Need stainless

L

LLFFMM

Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Messages
12
:confused:
Ive tried a couple of knives in different steels, both non stainless, and I cant seem to keep them from getting those little rust spots :mad:
So I finally decided I should try a stainless blade for once.
The problem is: which knife should I buy ??? :confused:
Was looking for a knife that had a blade length of about 3.5"-5", dont really care about thickness, as long as it can hold up to some regular tasks ;)
Gonna use it mainly for carving, feathersticks and eventually some battoning. Really just normal bushcraft tasks.
As far as budget goes, I really didnt wanted to spend more than $150 :D
Anyways, thanks
LF.
 
Have you tried giving your non-stainless steel a forced patina? Apple cider vinegar works really well for me.
 
gomipile said:
Have you tried giving your non-stainless steel a forced patina? Apple cider vinegar works really well for me.
Click to expand...

This, if you don't mind the patina. Clean them up, then cover them completely in vinegar or mustard or citrus juice (or all three, one after another!)

They'll have a much harder time rusting after that.

You could also afford several of Cold Steel's mid-range knives in AUS8 for $150 - those are pretty decent stainless and make a great steel when heat treated properly (and CS seems to be the best out there at heat treating AUS8)

I've used a Pendleton for carving and batoning, and the steel holds up just fine.
 
If you want an AUS8 fixed blade, I can recommend Cold Steel's Kobun. I've used it for bushcraft, and it's alright as a hunting knife. I'll probably regrind the secondary point of the tanto into a belly eventually, but it's plenty useful as it comes from the factory.
 
Ohh... A patina might be a good idea, but Ive never did one. Does it affects the blade performance at all ?, Can I do it in every steel ?
Thanks for the replies.:D
 
With any well made steel, it'll improve what you let yourself do with the blade, in my experience. You don't worry as much about sap and blood and other stuff that might discolor the blade. Nearly every heavy use blade 100 years ago had a thick patina, and they worked just fine :)

You can put a patina on most tool steels with less chromium than D2. You can do stuff similar to patina with D2 and other stainless using chemicals, like ferric chloride circuit board etchant from Radio Shack, cold gun bluing solution, and rust reformer. That stuff is obviously more dangerous to work with than cider vinegar though, :D.

Any simple carbon steel and low-chromium tool steel should patina just fine with vinegar. If you have to you can use a slightly stronger acid, but it won't be necessary in most cases.

In really difficult cases, you can induce actual rust with mild acid that has a little copper dissolved in it, then use rust reformer on it, and buff it smooth. That'll be a different chemical compound than a natural patina, but it's still food safe after it's been washed thoroughly.
 
Try puting nail polish on the secondary edge so you won't have to sharpen it when your done with the patina just use some nail polish to remove it . IMO that hot vinegar seems to work the best but it will be dark
 
The Ontario Blackbird SK-5 should meet all your requirements. It has a 5 in. blade made of 154cm steel which is a great American-made stainless. It has a full flat grind and a spear point tip. Its thickness is 0.13 inches, or just over 1/8 of an inch. It comes with a good quality nylon sheath. Once you save up enough money to blow on a Hedgehog Leatherworks sheath, it will be perfect. The Hedgehog sheath will cost alot, so to stay in your price range stick with the regular one. And best of all, its made in the good 'ol U.S. of A.!
 
Hands down,the Blackbird SK-5 is the best option here and the best all around knife!

Blade length: 5 inches (127mm)
Overall length: 10 inches (254mm)
Blade thickness: 0.13 inches (3.3mm)
Rockwell Hardness: 58-60 HRC
Knife weight: 8.4 ounces (238.14g)
Steel: 154CM

Spear point
Center lined tip
Full taper flat grind
Removable Canvas Micarta

Plus you can order (if you can afford) a GREAT Hedgehog Leather Sheath.
All is MADE IN USA,and all is in GREAT QUALITY!

What do you need more?
This knife and sheath have EVERYTHING!

P.S. If not a Stainless Steel I vote for ESEE Laser Strike,AMAZING knife!!!
 
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