OU-31 vs 3V

Joined
Oct 4, 2016
Messages
61
Anyone had experience in using OU-31 steel? Is it similar to 3V, in terms of toughness and edge retention, ease of sharpening etc.?
 
Same question as above, kiku matsuda? If so the first problem we'll run in to comparing the two steels is that, to my knowledge, there aren't many knives made of 3v with comparable enough geometry to kikus grinds to comment purely on the steel.

I don't have any experience with either steel, but I browse and shop around a lot and all the knives I see made of 3v look so different from kikus, I'd think there'd be too many other factors involved to compare steel.
 
It has similar carbon and chrome content, but it has lots of Cobalt in it, so it will have different characteristics. What I have read from in the past is the performance is all over the place, probably due to lack of knowledge on how to properly HT it, much like 3V had in it's early days. With proper HT I am sure it is every bit as good in most ways and with the cobalt has more heat resistance and corrosion resistance than 3V. But that is only a guess.
 
Back
Top