Junk Steel

I own, but avoid knives now with carbon levels of .5 or .6, unless I am interested in a very large blade. In these circumstances, 5160 makes sense. A blade in 1060 wouldn't appeal unless it was a machete.

For pocket knives, I avoid steels like 12C27 or 420HC, just because I would rather have better edge holding.

I like mid-range steels, like VG10, S35V and XHP. Once you get up to steels like M4 and ZDP189, I am still at the level I am comfortable with for performance steels in pocket knives.

I would also avoid M390 right now, just because I have read too many complaints about poor heat treatment. For my needs, I don't really want 3% carbon levels.
 
bld522 said:
I'm always interested to see the alloys some folks consider to be substandard for creating cutting edges. 420HC is often attacked as are 440C, D2, and most recently, S30V and Elmax. So here's a simple question. Are there any knives you would refuse to purchase based on their blade alloy alone? If so, which alloys are on your hit list and why?
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I normally don't trust any knife that is marked "stainless" or "440" unless I have more info to go on. I currently own only one knife that is 440A steel
(Cutco 1891) and I will not ever purchase any more. I like the size and ergonomics of the knife well enough, so I have no plans to get rid of it but, the steel just does not hold an edge. The knife does not even say "stainless" on the blade. Go figure. So, 440, 440A are both on my hit list. I have never tried 440B and, it is a crap shoot with 440C. It just depends on who makes the knife and the cost. Made here in the US? Maybe. Overseas? Chances are I will keep my money.

I have carried more than one knife made by CRKT over the years and watched them drop the grade of the steel in their knives. The first M16 series knife I purchased was produced in AUS 6, maybe even AUS 8. I don't remember which one. Now, it is manufactured in AUS 4. Oh, one of my all time favorite knives is the CRKT Prowler. It only came in AUS6, so I have no choice of steels on that one. I have purchased the Prowler more that once, so I make an exception for that knife. AUS 4, 6 and 8 are all on my hit list, with AUS 8 questionable. Just like 440C.

At times it is not just the blade alloy. Country of origin and heat treatment play big roles too. If I look at a knife and see that it is made outside the US, I will, sometimes, assume the HT is sub-standard and that the blade alloy is junk. This happens most often when I spot a steel that I am not familiar with. I have to admit, this is happening less and less now that I joined BF. It would help if markings were standardized. Who knows how many good knives I passed up because steel markings vary from country to country?

Neat idea for a post, BTW.
 
I actually wont buy an S90V, s110V or a ZDP-189 blade. I dont like sharpening knives and when i do I like it to be easy. As far as what most people consider junk steel? I think there are people who can tell the difference. But I think that number is far less than most would admit to. And I think in a blind test most would never be able to guess with any regularity any particular steel.
 
For me, proper heat treat, edge, blade and grind geometry surpass steel choice.

Of course its nice to have the latest and greatest steel for the cool factor. But in reality all steels will dull and need sharpening. So in the end, if the heat treat and hardness is right for the job and the steel is actually a decent steel (rr spikes lol), idc.
 
I only have one example of 440C------I absolutely despise 440C going on over 40 years now-------I was gifted a new Buck 110 by my folks in 1974-ish----the only time that knife was ever sharp is when it came out of the box----other than that it hasn't been sharp since the 70's and believe me, I've tried numerous times to get an edge on it with every new sharpener that came along. Maybe I just got a bad one? Either way, its formed an unshakable opinion on how bad 440C is.

Its around here somewhere and I'll never get rid of it--but still in the end its just a useless piece of garbage.

I have had good service with aus8--D2--154CM---BG42--VG-10---haven't used my S30V blades enough to really have an opinion.
 
80crv2. No matter who makes it or heat treat they use it just does not perform very well. I know it's also called 1080+ and SK5 is similar but I never have problems with SK5 or 1080. I've been using my puukkos a lot the last week carving down fat wood to carry sized pieces and the 80rcv2 is working the same wood my SK5 blade and 12c27 blade is (all puukko blades) and the 80crv2 is denting and chipping and it has a lower stronger HRC than the other two. After a couple hours of work I threw it in the retired pile, don't have time for that anymore. SK5 blad has went about 6 hours so far, and still carving just fine. One quick touch up on the 12c27 and it's still working.
 
even crappy steel will take an edge....it just won't hold it....don't confuse inability to sharpen it (reaching the edge) with bad steel.
 
omaha-beenglockin said:
I only have one example of 440C------I absolutely despise 440C going on over 40 years now-------I was gifted a new Buck 110 by my folks in 1974-ish----the only time that knife was ever sharp is when it came out of the box----other than that it hasn't been sharp since the 70's and believe me, I've tried numerous times to get an edge on it with every new sharpener that came along. Maybe I just got a bad one? Either way, its formed an unshakable opinion on how bad 440C is.

Its around here somewhere and I'll never get rid of it--but still in the end its just a useless piece of garbage.

I have had good service with aus8--D2--154CM---BG42--VG-10---haven't used my S30V blades enough to really have an opinion.
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you had a buck 110 in 440C. The only ones I have ever had were 425 and they trully sucked. Might be the worst steel I have ever owned. I liked their 420HC steel. I had one in BG42 and it rocked. I have had nothing but good luck with 440A, B and C.
 
Not enough data to support your grossly generalization about 80CrV2. 'who make' and 'ht' baits too... much :rolleyes:
Boris74 said:
80crv2. No matter who makes it or heat treat they use it just does not perform very well. I know it's also called 1080+ and SK5 is similar but I never have problems with SK5 or 1080. I've been using my puukkos a lot the last week carving down fat wood to carry sized pieces and the 80rcv2 is working the same wood my SK5 blade and 12c27 blade is (all puukko blades) and the 80crv2 is denting and chipping and it has a lower stronger HRC than the other two. After a couple hours of work I threw it in the retired pile, don't have time for that anymore. SK5 blad has went about 6 hours so far, and still carving just fine. One quick touch up on the 12c27 and it's still working.
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440C : Hard to sharpen and has mediocre edge holding from my experience with many brand ie. Benchmade, Spyderco and even custom...


INFI : Just too much hype... In my conclusion It's just 5160 with some corrosion resistance, besides it won't get as sharp as 5160 thought...
 
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