More "exotic" traditional steels

[Deinos]

Been getting more into the traditional side of things with collecting/using, and I was curious about non-standard blade steels (i.e. not 1095, 420, 440, etc.). What are your "go to" brands and patterns? I know Queen has some D2, and you have the Benchmade Proper and LionSteel in m390. Where else should I be looking, and what other steels are available?

 

[btb01]

The Case/Bose collaborations are done in 154 CM.

 

[popedandy]

I have a Case trapper in 154cm and I think they have done a few other models in that steel, but they aren't real common. The Schatt&Morgan file and wire series used to be made out of a premium steel. A.G. Russell sells a trapper that has a higher grade steel - VG-10 if my memory serves me correctly.

 

[NJBillK]

Though they are hard to find, the G. Sakai makes a scout with a ZDP-189 main blade
and
A.G. Russell makes a scout with a 154cm main blade.

If you keep an eye on the custom folders section here, you can stumble across a few.

 

[Sabercat]

You can find CPM154 & ATS34 in some Schatt & Morgan models.

 

[W.M.B.]

buck 5160?

 

[wazu013]

Buck offers S30V.

 

[wazu013]

Though they are hard to find, the G. Sakai makes a scout with a ZDP-189 main blade
and
A.G. Russell makes a scout with a 154cm main blade.

If you keep an eye on the custom folders section here, you can stumble across a few.

The G. Sakai is called the Fieldman Trekking knife. Not I got the itch for one.

 

[Groundhogsniper]

Tuna Valley. I believe they are CPM or CM 154.

 

[Cambertree]

The GEC Farm and Field line had some O1 tool steel models. They don't seem to have been using that steel lately though, which is a pity.

Boker Solingen also make some sportsman/hunting style traditional pocketknives with CPM Cru-Wear blades.

 

[tiguy7]

View attachment 759498 View attachment 759497 Here are a couple of pictures of the ZDP-189 Sakai with a SAK for size comparison.

 

[pistonsandgears]

Many custom slip joint knife makers use "exotic" steels, most of them seem to use ATS-34 and 154cm but I have seen other steels used also.

 

[Rookie82]

Tuna Valley. I believe they are CPM or CM 154.

Yes, any of the Tuna knives from 2013 or newer use 154CM steel (except for a few 1-piece special ones that were made with damascus blades).

 

[Lapedog]

Not exactly a commonly thought of traditional but the Higonokamis come in all sorts of neat steels and feature a forged blade. There are also many western pattern traditionals out of Japan with more exotic steels.

I think someone was making replacement blades for SAKs of better steels, I could be wrong though.

 

[brownshoe]

Case and Boker does damascus. Queen has done ATS34, 154cm and BG42.

 

[Boggs]

Even Cold Steel jumped in with their stockman "Ranch Boss" made with 35VN

 

[Pomsbz]

Even Cold Steel jumped in with their stockman "Ranch Boss" made with 35VN

And their Lucky and Lucky One slipjoints also in S35VN.