knife steel

J

Jared Stenoien

Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
1,025
I have a knife I'd like to make that I was planning on making out of D2, but as I read some of the specs on other knife materials I've began to wonder... This will be an EDC, but as I will be living on a large forest property it will probably see everything from hacking down small trees to cutting fish up for bait, I'd like to know some of the steels that people with similiar demands would recommend, thanks. The knife is 3/16" thick, primary bevel of 13.37 degrees with a 7.9" blade. Cost and machinability arent really an issue.
 
I would get a simple low alloy steel like 52100. For brush work, you frequently encounter debris so you want a high hardness but still solid toughness. Wear resistance doesn't tend to be of much benefit. If you want some corrosion resistance for salt water fish work then use A8 or similar. This won't keep it from rusting from exposed water soaking, but will allow cutting without immediate staining which will happen with steels like O1, L6, 5160, etc. .

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp
I'm relatively new to the Blade forum and I just want to let you know I appreciate your technical input.
PJ
 
I second Cliffs view and íf there is a choice, look out for some steel grade with around 0.8% carbon content and some tungsten. From everywhere i hear, that ppl. are happy with the mixture of edge holding and toughness.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top