Ranking of Steels in Categories based on Edge Retention cutting 5/8" rope

[djdawg]

Ankerson ......... you obviously put alot of work into this and for that Iam thankful. I have a hard time believing that ZDP is so far down the list.
I also have a hard time with D-2 being in the same catagory as S30V ......... however it is what it is I suppose.
I suppose I believe too much of the hype on the steels I read ............ again thanks for your efforts....dj

 

[bb11]

Great test! Tons of information. Recommend it for a Sticky.

 

[mikellen]

Helo Mr. Ankerson,

You stated this in your initial post: "All the knives started at 14 ~ 15 LBS of down force except for M390 because it cuts so aggressively."

Does that mean that the down force was less than 14-15 lbs.? If so does that imply that M390 cuts easier (needs less physical energy) than the S90V and CTS-20CP?

Thanks.

 

[The Mastiff]

if I could get a Vascoware gerber would you be interested in testing?

I don't know how hard Gerber ran their Vascowear in the Sportsman 2 ( only model they used it in from the best recollection I have, which isn't great anymore. ) but the steel and knife should be a good performer. It would definitely be a knife he would have to change the edge on if it's still factory set. Mine was close to 60 degrees inclusive, thick, but still shaved.

It took me about 20 years to finally get a "V" wear Gerber and now I want a user. It's LNIB which makes me want to hoard the thing instead of using it. I suppose that's proof that getting your "grail" knife won't stop that "itch" that a lot of us have.

And.... I have that Cruwear mule to use anyway.

Joe

 

[Ankerson]

Helo Mr. Ankerson,

You stated this in your initial post: "All the knives started at 14 ~ 15 LBS of down force except for M390 because it cuts so aggressively."

Does that mean that the down force was less than 14-15 lbs.? If so does that imply that M390 cuts easier (needs less physical energy) than the S90V and CTS-20CP?

Thanks.

No, it was just the blade geometry, thinner blade.

 

[Ballenxj]

I also have a hard time with D-2 being in the same catagory as S30V .........

I have to ask why you would say that? IMO they are "both" very good. I have one of each simply because of their reputation. Both Benchmade's.
-Bruce

 

[djdawg]

Because I re guard D-2 as being better than S30V ........... I think D-2 holds its edge better than S30V.

 

[Ballenxj]

Because I re guard D-2 as being better than S30V ........... I think D-2 holds its edge better than S30V.

OK, I can live with that answer. Meanwhile I think I going to have to trust Ankerson's testing. After all, he has put a lot of effort into this.
-Bruce

 

[Noctis3880]

Because I re guard D-2 as being better than S30V ........... I think D-2 holds its edge better than S30V.

It's CPM-D2 actually, and just one particular heat treatment. I assure you that Bob Dozier's D2 is still king:thumbup:.

 

[Ankerson]

Because I re guard D-2 as being better than S30V ........... I think D-2 holds its edge better than S30V.

Not at the same hardness it won't, the alloy content just isn't there in D2 to make the carbides, S30V has a much higher carbide content than D2.

The only reason CPM D2 is in the same Category as S30V is because CPM D2 was at 62 HRC and S30V was at 60 HRC.

 

[Ballenxj]

Ankerson, Have you by chance done any of this testing on "Old School" knives such as the older LB7's? Reason I ask is I did a bit of searching out of curiosity, and found a quote from the Schrade archives circa 2000 where Schrade stated that their early Schrade Plus steel was equal to 1095, but with stainless properties.
The steel I'm talking about was their AISI 440A.
Any info about this would be appreciated.
-Bruce

 

[Ankerson]

Ankerson, Have you by chance done any of this testing on "Old School" knives such as the older LB7's? Reason I ask is I did a bit of searching out of curiosity, and found a quote from the Schrade archives circa 2000 where Schrade stated that their early Schrade Plus steel was equal to 1095, but with stainless properties.
The steel I'm talking about was their AISI 440A.
Any info about this would be appreciated.
-Bruce

Don't have any 440A around anymore, but I do have a Dozier D2 blade and a friction forged D2 blade I need to run here really soon after the plumbers get done at the house.

 

[djdawg]

Don't have any 440A around anymore, but I do have a Dozier D2 blade and a friction forged D2 blade I need to run here really soon after the plumbers get done at the house.

I,d like to hear about the Dozier..............

 

[Ankerson]

I,d like to hear about the Dozier..............

As soon as I can move the stuff back out of my testing area I can do something, should be soon.

 

[djdawg]

Thanks ....I,d like to hear how Doziers D-2 does ........I have two of his knives , but there both safe queens
One of these days I,ll probably sell them , then again I havent yet .....LOL
Been to the blade show twice and bought one at each show.

 

[Ankerson]

Thanks ....I,d like to hear how Doziers D-2 does ........I have two of his knives , but there both safe queens
One of these days I,ll probably sell them , then again I havent yet .....LOL
Been to the blade show twice and bought one at each show.

I think it will show fine as it should, his stuff seems to be consistent from the people I talk to, the one here is around .025" behind the edge as it is (Haven't reprofiled it yet) so I should be able to rank it.

 

[confucius37]

Ankerson, this thread is amazing, thanks for putting in all the time and effort into this!

Have you ever thought about doing something similar with larger blades for a "toughness" test of sorts like a chopping test, etc? Seems like that would get a good amount of interest in these parts.

 

[Ankerson]

Ankerson, this thread is amazing, thanks for putting in all the time and effort into this!

Have you ever thought about doing something similar with larger blades for a "toughness" test of sorts like a chopping test, etc? Seems like that would get a good amount of interest in these parts.

As far as toughness goes it's really a given based on data from the steel companies and the knife makers will HT with that in mind for the large knives.

Plus one would really be looking at full blown customs for most of that testing.... Read expensive.

 

[shunsui]

I do have a Dozier D2 blade and a friction forged D2 blade I need to run here really soon.

That sounds like an E Ticket ride. Bring it on. :thumbup:

 

[Rapt_up]

Not to mention that to do real toughness testing means testing to failure... We don't want Ankerson to be breaking knives... Thats not right...