info on cts-bd1

[GuinnessSynd]

looking for any info on spydercos cts-bd1 steel. not familiar with it and was wondering what its comparable to and what its characteristics might be...thanks in advance.

 

[singularity35]

IIRC, it's Carpenter's version of Gingami-1

 

[War Eagle]

I only have one Spyderco in CTS-BD1, a UKPK drop point, but so far I'm really liking this steel. I think singularity35 is correct that it is just a newer version of Gin 1 steel. I also only have one blade in this steel, a first gen Delica. My opinion so far is that BD1 is just as easy to sharpen as Gin 1 but to me it holds its edge better. Also it seems to me to cut really well, I don't really know of a better way to describe what I mean other than to say it feels like it has an "aggressive" bite to it. I'm no sharpening wizard either, I've just been using the fine stones on a Spyderco Sharpmaker to touch it up from time to time. Some may not find this to be true but I feel like BD1 holds its edge as good as VG-10. I would LOVE to see a Delica offered in this steel. Oh one last thought on the cutting performance, I'm sure some of the reason for it being a great cutter is because of the really thin hollow grind on this blade. The UKPK FRN handled knives sure aren't meant to be "hard use" knives so this grind really makes this knife a great choice for a really light weight EDC. For all the mundane cutting tasks that I use my knives for 90% of the time this steel is great.

 

[unit]

IIRC, it's Carpenter's version of Gingami-1

Yup!

The failure mode is generally edge rolling...mine has never chipped (ever).

Amazingly simple to polish and hone, takes a screaming sharp edge and is easy to maintain (unlike steels high in carbides that are a little more troublesome to sharpen for some, and quickly degrade to a VERY long lasting working edge). By contrast BD-1 retains a very fine (shaving sharp edge) but will degrade almost linearly to dull.

Not what I would call a hard use steel. I like it for wood carving because it gets crazy sharp and will stay that way if I keep a strop close by (generally for detail carving a carver will make a few cuts, strop and make a few more). I also like it for desk duty (opening mail and occasionally cutting out coupons).

[video=youtube;cActYLNDgxk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cActYLNDgxk[/video]

 

[CrimsonTideShooter]

Edge retention isn't going to be fantastic. It is by no means a worthless steel, though. Great for EDC since it takes a nice edge VERY easily.

 

[Noctis3880]

Hmm, so it would be like the American version of 12C27? It would be interesting if Spyderco did something a bit similar to Mora and made a bunch of dirt cheap fixed blades out of that steel, but with a hollow grind instead.