S30V steel vs 1095 High Carbon Steel?

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Rento

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Hope this isn't a repost, I was wondering which of the two is a stronger and better metal for a 4" blade (Balisong). The blade will be used for EDC, and may come across random packaging...
 
S30V is a high end blade steel, 303 Stainless is too soft a steel for blades and is what a balisong maker might use for handles.
 
Yeah... I messed up with this thread... I noticed the blade is made of 1095 High Carbon Steel, not 303...

Which I actually just turned up info on a comparison showing s30v is indeed stronger...

My main concern over this question is that i'm looking at Armand Palacio custom Balisongs and hear they are of very very great quality for EDC. However, a Bradley Mayhem made with the nearly obsolete s30v at ~$30 cheaper is nice...

However, I like Palacio Balis more since they are symmetrical and moreover, custom handmade in the Philippines.
 
1095 when done properly and for that matter 01 are my two favorite steels. I don't see why s30v would be better than the high carbon steels other than it is popular right now. A high carbon non stainless to me just takes a better edge for all around cutting. I have had many knives of both and prefer the carbon steel. Hard to describe the edge it can get, just a real fine toothy edge that I prefer for cutting. Anyways if it is 1095 I'd go for it. Put some Rem oil on the blade or wax if you prefer and your good to go. keepem sharp
 
Josh K said:
Where did you get 303 from?
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I believe the thread starter originally had written 303 by mistake because 303 stainless steel is what Palacio uses for their handles, then edited it to reflect the blade steel.

I think the Palacio is a little overpriced. It's nice that it's got a longer blade and custom made, but the production balis seem like a better value considering the materials used.
 
Josh K said:
Where did you get 303 from?
Click to expand...

In the description it says -

Blade Materials - 1095 High Carbon Steel
Handle Materials - 303 Stainless Steel

and I wasn't paying attention.

longbow said:
1095 when done properly and for that matter 01 are my two favorite steels. I don't see why s30v would be better than the high carbon steels other than it is popular right now. A high carbon non stainless to me just takes a better edge for all around cutting. I have had many knives of both and prefer the carbon steel. Hard to describe the edge it can get, just a real fine toothy edge that I prefer for cutting. Anyways if it is 1095 I'd go for it. Put some Rem oil on the blade or wax if you prefer and your good to go. keepem sharp
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'ma just pay $275 for the handmade, custom, more cultural and traditional Balisong. Even though it'll be my first Balisong and I will flip it quite often while i'm not doing anything... It's mainly the cultural and heritage value and secondly the one-off/custom trait that makes me pick it over something like Mayhem, Typhoon, or even a BM-42.
 
i have knives from both alloys
if heat treat is correct both are great users
1095 may not cut quite as long but i.m.o. is more forgiving
i'm old school & believe carbon gives a more biting edge.
in extreme cold [ -30 degrees f ] 1095 would probably be less brittle
no empirical evidence just a hunch
will have to hear from alaska boys to know for sure.
 
I have a number of blades made of both materials.

I would say that 1095 is tougher and more suited to larger fixed blades. Is easy to sharpen and is less toothy an edge but gets keener I believe.

S30V is much more corrosion resistant obviously, has a more toothy aggressive edge and is less suited to larger stock knived since I believe they are more prone to chipping.
 
DennisStrickland said:
i have knives from both alloys
if heat treat is correct both are great users
1095 may not cut quite as long but i.m.o. is more forgiving
i'm old school & believe carbon gives a more biting edge.
in extreme cold [ -30 degrees f ] 1095 would probably be less brittle
no empirical evidence just a hunch
will have to hear from alaska boys to know for sure.
Click to expand...

I too feel that 1095 has a more biting edge. It can also take a thinner edge than S30V. S30V does cut for longer, and is stainless. I'm prefering carbon steel in my utility knives.
 
I do continue to remain impressed with the S30V used on my Spyderco Military. I hacked through a large shrub around my pool pump this weekend using the Military. Branches were up to 1/2' thick and the knife sliced right through about 100+ branches. After I was done the edge would still take hair off my arm. No rolling or chipping at all.
 
The post you are replying to is 6 years old. Ive done the same thing but I thought I would let you know.

Welcome to the forum
 
Thanks for the heads up on the necro thread KBA but at least we learned something. Apparently s30v was nearly obsolete 6 years ago! Who knew?! ;)


Rento said:
However, a Bradley Mayhem made with the nearly obsolete s30v at ~$30 cheaper is nice...
Click to expand...
 
Yep, you never know what pearls of wisdom one finds. It has to be true since it's on the internet too. Double win!
:D
 
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