S35VN or O-1

ron finkbeiner jr

ron finkbeiner jr

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I am ordering a custom from Martin Knives. Which steel should I choose? It will be an edc knife and a shtf knife used for all sorts of situations. It's the Bushcraft Tactical model. Thanks
 
Do you want stainless or carbon? Personally, for a bushcrafter/EDC I would go with the O-1.
 
Depends on your own preferences and availability of sharpening kit. If the knife is used frequently and never sheated wet, there is no real need for a "stainless steel" unless a mirror polish is your thang. If you have a diamond stone, then ease of sharpening isn't really an issue. If you like patina and a metallic tang to acidic foods (which fades as you build up the patina) then go with the O1. Basically, lower maintenance but harder to sharpen and less "food taste issues", choose stainless. General purpose, used every day and slightly more care required, but can pretty much sharpen on anything flat(ish) but will never again (without lots of hard work) look like it's brand new choose the O1. There's a reason the vast majority of bushcraft knives in the UK are O1. We prefer the "old and well used" appearance over the "just bought, brand new (greenhorn)" look. It's easier to tell with an O1 knife which category the carrier falls into.
 
Me personally, I'd go with o1 all day long, but I have zero issues with corrosion here where I live.

It's an easy choice really. Both steels offer distinct advantages over the other. Which are more important to you are a product of your environment, your care habits, and expected usage.
 
It's nice to have a knife that won't rust from touching and using it.

I bought a Bravo 1 in S35vn and was unsure how it would hold up under use. After a few trips into the woods, it's great! Stays sharp for a long time, handles abuse well, and it's still as shiny as new (although a bit scratched up :) ).

The wear resistant S35vn doesn't scratch as easily as high carbon steels, so if you use a kydex sheath it won't get those deep "kydex scratches" as easily if you get a grain of sand or whatever in the sheath.
 
The knife will be used for anything from cutting seals and boxes to defense in a pinch. It will spend a lot of time on my belt.
 
Of course, you can get that "old and well used" look in your kitchen with some mustard or vinegar. :rolleyes:
parbajtor said:
Depends on your own preferences and availability of sharpening kit. If the knife is used frequently and never sheated wet, there is no real need for a "stainless steel" unless a mirror polish is your thang. If you have a diamond stone, then ease of sharpening isn't really an issue. If you like patina and a metallic tang to acidic foods (which fades as you build up the patina) then go with the O1. Basically, lower maintenance but harder to sharpen and less "food taste issues", choose stainless. General purpose, used every day and slightly more care required, but can pretty much sharpen on anything flat(ish) but will never again (without lots of hard work) look like it's brand new choose the O1. There's a reason the vast majority of bushcraft knives in the UK are O1. We prefer the "old and well used" appearance over the "just bought, brand new (greenhorn)" look. It's easier to tell with an O1 knife which category the carrier falls into.
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If the knife will see hard use, O-1. For an EDC blade or if you're worried about corrosion, S35VN.
 
I would say S35VN all the way. I use a benchmade bushcrafter in S30V and I've never had an issue. I vastly prefer stainless over carbon for most applications, including bushcraft. Unless you plan on prying with the knife, go with S35VN.
 
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