SAK steel question

F

Fuori

Joined
Oct 13, 2014
Messages
628
I'm a fan of SAK, but I don't know much about their SS. I know there is a drop off, but how significant of one is there from Spyderco's H1? How is the edge retention?
 
I don't know much about H1, don't have experience with it in the field, but SAK's stainless steel is commonly called "INOX" and is usually a formulation similar to Krupp 1.4110 or Sandvik 12C27M and HT'd to ~56 Rc. It is comparable to that used in Moras and Opinels, it is softer than Bucks 420HC (another similar steel). Abrasive Edge-retention is poor due to low carbide content, but cutting efficiency is usually pretty high due to reasonably thin edge-geometry, and it's really easy to sharpen.
 
According to The Swiss Army Knife Owner's Manual, by Michael M. Young, the steel is chrome-moly stainless steel, type X50, containing 15% chromium, .6% silicon, .52% carbon, .5% molybdenum, and .45% manganese. The knife blades are hardened to Rc 56. The wood saw, scissor and nail file are Rc 53. Screwdriver, can opener and reamer are Rc 52. Corkscrew and main springs are Rc 49.

Jim
 
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