S7 Steel Comparison

[Dave Behrens]

I am very interested in this steel and am going to try in some upcoming designs regardless of the outcome of this thread. I know Scrapyard Knife Co. has used it, as well as Ontario Knife Co. I want to here from anyone who has USED an S7 blade, as well as any of the other higher end toolsteel/s (D2, O1, all the CPMs etc.) and can objectively compare them all, pros and cons. From what I have heard, S7 is comparable to 5160 w/ more toughness, and edge retention. Any further first hand knowledge is welcome. And again I would appreciate comparison/s pros and cons, not recommendations. If you have USED S7 or the other steels and believe they are garbage, state specifically why. Justly, if you believe S7 or any of these steels are the best thing since sliced bread, state specifically why.

 

[wnease]

I love S7 in spite of the expense
Easy to harden in air
Less warping than my other sword steels (5160, 8670m, O1)
Tougher by far, really far, than other blade steels except S5
Sometimes I use it for smaller blades (like 6") for abusive applications, really not the best for edge holding but that's not why we talk about S7!

 

[XanRa]

I love S7 in spite of the expense
Easy to harden in air
Less warping than my other sword steels (5160, 8670m, O1)
Tougher by far, really far, than other blade steels except S5
Sometimes I use it for smaller blades (like 6") for abusive applications, really not the best for edge holding but that's not why we talk about S7!

All these reasons!


And in other steels- the o steels are amazing too
(the metal shear in our shop has an o2 blade)
O steels seem to be great for anything when done right

But I'm still an s7 lover

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

I love S7 in spite of the expense
Easy to harden in air
Less warping than my other sword steels (5160, 8670m, O1)
Tougher by far, really far, than other blade steels except S5
Sometimes I use it for smaller blades (like 6") for abusive applications, really not the best for edge holding but that's not why we talk about S7!

That's why I bought a bunch of it!