Is there any advantage to SR101 over INFI other than a lower price ?

[Azula Gun Holsters]

Does SR101 have any advantage over INFI in the same knife other than a lower price point ?

 

[PeteyTwoPointOne]

I'd say no further advantages, other than price.

It's not immensely easier to sharpen, than INFI.

I haven't found it to be tougher, or maintain it's apex better.

It may be easier to sand to high polish on the blade faces, maybe.

It's a great steel...but it's just that INFI is , well, it's INFI.

 

[AnotherDogDown17]

I have read arguments that SR101 performs better in a knife primarily used in cutting tasks. Hard use knives, for chopping and what not, are better suited for INFI.
In my personal experience, SR101 performs very well in hard use tasks but it is more difficult to sharpen than INFI. I have yet to see much difference in cutting ability between the two steels but have started comparing my MSE in SR101 to my MSE in INFI. I'll have better input once I've put both knives through their paces a bit more.

 

[Tim the Wizard]

Others will disagree, but I find it has more edge stability in terms of how long it will stay super sharp during general urban EDC use. This is from a comparison of AMS in SR101 vs. Magnum Bear Cub in INFI.

 

[Ccc]

In direct contrast to Mr. PointOne and Mr. Down17, I have found it very easy to get SR101 to a very sharp edge, whereas I have a hard time getting INFI sharp.

I like INFI more because once I do get it sharp, it is very easy to keep it sharp (I usually use the bottom of a ceramic mug and a leather strop). If I dull SR101, I usually have to bust out the stones or sandpaper again.

So, for my skill level, SR101 is much easier to reprofile and get initially sharp.

 

[clampdaddy]

I'm in the "better edge retention during regular use" camp. I moved a few months back and ended up with a bunch of cardboard boxes to cut up so they'd fit in my garbage can. I figured it would be a good way to test them both. My SR101 blade definitely held an edge better than my INFI.

 

[shqxk]

SR101 will hold an edge noticeable longer in most use especially when talking about a very acute edge. INFI is far from the best when it come to thin cross section while SR101 is excellent on that department.

There are reason why combat grade INFI are always came thicker than the battle grade SR101 one.

 

[FloridaBlade]

Does SR101 have any advantage over INFI in the same knife other than a lower price point ?

It could be said there are some psychological advantages; basically the peaceful knowledge that you are backed by the same warranty while being able to buy several hundred rounds of ammo or maybe an ipad for your wife with the money you saved by choosing SR-101.

But, there are some psychological advantages to INFI also, like the peaceful knowledge you have better rust resistance.

 

[Cobalt]

One thing I have noticed with my modern SR101 nad INFI is that my SR101 comes with a better edge put on it. As for wear, I have not used SR101 enough to have a good opinion compared to INFI. I know that SR101 cannot handle edge impacts as well. I have hit nails and stuff and INFI handles that much better.

 

[nydude]

SR101 will hold an edge noticeable longer in most use especially when talking about a very acute edge. INFI is far from the best when it come to thin cross section while SR101 is excellent on that department.

There are reason why combat grade INFI are always came thicker than the battle grade SR101 one.

I don't have a ton of examples but I'm not sure this is true. I believe the Battle grade SFNO, Hellrazer, AK47, and AMS are all thicker than their Combat Grade equivalents. The Battle Grade Team Gemini and ASH are thiner than the originals, but those were very thick knives to begin with, and both Boss Jack's are the same thickness.

Some of these I have and some I'm just going on specs so if I'm off here let me know.

As for advantages I won't say much. sr101 holds one hell of an edge, but I'm pretty rough with my knives when I'm out. Meaning they will most likely get little more than a wipe down with a bandana or pant leg before going back in the sheath or stuck in a tree stump for later, and an INFI blade doesn't care as much when I leave her dirty for next time.

 

[Cobalt]

SR101 will hold an edge noticeable longer in most use especially when talking about a very acute edge. INFI is far from the best when it come to thin cross section while SR101 is excellent on that department.

There are reason why combat grade INFI are always came thicker than the battle grade SR101 one.

There is no proof of any of this either way. Unfortunately, two exact blades of both steels have not been compared for edge holding. I would love to see a comparison for sure.

As for the second part, that is not completely accurate. One difference I have noticed is that the SR101 blades tend to be sabre ground. So even though they may be a little thinner the sabre grind makes up for it. Like the DTBM is sabre ground, the sykco 911 is very similar to the B9 except it is sabre ground, etc.

 

[Andy the Aussie]

My two most used blades are, without question or hesitation, a B4 Supermodel and HRLM, the B4 is thinner and still has what is essentially the factory edge, the HRLM has been significantly sharpened. I truly struggle to tell the difference between the two in respect of edge holding. BOTH have been used to skin/dress/cape and break down more deer than I would be able to count and neither has been found wanting. I should probably have taken to and sharpened the B4 by now but it is also a test now to see how much life I can get out of Beef's first sharpening. It had been on a steel and a strop but never a stone or belt and the damn thing just cuts. The HRLM retains its blade coating but the new edge has exposed much more steel than the original (and the choil has been opened up to make it more suitable) none of that bare SR101 has presented an issue to me EVER.

As to the price/performance difference, meh, you really can't go wrong with either for 99% of uses (truly, that deer/hog/squirrel/Cape Buffalo you are breaking up will NEVER notice a difference) so just buy what makes you most happy I do...