Question: SK-5 ??

[Grego]

Is this decent steel?
Cold Steel and SOG both use it, and I am kind of on the fence. I have been told that it is comparable to 1080.
Will it have decent edge holding ability with the right edge geometry?

 

[Alberta Ed]

It should, given proper heat treat. And both the makers you name are no slouches in that department IMHO.

 

[Troop]

I love SK-5. Sharpens up like a razor (in a good way) and holds a great edge.
Just make sure of the manufacturer of the knife ref. HT.

 

[Grego]

I love SK-5. Sharpens up like a razor (in a good way) and holds a great edge.
Just make sure of the manufacturer of the knife ref. HT.

Have you owned/used any SK5 produced by Cold Steel...thinking about their Gurka Kukri?

Do they do a good heat treatment.

 

[Troop]

I have a CS Bushman in SK-5. The HT is very good. I would go with any of the CS's in SK-5. Mine is made in China; but the steel is still Japanese (usually). I feel like buying more products in SK-5, just because I like it so much.

 

[Jason B.]

how is it compared to carbon V

 

[knarfeng]

Most reviewers think that the Carbon V was better.
The heat treat that Camillus developed for the Carbon V was legendary.

SK5 is similar to 1080 in carbon content (Although actually you might want to say 1085) but is actually an alloy steel rather than a straight carbon steel.

_______SK5
C_____0.8~0.90
Si_____0.35 Max
Mn_____0.50 Max
P_____0.030 Max
S_____0.030 Max
Cu_____0.25 Max
Ni_____0.25 Max
Cr_____0.30 Max

Carbon steels do not contain copper, Nickel, or Chromium. The nickel improves toughness. The Chromium added in this amount has no impact on corrosion resistance. It is there to improve hardenability.

Carbon V was an alloy steel also.

 

[D R E]

Mike Stewart commented on Sk-5 in another post. Said if done properly is better in many ways than "Carbon V". Funny thing is the blade will probably outlast most people's average use of the knife.

I know, Bladeforums is for commenting and questioning the merits of all the cutlery steels in use. It really is simple as what is the thickness of said steel, bevel acuteness, heat treat, carbon or stainless etc. A thick blade will not break like a thin blade. A thin blade will cut better than a thick blade. A "stainless" blade will not corrode as quickly as a carbon blade. Etc.

I like the simple philosophy of buy the best you can within reason and take care of that purchase like you would any other material object you value. Also of the mind that you use the correct tool for the job. You want to dig a hole, use a shovel or trowel. Chop down a tree, try an axe - they work great for that Break up concrete block - come on already!

I am an avid collector and user for many years and like them all for their various strengths and weaknesses but a knife is, by its very nature, designed to errode through use. Enjoy the tool for what is is - a man made invention to make life a little easier. Thats about it.

Now go out there and continue to support the fine knife makers and make your own life a little more enjoyable in the process - end of sermon

Dan

 

[Jason B.]

the only carbon V knife I have is a true flight thrower and well I can't throw a knife so I sharpened it. I put this knife through a good edge retension test last week and I am still amazed by it, It beat my kershaw D2 outcast by a mile.