Lockbar steel?

[biogon]

Out of curiosity, what steel is used for the lockbar on lockback Spyderco knives?

I assume the H1 knives use H1 for the bar, but what about other stainless bladed ones? (i.e. VG10, S30V, 440V etc)

If they use a hardenable steel, are they hardened?

Thanks.

 

[STR]

Based on the ones I've worked on they are not as hard as the blade by any means from Spyderco. I think they are usually the same steel as the blade. Maybe even cut at the same time.

There are different schools of thought on how to handle the lock bar. Some makers harden the lock bar to the same hardness of the blade, some only to a mid level hardness that is still malable for lock adjustments before the knife leaves the factory and still others apparently don't harden the lock bar much at all. I'm not sure where Spyderco is in this. I would guess in the mid level hardness range maybe in the same range as the spring. Steel not hardened some would scratch up very easy as well as dent so it is best to have some hardness to them in my opinion, like 45 Rc or so at the least.

STR

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Biogon,

As STR mentioned, we use a hardened steel. Actual Rc is very critical for the performance and strength of the lock. too hard and they break at the neck. Too soft and they bend.

We use different steels for different models depending on the requirements, so the Rc is different for the different models. Each material has its optimum hardness.

The lock-bars are usually not as hard as the blade.

Hope that helps.

sal

 

[biogon]

STR,
Thank you -- that makes a lot of sense. I had first thought that makers might harden the lockbar to the same RC as the blade, but then I wondered whether it would make it too brittle.

Sal,

Wow! It's an honor to hear from you.

Thanks for the info. I should have guessed Spyderco would go through the trouble of specifically choosing an RC for the lockbar.

I just got my Delica 4 today -- truly, a winner. I've owned other Spydercos in the past and never found them to fit (Original Native -- too small, weird blade, and 440V (WAAAY too hard to sharpen); Manix -- too wide and too slab-sided to be comfortable).

The previous Delica/Endura series was too lightweight and the pivot not adjustable; in this case, the ergonomics, grip build, steel, and blade tip have all been improved to the point where I'm proud to carry (and use) one.

-j