@Sal: steel suggestion - an exotic German alloy

[Quiet Storm]

Since Spyderco is constantly trying to raise the knife industry's bar in terms of steel performance, I'd like to suggest a rather unusual alloy: 1.2453.
The name stems from the DIN (German AISI equivalent) classifications.

It has about 1.25% carbon, around 5% tungsten, and negligible (< .50%) amounts of other elements. It can be hardened to the low to mid 60s.

This steel's stong points should be a lot of hard carbides and the ability to take a fine edge. I think it would be a great choice for a short to medium-sized blade.
2453's original application are cold-drawing dies (whatever that means for its performance in cutting applications).

Unfortunately it does not seem to be available in sizes that lend themselves to knife manufacturing, which is why I had to cancel my plan to get a small fixed blade with a 2453 blade.
A company like Spyderco that puts out large numbers of any given model might be able to make a good deal with the company that sells it.

 

[Quiet Storm]

While I'm at it, I might as well suggest a design I would like to see in this steel.

 

[dannyvi]

That is a nice design. That would look good in the H1 blade.

 

[T.K.C.]

I like that design a whole lot!!!

 

[zer0sig]

i'm thinking that the above design with a bit of a dodoesque recurve would be right nice..

 

[Piet.S]

While I'm at it, I might as well suggest a design I would like to see in this steel.

It's not all that hard, buy some good steel and some good files. You don't have to do the heat treat your self. It's not magic, it's work.

 

[Halfneck]

Interesting FB design, what are the dimensions?

I am thinking that whatever FB Spyderco makes with H-1 should be a compact, multi-task design for applications like Whitewater Rafting, Kayakers, etc.

 

[Quiet Storm]

Thanks a lot for your comments! The scale is 1:1. This thread was primarily supposed to be about 2453 though.
I just made a quick sketch of what I would consider a good application for this steel: a medium-sized utility fixed blade.

 

[Quiet Storm]

BTTT. I know that this is old, and maybe Sal didn't reply because he thinks my idea sucks...but then again, maybe he just missed it. I still think Spyderco should consider making a knife from 2453 (even though my knife budget for the upcoming months is already taken care of ).

 

[CuriousOne]

Don't take a non-response as he didn't read/like your thread. You should check out the "SteelMule" thread that Sal started. He's wanting to try lots of different steels. Here is a link: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445613

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Quiet Storm,

I travel quite a bit and weeks will go by when I don't get a chance to check forums. I've not seen this thread before. So please don't take a no response personal.

Regarding the design, 1-1 on my screen makes the blade 4" long and almost 2" wide?

sal

 

[faramir]

QS & Sal: that steel sounds like one of the lower tungsten content M-series (AISI designation) HSS steels with majority of cromium and vanadium removed ?

If you were going the high-tungsten percentage route you might want to consider something along the lines of T15 for example; it sounds like an uber-steel. Other T-series steels have even higher tungsten content.

 

[Quiet Storm]

Thanks for your replies!

So please don't take a no response personal.

Oh, not at all!

Regarding the design, 1-1 on my screen makes the blade 4" long and almost 2" wide?

Exactly.

QS & Sal: that steel sounds like one of the lower tungsten content M-series (AISI designation) HSS steels with majority of cromium and vanadium removed ?

I'm the wrong person to discuss this with.

I came up with 2453 by looking for a simple alloy with a high tungsten content, because to me as a layman, it seems that this would make for a blade that takes a fine edge, yet has lots of very hard carbides.

 

[TIR]

I like the design but 2" wide seems a little too wide for me on a knife this size. Just my .02