My favorite steels....

Screwdriver

Screwdriver

Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
1,785
I really like folded steels, differentially treated, and laminates.....don't get me wrong, I dig the steel of the month, it's just that I find these other types if blades fascinating.
 
I would actually like to see the performance improvement (if any) of the damascus/laminated/differentially treated steels versus the homogenius, single tempered steels. Don't get me wrong, damascus steel is beautiful, I just want to know if it is actually better than your "average" steels...which is another debate all together.

If I look at the single steel, single heat treated variants, I'd have to say like S90V, M390, M4 for edge holding and 154 CM for ease of sharpening, maintenance. I don't yet have an S30V but it sounds like it'll be about same, or a bit better than 154 CM. I'm trying to get a hold of a Combative Edge M1 and see how good the N690 holds up...not that I, as an average user will see great differences. But then again, how many Corvette/Porsche/Ferrari owners drive their cars to the limit??? Or for that matter, why do people like Rolex watches when they are so inaccurate?...just cuz we do!
 
If you dig around long enough, you'll find a study done some years ago on the mechanical properties of the old steels vs. new ones. The modern steels win. The main disadvantage of pattern welded steel (IMHO, not according to the study) is the huge potential for inclusions. The disadvantage of wootz type damascus is the segregation (again, IMHO), something that modern steel production takes great pains to avoid.
 
me2 said:
If you dig around long enough, you'll find a study done some years ago on the mechanical properties of the old steels vs. new ones. The modern steels win. The main disadvantage of pattern welded steel (IMHO, not according to the study) is the huge potential for inclusions. The disadvantage of wootz type damascus is the segregation (again, IMHO), something that modern steel production takes great pains to avoid.
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You lost the point of my post....It wasn't an old vs new.....but a fascination with a type of blade steel technique.
 
No, I got your point fine. Read the first paragraph of post number 2.

I rather like the 33 layer stuff done by Shun, Food Network, Calphalon, etc. The relatively low layer count is still adequate to give a good patter, and the center layer is a nice stainless that holds an pretty good edge, at least on my Food Network knife.
 
me2 said:
No, I got your point fine. Read the first paragraph of post number 2.

I rather like the 33 layer stuff done by Shun, Food Network, Calphalon, etc. The relatively low layer count is still adequate to give a good patter, and the center layer is a nice stainless that holds an pretty good edge, at least on my Food Network knife.
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Sorry if I am being dik...but you should quote the post you are replying to.
 
Screwdriver said:
I really like folded steels, differentially treated, and laminates.....don't get me wrong, I dig the steel of the month, it's just that I find these other types if blades fascinating.
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I'm right there with you SD, super steels are cool but there's just something about a handmade or hand treated blade that speaks volumes to me. I love hamon lines, San Mai, clay quenched blades, Damascus :D

JW
 
jbob24 said:
I'm right there with you SD, super steels are cool but there's just something about a handmade or hand treated blade that speaks volumes to me. I love hamon lines, San Mai, clay quenched blades, Damascus :D

JW
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I dig Damascus also...just not into the art Damascus.
 
What do you mean "the art damascus?" Like the stuff that's just for looking at? If thats the case, I agree. Im thinking you meant how those styles can affect a blades performance and characteristics? And I guess i mentioned mostly superficial characteristics... Haha

JW
 
i find i really enjoy damascus but only when the pattern is random, no birdseye or raindrop damascus for me
 
I like the fact that it is possible to take a steel and improve the blade by differential heat treatment or weld different steels and make a better blade than either of the steels could by itself or treat a steel by removing carbon from the surface (Triflex) to make a blade that is better than the original steel for specific applications.
 
Damascus is okay, though I don't like having to pay the premium for something that doesn't have premium performance(at least S30V level) as well. For sheer performance, I'd want a powder stainless steel with as much vanadium as possible. As far as exotic "steels" go(and I'm really stretching it with this one), I'd have to go with Warren Thomas' laminated carbon fiber blades. Truly something I've never seen before. Though most of his works are carbon fiber laminated with titanium, he also makes his 9lines series with G10 and CPM154(though it seems tricky as well as hazardous to sharpen), as well as one with VG-10.
 
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