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newbie question here

K

kardar2

Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
8
Hello all
Happy New year.okay I am 47 years old and I have had many of pocket knives. I am learning more in depths about how knives are made and the steel used. I have been reading the forum and the word surgical steel is over used and it is not a real good metal in knives. So my question: Different knives like Case for example they want $69 for a medium stockman knife. So if if this surgical steel is not great why is their knife so much? Thanks Karl
 
Welcome. Its more expensive because Case does not use, or claim to use, "surgical" steel. The steels they use are known. I forget offhand exactly which ones they use. Knives that claim to use "surgical" steel do that because they dont want to identify which junk steel they are using.

So. Case uses quality, named cutlery steels and does not need to hide behind "surgical."

Excellent question. Enjoy BF and get yourself that Case stockman. Honestly, its probably all the knife any sane human will ever need. But nobody, including myself, is particularly sane about knives around here
 
To expand upon what Marcinek said, I believe Case uses 420HC, the same stuff buck uses on most of their knives. The only difference being the heat treat, Buck 420HC (BOS) is at about 59 Rockwell hardness, and Case runs theirs at 45 give or take a couple points. My large sod buster has been great, sharpens easily, holds an edge for awhile, and can take a hair popping edge. :)
 
Case uses 420hc steel, same as Buck. Buck's heat treat is generally better regarded. Case knives are expensive because they are more like pocket jewelry, with fancy dyed bone and whatnot.
 
Get the Case in cv steel. It will develop more character IMHO . I like my traditionals to have carbon steel blades although there really isn't anything wrong with the stainless models
 
Case uses a stainless steel they call "Tru-Sharp" which is 420HC stainless steel made for them by Latrobe Specialty Metals.

$69 is a bit high for the actual market price for a Case Medium Stockman, depending on the specific model and handle material.
 
9blades said:
To expand upon what Marcinek said, I believe Case uses 420HC, the same stuff buck uses on most of their knives. The only difference being the heat treat, Buck 420HC (BOS) is at about 59 Rockwell hardness, and Case runs theirs at 45 give or take a couple points. My large sod buster has been great, sharpens easily, holds an edge for awhile, and can take a hair popping edge. :)
Click to expand...

Did you mean 54? The softer steel makes them a little tougher and easier to maintain.
 
Different knives like Case for example they want $69 for a medium stockman knife. So if if this surgical steel is not great why is their knife so much?
Click to expand...

Most of the knives I've seen advertised as "surgical steel" are very low end imports. You don't know what kind of steel it is, the other materials aren't great either, and the fit-and-finish isn't usually very good.
For the extra money buying a Case gets you nicer handle materials, better steel, and a warranty. And they're made in the USA.

$69 seems very high for a Case stockman, unless it was some special edition or exotic handle material. A Case Medium Stockman in CV steel and jigged bone handles, like the one below, costs about $45 at a reputable online dealer.
6995.jpg
 
Yes, as others have already mentioned, 'surgical steel' has bad reputation among knife enthusiasts, so I was very surprised to read this in a description of Case knife on reputable website selling knives:

Selected patterns are available with Tru-Sharp™ surgical steel blades.
Click to expand...

This may have prompted OP to ask this question.
 
Surgical steel is not quite what the "surgeons" use...just a name used to draw attention to the less informed.
Here is a link that will "learn" you lots and keep you busy reading for some time. Very valuable info.
http://zknives.com/index.shtml

Like most tools, hammers, saws, planes, etc. there are many different types of steel for a variety of uses and are purpose driven.
It all depends on use, ease of use, anti corrosion properties, etc.

I'd not want a knife that sees hard field use away from civilization that requires special hones to keep it sharp. I prefer a steel that can be easily sharpened with a smaller, hand held stone/diamond hone. But at home I love to spend time with my Lansky system sharpening and polishing the edge of my knives. It all depends.
 
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