Old Hickory 1095 or 1075

R

R.B.K.

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Oct 8, 2020
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Just bought the 6” skinner to convert into a nessmuk. I see they went to 1075. But I also see two different looking versions of the 7051. One has a darker handle and ribs on the blade. The other is smoother and a lighter handle. Curious if they are different and maybe one is the 1095 and the other is 1075. Anyway for me to know which I got? Any reason to want one over the other?
 
Honestly the 1095 on my old hick is disappointing. Doesn't take a razor edge like my other knives. Maybe I got a bad one, but it might as well be a lower grade of steel.
 
All the Old Hickory knives I've come across have had lousy edge holding, I suspect because they're tempered very soft.
 
yeah, even if it is 1095, they tend to temper more, reducing the hardness to gain toughness, which also reduces edge retention...
they are great for tough/hard use and get a very workable edge off of any river stone etc :)
 
dirc said:
yeah, even if it is 1095, they tend to temper more, reducing the hardness to gain toughness, which also reduces edge retention...
they are great for tough/hard use and get a very workable edge off of any river stone etc :)
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This is what I’m looking for out of the knife.
 
Got some old hickory.
Not as good as the old one my grandparents had.
I like Dexter Russel classics better than the OH.
Dexter makes a skinner too.
 
R.B.K. said:
Just bought the 6” skinner to convert into a nessmuk. I see they went to 1075. But I also see two different looking versions of the 7051. One has a darker handle and ribs on the blade. The other is smoother and a lighter handle. Curious if they are different and maybe one is the 1095 and the other is 1075. Anyway for me to know which I got? Any reason to want one over the other?
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The version with leather sheath is 1075, where-as OG is still 1095 last I researched (version without the sheath). Personally prefer the 1095, as have have good luck over the decades.

PhotoGrid_1644869979581~2.jpg
 
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DaveHb said:
Got some old hickory.
Not as good as the old one my grandparents had.
I like Dexter Russel classics better than the OH.
Dexter makes a skinner too.
Click to expand...
I have the Russell hunter blade that I like a lot. I went with old hickory for a few reasons. One to try something different, two it was cheaper and already had a handle, and three because this is my first time and if I screw it up I’m not out as much. If this goes well I will buy the Buffalo or sheep skinner and make another one.
 
The Old Hic 7150 specs on Ontario's site says 1095. It's just some of the newer bushcrafty knives that are 1075.
 
I think this is because they did a switch sometime in 2019 or something. When I was first getting into knives and bought the Ontario SP-1, it was originally 1095, now it is 1075, for toughness. Still listed as 1095 in places.
 
It's a real shame to see manufacturers treat on the soft side of steel just to be safe. 1075 is an all around better steel in every way vs 1095, but requires a higher hardness to unlock it's potential.
 
I have two of the OH Fish & Small Game (Kephart) knives in 1075. Both of them came with bent tips. Both of them I was able to bend back to almost straight with my fingers. I'm not positively impressed by the heat treatment.
 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jYo4Z6Z2tzXnRVne8
Still trying to figure the picture thing out but here is the somewhat finished product. I only used a cheap harbor freight bench grinder and a cooler with ice water in it. I may go back and do some finishing to it but it’ll do for now. Took a decent edge pretty easy. Don’t have Nessmuk’s book so Colonel Whelen’s will have to do.
 
R.B.K. said:
I have the Russell hunter blade that I like a lot. I went with old hickory for a few reasons. One to try something different, two it was cheaper and already had a handle, and three because this is my first time and if I screw it up I’m not out as much. If this goes well I will buy the Buffalo or sheep skinner and make another one.
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Kit and blank prices are crazy.
I bought the hunter already handled for 12.95 about a month ago.
Gotta buy a few to make it worth while because of shipping though.
I think jantz or crazy crow wanted 22 for the kit.
I’ll pay the cheaper price for a finished one rather 22 for one I have to spend several hours on.
 
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SwissHeritageCo said:
1075 is an all around better steel in every way vs 1095, but requires a higher hardness to unlock it's potential.
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Hashishiin said:
... it was originally 1095, now it is 1075, for toughness.
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Curious, as to belief that 1075 is "all around better steel" and that Ontario changed for reason of "toughness".

My understanding producing in 1075 vs. 1095 was related cost savings for manufacturer.

Additionally, many mfr's run 1095 between 58-60HRC, and some take it to 64-65HRC. 1075 not gonna match those specs and options.
 
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1075 will indeed be tougher than 1095. I have found it to be noticeably so.

1095 will have increased wear resistance over 1075. I believe this would be a bit harder to notice in real world use than the toughness aspect of the two steels.

1075 can reach an "as quenched" hardness approaching that of 1095, within 1 Rc point or so.

Both steels, when heat treated properly and ground with a geometry to match the intended use, are excellent steels.
 
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