S7 as a kitchen knife material?

Carl_First_Timer

Carl_First_Timer

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Dec 6, 2010
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Does anyone have experience with S7 for any type of knife? I have a large chunk of it sitting in my shop from an old tool. I would like to use it for making a few kitchen knifes, and possibly other types of knives as well depending on the consensus.

Is it a good knife for cutlery? Would it be good for a drop point?

Thanks,
Carl
 
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wow, huge influx of kitchen knife posts today.

S7 makes a very good knife, it doesnt hold an edge like 1095 or cpm154 but it is a very sturdy steel. take it to about 57rc and it will never break. I have made a handfull of 10-11" blade choppers with it and it performs very well.
 
kungfumo said:
wow, huge influx of kitchen knife posts today.

S7 makes a very good knife, it doesnt hold an edge like 1095 or cpm154 but it is a very sturdy steel. take it to about 57rc and it will never break. I have made a handfull of 10-11" blade choppers with it and it performs very well.
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Cool. Too bad my chunk of S7 is only 8.5" long. I plan to make some little dicing style knives for Christmas and give em to family. I'll post when I get one done.
 
Carl,
You say you have a big chunk of S-7, from an old tool, are you planning to forge it out, or anneal it and cut it up. I ask because I have found S-7 rather difficult to forge. You may be better off starting with a new piece of steel.
Thanks,
Del
 
delbert ealy said:
Carl,
You say you have a big chunk of S-7, from an old tool, are you planning to forge it out, or anneal it and cut it up. I ask because I have found S-7 rather difficult to forge. You may be better off starting with a new piece of steel.
Thanks,
Del
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It actually is soft now. I plan to drill and ream the rivet holes, send the piece out to harden, and cut the knifes out with a wire EDM.
 
I should be able to make around 12 of these out of my blank of material.

chopper.jpg
 
If you can make that many from your chunk of steel, why not go for a nice set of steak knives?


n.m. I just saw that you want to give them as holiday gifts, better get busy if you are going to finish those before X-mas


-Xander
 
fast14riot said:
If you can make that many from your chunk of steel, why not go for a nice set of steak knives?


n.m. I just saw that you want to give them as holiday gifts, better get busy if you are going to finish those before X-mas


-Xander
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Well I hadn't figured out who to give more than 4 to. :D I could use a nice set of steak knives. Great Idea, thanks.
 
I've never worked with it, but here's what I've read: S7 is a shock-resistant steel, developed for jackhammer bits and whatnot. It's on the low-end for edge-retention among common cutlery steels but is often used successfully on big choppers, 'hawks and other pieces that really take a beating.

I would not choose S7 for a thin, fine-edged kitchen knife, that's just not what it's designed for. Maybe a cleaver. I think you will end up sharpening it a LOT. I'd choose either O1 or CPM154 depending on your preference. Both will take and keep a very nice edge and are plenty tough for kitchen work.

Then again, if you have a bunch on hand at least you know what it is and can inform your HT guy so he can get the most out of it for you.
 
I recently bought some S7 from Aldo. My intended use for the S7 is throwing knives and choppers, etc... S7 would be far from my first choice for a kitchen knife.
 
Thanks James/Danbo that is what I was looking for.

Anyone have a picture of something it would be good for? What is a chopper? (I can assume, but we all know what happens then)
 
Carl_First_Timer said:
What is a chopper? (I can assume, but we all know what happens then)
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It's a big knife used for chopping things ;)

Usually 9-10" blade, as much as 2" wide, 1/4" (or even more) thick at the spine. Generally either full-flat or full-convex grinds. Great for knocking down and sectioning saplings/deadwood for a campfire or shelter. Not so great for slicing tomatoes or field-dressing dinner.

Google "cutting competitions" and you'll find all kinds of cool choppers.

What are the dimensions of the chunk you have?
 
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