Ontario 1095 steel vs 5160 steel

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wolverine_173

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Im thinking about the ranger series of knives. The RD4 or the RD6. They come in 1095 steel and 5160 steel. I am leaning towards 5160 because I hear it is better, is that true??
 
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wolverine_173 said:
Should 1095 be tough enough for most general use? batoning/chopping?
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I would say 1095 does ok.
 
Absolutely, 1095 is a great steel for harder use. Though it is worth mentioning that Ontarios RTAKII in 1095 had some problems with the heat treatment, causing knives to break. The newer ones in 5160 didn't have that problem. Then again, my DPX Hest (also 1095) made by Ontario has held up very nice so far and I haven't babied it.
 
Both are tough enough for batoning if you want to do that for some reason. 5160 is tougher overall though and is more likely to stand up to repeated abuse. 1095 is still pretty tough and will suit more people's purposes in a bushcraft or survival role.

People say 1095 holds and edge better but IME, there seems to be little difference.
 
I say blade geometry and heat treat are the keys to any knives true performance ability.
 
Ontario does a pretty good job with 5160. I have pounded on my SP53 with no problems even after thinning the edge.
After all its been through I trust that knife 100%. I don't think I could break it if I tried.
 
wolverine_173 said:
Im thinking about the ranger series of knives. The RD4 or the RD6. They come in 1095 steel and 5160 steel. I am leaning towards 5160 because I hear it is better, is that true??
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No one steel is "better" than any other. For a Ranger RD, I'd lean towards the 5160. While either will be fine 5160 is a bit more of a "bomb proof beat the bejeebus out of" steel and the RDs are "bomb proof beat the bejeebus outta stuff" knives.

Though I would be stunned if you can manage to mess up a 1095 RD.
 
Firestrike said:
I say blade geometry and heat treat are the keys to any knives true performance ability.
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True. But if you compare two identical knives made of different steels like we are doing here, the differences will come from the steels used in the knives.

For once, geometry doesn't matter.
 
mcrow said:
Both are tough enough for batoning if you want to do that for some reason. 5160 is tougher overall though and is more likely to stand up to repeated abuse. 1095 is still pretty tough and will suit more people's purposes in a bushcraft or survival role.

People say 1095 holds and edge better but IME, there seems to be little difference.
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Agree with all said. Won't be able to tell differance in edge retension. My buck punk's i've abuse with batoning through pressure treated 5' 4x4's and still have shaving edge. Very impressed with 5160.
 
marcinek said:
No one steel is "better" than any other. For a Ranger RD, I'd lean towards the 5160. While either will be fine 5160 is a bit more of a "bomb proof beat the bejeebus out of" steel and the RDs are "bomb proof beat the bejeebus outta stuff" knives.

Though I would be stunned if you can manage to mess up a 1095 RD.
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I think the difference, assuming same exact knife/blade design, is that 1095 is tough enough for taking into the woods. You can baton with it, dress game with it....just about anything you want to do with a knife. Now, if you are going to depend on a knife as your primary tool that you may have to use for purposes knives are not generally used for you might want 5160 because it is about as "bomb proof" as a knife steel can get.

If you are a preper and need a knife for the bugout bag, I'd probably go with 5160 because if the poop hits the fan you never know what you might have to use that knife for.
 
mcrow said:
I think the difference, assuming same exact knife/blade design, is that 1095 is tough enough for taking into the woods. You can baton with it, dress game with it....just about anything you want to do with a knife. Now, if you are going to depend on a knife as your primary tool that you may have to use for purposes knives are not generally used for you might want 5160 because it is about as "bomb proof" as a knife steel can get.

If you are a preper and need a knife for the bugout bag, I'd probably go with 5160 because if the poop hits the fan you never know what you might have to use that knife for.
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I believe we are in agreement.
 
mcrow said:
Yes, I just was adding to what you said.
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Well. I guess we will just have to agree to agree. :D

Steels aside I do really like the Ranger RD series. Full flat grind, no unnecessary bells-and-whistles, reasonably-priced, pretty much indestructible. Fit and finish aren't as "precious" as on some other knives....but Rangers aren't really about "pretty." And Justin Gingrich, they guy behind them, is a good guy. I'd get the RD7 and have a blast beating the snot out of innocent objects like trees with it.
 
I think you would have a very hard time telling a difference between the two. They are very, very similar, and in use you won't see much difference. They are both excellent steels. Both are carbon steels and will rust readily, but just wipe with a little oil and have no worries. If I were in your shoes, I'd just order and be happy either way with what showed up on the porch.
 
5160 is tougher, while 1095 will take a hold a better edge.
 
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