife(s) has those features. Select the best feeling ( ergonomic), best cutter from those knives within your price range. Don't get hung up on needing Infi and pass up a knife that suits you better in every way. That's where experience cutting comes in. You know what works for you.

Personally, I'll take 3V, CPM M4, Cruwear, W2, and maybe a few others over infi depending on the job, knife size, thickness, circumstances ( will I be near my sharpening and cleaning gear, etc). No, there's nothing wrong with infi. There's just no magic steel.

Joe
 
Ramil839 said:
I think he means at prying/chopping or anything with the blade/edge breaking.
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I really hope not cause id be happy to give anyone my brothers esee 5 and let them try to find a way to break it.
I just really like the rodent 4 from swamp but im trying to figure out if its worth it given I already own and love my bk16, but with the rust comment about sr 101 that pretty much made my choice for me being as this is an outdoors knife and its not always bright and sunny when I go camping or hiking.
 
Figure out what you need in a knife, find which knife(s) has those features. Select the best feeling ( ergonomic), best cutter from those knives within your price range. Don't get hung up on needing Infi and pass up a knife that suits you better in every way.
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Great perspective here..wisdom, indeed..nothing has met my needs though like Infi..and actually currently EDC an Active Duty that I am extremely pleased with as an all around utility blade for ergos, edge retention, and all around versatility..have not owned it's equal in either the folder or fixed arenas..but am really looking forward to checking out the SR101, very soon hopefully. If it's anything like the SR77 which I greatly enjoyed, a little care can go a long way, but then again, I like a nice patina on a blade or 2 as well..I live in the mountains, and am never to far from a silicone cloth:-). Now that I am thinking about it..never had any patina on the SR77 until I had cleaned a couple of deer, and did not properly clean/oil the blade until a much later time;..with normal use (typical woods activity barring the animal processing), I just cleaned it, and used a silicone cloth on it after use, and never had a patina until then, but, again, I appreciate how it can add character to a blade, if managed.

Another way to look at it possibly, is that it sounds like you have good experience with 1095..if you do feel like giving the others a shot at some point, it would be a great opportunity to do a review/comparison if you go for one of the other steels..one of the best things about where we are typing, is if you don't like a blade for whatever reason..there's always someone willing to give it a home.;). All of the Busse family do well in resale value..which btw has to do with another compelling reason to keep considering them, namely, their warranty.

Not sure if they still do "pass arounds" here or not, but that was actually how I first got to check out Infi, before taking the plunge..was nice.

Good luck with your decision! :thumbup:
 
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Let me turn it around; What ISN'T your 1095cv doing now that you want it to? If your knife is doing the job then no, there will be no benefit to "upgrading" IMO. I haven't used infi but between the other 2 I've noticed that edge geometry is more important then the steel itself.
 
Shotgun said:
Let me turn it around; What ISN'T your 1095cv doing now that you want it to?

If your knife is doing the job then no, there will be no benefit to "upgrading" IMO.

I haven't used infi but between the other 2 I've noticed that edge geometry is more important then the steel itself.
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+1 :thumbup: Very wise words right there.




Big Mike
 
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