KaBar Steel

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DPris

Joined
Nov 27, 2003
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Can anybody tell me the difference in quality & performance between the 1095 and the 1085 steels that KaBar uses?
DPris
 
they are exactly the same except 1095 has .95% carbon and 1085 has .85% carbon. In theory that should make 1095 more wear resistant but the differnce is hardly noticable if at all.
 
I always thought Kabar used 1095. I just looked at their website and found 1095 for their basic fighting utility knife.

I would actually prefer 1085 for this type of knife. The 1085 alloy is tougher than 1095 and I would be happier if the blade was a little softer to enhance toughness.
 
I was looking up specs on their camp knife earlier & thought it said 1085.
My 20-year old Marine fighting knife is one of my most trusted fixed blades, I know it's not considered top of the line in steel quality, but I've been very happy with it and wondered what the difference is between the two steels listed on the KaBar site for the two knives.
Where do I find the book on relative steel quality?
Thanks.
DPris
 
Originally posted by DPris
... Where do I find the book on relative steel quality?...
Click to expand...

If you haven´t seen them yet, start with the steel FAQ´s, follow the TUTORIALS/FAQ´s link on top of the page.
 
Ka-bar uses also 1085 I'm sure they use it in their Kukris and they may use it in other models too. For their next generation line they use 440A and sandvik 12C47 on the older models.
 
So, if I'm extrapolating right, this Kabar Camp Knife with 1085 should be just fractionally tougher for occasional light chopping than the Marine fighting/utility knife with 1095?
DPris
 
DPris,
My kabar came back with me from the service days in the early 70's. It's 1095 and tough as nails. Also one of my hard use knives I go to if hard use will be a potential [ It saves the more expensive blades from being used and if I break it, it's pretty easy to replace it at it's pricepoint ].

The knife has seen some better days, rust pits, sheath is getting pretty ragged but it still serves well when required.

I think the 1095 is considerd a very good steel by many, certainly has stood the test of time and hard use by many GI's over the years.

Brownie
 
1095 is one of my favourite steels. It does just about everything a mere mortal could ask, provided it is properly worked and heat treated. Of course its not stain resistant, but lets not go there. The differences between 1095, 1084 and perhaps even 1080 are miniscule and not likely to be noticed by the user in real-life, all things being equal. The differences with a lower carbon steel like say 1050 or 5160, maybe, just maybe, it could become evident to an experienced user, but even thats pushing it. The differences are more obvious when doing precise side-by-side tests.

KaBar has been using D2 for a while now. I have had some feedback from fellow enthusiasts that while the D2 certainly holds an edge better, it is a Bast#$@ to resharpen in the field, so the guys ended up going back to the 1095 blades ! And I think the D2 knives are significantly more expensive too. Jason.
 
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