Rat3 in D2 or CS Master Hunter in Carbon V?

R

Redwolf

Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
45
Here we go again guys. :o I know it's a personal decision, but which of these 2 blades would you choose and why?

I have no experience with either maker or steel, therefore I would like to hear comments from those who do.

I just want a basic utility work and play knife. A beater that cuts well, holds an edge, and is easily resharpened.

Help me out guys.

Rus
 
I'd vote for the Master Hunter in Carbon V -- D2 can be tricky to sharpen. Carbon V is a superb high carbon steel, holds a great edge and is easy to sharpen -- the only drawback is that it will rust unless you take minimal care. D2 is more rust resistant (judging from a Dozier K2) but still can rust.
 
I'd rate Carbon V in its current incarnation as a bit above 1095. It has a little bit of chromium (mainly for heat treating properties, from what I've read) and a bit of vanadium. It's a kissing cousin to 52100, which has a bit more chromium and less or no vanadium. To quote Joe Talmage's FAQ on steels, Carbon V is a very good steel. It is 50100b which is almost the same as 52100 except that is has less chromium. It has about .4% and 52100 has about 1.5%. Also 50100b has about .15% vanadium in it whereas 52100 has none or very little, like less than .05%. It is a pretty good balance between hardness, sharpness, and toughness. For a tougher blade you could go to multi-quenched 5160 or 52100. Carbon V would work well for a large knife if you aren't going to use it extensively as a crowbar. It is pretty similar to O1 which has been used for Randall fighting knives for decades.
 
Guys, a bit of caution. The old version of carbon v as reffered by Talmadge is made for CS by Camillus and uses their 0170-6c carbon steel whic as stated by Talmadge is close to or even is 52100b. But since the troubles at Camillus a few months back and the dwindling stocks of beckers using the same steel, CS could be contracting other factories to make them and not using the same steel, in fact any steel can be carbon v as they do not state the composition of it. Its like the surgical stainless steel hype. So unless them be old stock CS I would think twice.
 
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