Need help?

[nick-nack]

Ive been looking for a perfect fixed blade for the woods but cant find it.
I was debating between 154cm and s30v steel for my knife, which will be around 8in in length (total) and about 5mm thick. Are these good? or should i go for another? and Where should I buy it from?
I will be having the profile water jet cut then probably will send it away to have the grinds, heat treat and edge done by someone else. Any recommendations?
I also can't decide on a handle material - Im not that big a fan of woods and was wonering about micarta, g10 or maybe carbon fiber. Which one would look better on this kind of knife, be more durable in Aus weather and easier to shape with the bare minimum tools? Any good sources? This is probably the part I will do myself.

Thanks
Nick

 

[Rob!]

From the steels you listed, both are fine blade steels - but the S30V will outperform the 154CM. On a blade size piece of steel, the price difference should only be a few bucks. S30V will probably be more expensive to finish.

All the handle materials you listed are durable, easy to work and attractive if done right. Remember to use a mask when sanding. The dust is toxic.

Also, water jet cutting of a single blade is going to be very expensive I would think. It would be much less expensive to let your chosen maker profile it.

Rob!

 

[Keith_H]

Consider a carbon steel. I am a micarta fan. it is tough, durable, easy to file, grippy, wont shrink and is beautiful. G10 is nice also. Carbon fibre is not as user friendly to work with.