San Mai VG-10 v. INFI

T

TheFighter88

Joined
Aug 13, 2006
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142
So, I just bought my dream knife - Fallkniven's NL2, "Odin" (thanks giant1).

For a long time I've thought that Fallkniven's laminated VG-10 is one of the best all-around steels. After reading about their Northern Lights Series' 420J2 clad VG-10, it seemed to be a step even better, and I figured it had to be the best there is.

Well, now I'm thinking... people swear by their Busse's INFI steel, though I'm not sure anyone still knows quite exactly what it is. I'll admit I am biased toward Fallkniven because it's what I own and love. Furthermore, I'm sure many of you own and love a good Busse, but has anyone done any objective comparisons between Fallkniven's San Mai VG-10 and Busse's INFI?

NOTE: Please, I am not interested in a comparison of Fallkniven's general laminated VG-10; only write comments related to the comparison of their San Mai VG-10 and Busse's INFI.
 
laminated VG10 is laminated VG10. San Mai is just another way of saying laminated.

Stainless will not outperform INFI overall, although some types have better edge holding. From my experience, VG10 is not one of them.
 
So was I wrong in assuming that the original laminated VG-10 meant layers of VG-10? I figured if they didn't specify 420 clad until the NL series, it wasn't 420 clad.

Someone clear this up? I'm starting to feel like a real newb on this one... :foot:

Edit/Addition: I re-checked their website, and they list some models as only VG-10, others as Laminated VG-10, and others as Laminated VG-10 + 420J2. Did I assume too much, or am I correct?
 
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TheFighter88 said:
...but has anyone done any objective comparisons between Fallkniven's San Mai VG-10 and Busse's INFI?
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I don't think its possible for any of us knuts to do an objective comparison. We all have our favorite steels and are loyal to certain brands. Every attempt at objective steel comparisons that I have seen turns into an arguement about blade geometry, operator techniques, and the ambiguity of the tests.

I have blades of just about every type of steel, including VG-10 and INFI. I love and use them all. Hell, I even have a 440A Buck that I carry on occasion.

(I know there are a lot of spelling errors here, but my speller is broken today.)
 
Clad VG10 while good is not in the same class as INFI in terms of toughness. Now, edge holding, ease of sharpening or resistance to corrosion...I cant say.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
laminated VG10 is laminated VG10. San Mai is just another way of saying laminated.

Stainless will not outperform INFI overall, although some types have better edge holding. From my experience, VG10 is not one of them.
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Yup, "san mai" literaly translates as "3 layers/parts/pieces"

I have FK and Busse knives and INFI is better IMO but the differnce is not huge.
 
Laminated steel is pretty standard for Japanese knives (I think it is Hattory who making knives for Fallkniven).

As I understand Fallkniven A1 showed pretty good toughness on Noss4 tests. INFI may be doing better but it is already beyond real needs, So in terms of practical use or let say practical abuse it will stay as good as INFI, but if you are going to intentionally destroy it - INFI will stay longer (top toughness on Noss4 tests).

With this toughness, INFI is not stainless and does not hold edge as other top steels, however I did not test yet VG-10, but think it will performs better.

Also normal 30 degree angle is not recommended by Busse for INFI - considered as paper thin edge, should be over 40 degree (like for axe), otherwise it is too easy to bend.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
TheFighter88 said:
Well, now I'm thinking... people swear by their Busse's INFI steel, though I'm not sure anyone still knows quite exactly what it is.
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555904

TheFighter88 said:
I'll admit I am biased toward Fallkniven because it's what I own and love. Furthermore, I'm sure many of you own and love a good Busse, but has anyone done any objective comparisons between Fallkniven's San Mai VG-10 and Busse's INFI?
Click to expand...


http://www.knifetests.com/FallknivenA1.html

http://www.knifetests.com/busseskinnyash1dtest.html

http://www.knifetests.com/BussefFFBMtestpage.html
 
I would trust my life with fallkniven, and if i wanted to pay $200 more, and go through a ritual, i would trust my life with a busse also.
 
nozh2002 said:
.

Also normal 30 degree angle is not recommended by Busse for INFI - considered as paper thin edge, should be over 40 degree (like for axe), otherwise it is too easy to bend.

Thanks, Vassili.
Click to expand...

i don't know why you keep saying this.

didn't we already establish, by your own admission, that your gw edge was much more acute? like 20 degrees or less?

and who says 30 is normal? and since when does 40 degrees make a knife an axe?
 
morimotom said:
i don't know why you keep saying this.

Didn't we already establish, by your own admission, that your gw edge was much more acute? Like 20 degrees or less?

And who says 30 is normal? And since when does 40 degrees make a knife an axe?
Click to expand...

for this I must to put you on ignore!
 
MORIMOTOM said:
i don't know why you keep saying this.

didn't we already establish, by your own admission, that your gw edge was much more acute? like 20 degrees or less?

and who says 30 is normal? and since when does 40 degrees make a knife an axe?
Click to expand...

No, no, no... Don't you remember? He showed some pictures of an entirely different knife and this somehow proved that the knife in question had a 32 degree edge bevel.
 
markksr said:
No, no, no... Don't you remember? He showed some pictures of an entirely different knife and this somehow proved that the knife in question had a 32 degree edge bevel.
Click to expand...


Guess who's ignore list you're about to end up on. :)
 
gajinoz said:
Guess who's ignore list you're about to end up on. :)
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He put me on ignore nearly a year ago.

I continue to reply to his BS only so that his agenda-driven lies don't go unchallenged into the Bladeforum archives.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
for this I must to put you on ignore!
Click to expand...

Rat Finkenstein said:
for this I must to put you on ignore!
Click to expand...

2835631070_c7fa373e6d.jpg
 
Let's try to keep this thread on target. If you don't have anything to say about the topic then please stay out of it.

Eric
 
Thanks.

So, it seems that, practically speaking, both Lam. VG-10 and INFI perform at levels of toughness beyond the necessary rigors of outdoor work, yet INFI is a step still further (in toughness) toward the "abusive" realm of use. Right?
 
If this stuff continues, for this infractions will be handed out.

If you are not willing to post with respect, it would be better not to post.
 
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