Manufacturer/Steel Pairs

C

coffeemike

Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Messages
143
Stick around the forum long enough and you'll pick up on budget, everyday and super steels, their various properties, et cetera. You'll also come to understand that heat treatment and manufacturing play a huge role in bringing out - or ruining - a steel's inherent ability.

Are there certain manufacturers you think of that do primarily outstanding, or better than the rest, work with a certain steel? For instance, Buck and 420HC or CRK and S35VN come to mind. Or is there not that much differentiation?

Brought to you by the Kershaw Westin, a new acquisition that held up well to use today, better than other 8CrEtc knives I've used, and I realized that I think Kershaw does 8CrEtc very well.
 
Bob Dozier and D2.
Swamp Rat Knife Works and 52100.
Carothers Performance Knives and 3V.
Daniel Winkler and 80CrV2.
 
coffeemike said:
Stick around the forum long enough and you'll pick up on budget, everyday and super steels, their various properties, et cetera. You'll also come to understand that heat treatment and manufacturing play a huge role in bringing out - or ruining - a steel's inherent ability.

Are there certain manufacturers you think of that do primarily outstanding, or better than the rest, work with a certain steel? For instance, Buck and 420HC or CRK and S35VN come to mind. Or is there not that much differentiation?

Brought to you by the Kershaw Westin, a new acquisition that held up well to use today, better than other 8CrEtc knives I've used, and I realized that I think Kershaw does 8CrEtc very well.
Click to expand...

I don't think kershaws china factory is owned and operated by Kershaw. If that is the case there should be several other brands doing 8cr just as well. Most times though companies don't even bother mentioning the steel in those grades and lower. I don't ever notice much about heat treat in particular. But I do see certain companies who are much better at putting an edge on knives than others with the new harder alloys being used. Microtech comes to mind. The edge may look like a toddler sharpened it on rock behind the schoolhouse but damn if they cant get a knife sharp. WE also really impresses me with their edges.
 
Fredrik Haakonsen and V4e (and A8 mod)
Scott Gossman and S7 (and A2)
Adam Kornalski and V4e (and k600)
James Helm and 80crv2 (and 5160)
Giedymin and NZ3
Swamprat and 52100
Dorset Woodland blades and 52100 (and 75cr1)
Carothers and 3v
Dozier and D2
Rmj tactical and 4140
 
I don't have enough experience to comment but am just curious: is it generally recognized that CRK does the best with s35vn, esp given that many manufacturers. nowadays use this steel?
 
how does crk have exceptional s35vn? they purposely make it a little soft so its easier to sharpen. its not a bad steel at all, just not optimal for say edge retention, but it still has other worthy properties. also depends on the hrc that they did for your batch/model. some are softer than others, while others are a very good mix between easy to sharpen and edge retention.

kizer actually does some pretty good s35vn in comparison from real world tests. whereas ZT's s35vn scored low in those tests (and zt's elmax scores where it should, unlike the rumors suggest).

have you looked at the tests @CliffStamp @Ankerson and @Cedricada do for edge retention? lots of brands tested.

http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/...ed-on-edge-retention-cutting-5-8-rope.793481/

https://www.youtube.com/user/CedricAda

http://www.cliffstamp.com/knives/reviews/cardboard.html

https://www.youtube.com/user/CliffStamp

bluntcut also has a interesting heat treatment, wonder if it can be used in mass production?? to bring out steels true potential.
http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/heat-treatment-crystal-weaving-foundation.1409721/

most people here will just say anything they own is good without any actual real world data. no offence to them, but data is the only way to really say. one bloke thought his quartermaster was real s35 but turned out to only be soft 440c yet he said it was great steel before, but only when he actually tested it with data did he find out the truth.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...fic-testing-of-Quartermaster-and-Ganzo-knives
 
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". . . manufacturing play a huge role in bringing out - or ruining - a steel's inherent ability."

I totally agree there. I won’t beat that dead horse any more else I will get a shock through my key board from certain forum members.
hahaha when I read the title I thought it meant show pairs of knives with the same steel that is done well so I’m going to post that photo anyway . . .

As far as getting it ALL TO GETHER with a knife and steel, beyond the call and all that :
The Ritter Griptillian in M390
Magic . . . pure magic.
I didn’t realize just what I have for a year or two but I do now.
Second photo obviously.

the Spyderco Endura and Dragonfly, both in ZDP-189, are both TOTALLY great but they, and other very nice knives should come with the ultra mini nippers (when you buy both knives as a set) for cutting wire ties to prevent chipping to nice edges.


Bow down to the Ritter Grip



I second the comment that Cold Steel XHP is great. I use the heck out of that stuff at work. Example I use this thing as a light paring chisel on steel and aluminum.
Im sure you will all agree that a COMPLETE knife collection simply must have a Ti Lite VI razel. (hahaha)
 
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