question about "proprietary" steels...

[SkaerE]

like Cold Steel's Carbon V and Busse's INFI steels.

i understand that Carbon V has changed a few times and is probably now 50100 with a fancy name?

how about INFI steel? any "regular" steel that is close to it? (ie, is it just a production steel w/ a fancy name?)

not to step on anyone's toes but is it as great of a super steel as advertised or is it just that, advertising?

thanks again

 

[peter nap]

Invest in 5160. It beats all the soccer mom steels hands down. Really, a lot of the brand name stuff changes from time to time. Does that tell you anything about how good it is!

 

[SkaerE]

fair enough. how does 5160 compare to O1? ive just recently begun trying my hand at knife making. (stock removal) and have been using O1 so far. can you heat treat 5160 at home as well? does it respond well to multiple quenches and tempers?

thanks again

 

[RARanney]

Yes.

 

[R Dannemann]

A lot of the brand name stuff probably changes due to availability or next batch pricing.

Am sure the production guys would like to keep using the same stuff, given their advertising and any changes to manufacturing process.

 

[peter nap]

Everyone knows my preference for 5160. That's just a personal preference though. 01 is very good. most of the 10 series will work well. I use 5160 more because it is a friendly steel. It forges well and forgives a lot of mistakes in the heat treat. Multiple quenches improve it a great deal. It takes and holds a good edge and gives up very little to the other knifemakers choice steels. I've never found an easier steel to home heat treat than 5160. It takes a good finish and wears well. The biggest complaint I have with it is that it does not produce as dramatic temper line as something like 1085.