Small Knives Made of 5160?

Status
Not open for further replies.
This has been a good thread.

5160 is a different steel depending on how it is heat treated and where it comes from.

With the proper temperature, a hold time of 5-10 minutes, the proper quench, and sufficient tempering - it will make an excellent blade.....large or small.

With a fair HT, it will still make a fair blade....best kept large.

Some sources, like John Deere load shafts, are high grade 5160.
Some sources, like old car springs, may not even be 5160.


Small blades are best made from better steels, but 5160 will certainly make a serviceable small blade.

Layered mono-steel will make a toothier edge, but will not help grain or sharpness. It will make a subtle pattern.

There is a big difference between folding and layering.
A nine layer billet will have no improvement, beyond a coarse and toothy edge. There will be little or no improvement of the steel. Some of the cheapest damascus knifes made in Pakistan and India are made like this.
Nine folds of a single bar will have 1024 layers and a very fine cutting edge, and the billet should be well refined as to impurities. Some of the best blades made in Japan are made like this.
The only real reason to fold a mono-steel billet is to refine the steel....not the grain. If there are impurities, or uneven carbon distribution, then folding will help. Merely layering it one time will do nothing to help .
 
I forgot about the load control shafts..I had in mind to ask them the last time I was at the dealership about used shafts..Supposedly its about the best 5160 you can get because of John Deeres strict requirements...I know Ive had several makers tell me its far above any flat bar they have ever bought..
 
rocketmann said:
I watched the video and I found it odd that he would choose to use his digitally controlled heat treat oven for tempering instead of hardening.
Click to expand...

yea me too, that guy is way more advanced than me, but i was sitting there thinking what about soak time? and knowing what the temp is? to each they're own. but i agree with you rocketmanm!

jake
 
You are correct, Phil.

I have to use paper more often...head math is not always reliable. I was starting from 2 not 1 - my bad.
9 folds is 512....ten folds is 1024.
 
I have two 5" blade's made out of 5160, once I learned how to convex the edge, especially on my O.K.C - T.F.I., I found that it almost became my go to knife when I bushcraft,y other is a O.K.C. - Afghan, for what I use them for I find no fault with either one, I have two let's and I am a three knife man, first set is the RD 9, Afghan, and yes my BK-14, second set my RD 7, T.F.I., yuppie and my BK-14, for most camp chores, both of my five incher's do me just fine.
 
This is an old thread, so I think I'll close it.

For those wanting a CPM steel with the properties of 5160 on steroids, try CPM3V.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top