Small or medium fixed blade with good edge retention under $100.

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gomipile

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Apr 17, 2010
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Lately I've been looking at the various small fixed blades available in SR-101 steel from SYKCO and Swamp Rat. I especially like the looks of the Scrapivore and SYKCO 311.

What I'm wondering is, are there any other small to medium fixed blades (say anywhere in size between the Izula and the Condor Rodan, inclusive) which come in a high-alloy steel with a good enough heat treat to have significantly better edge retention than SR-101? I don't care whether it's stainless or a non-stainless tool steel for this knife, I'm just looking for edge retention. I would like to avoid "brittle" steels which are somewhat prone to chipping. Hard-to-sharpen steels with heavy carbides are fine, since I'll be getting some 4" SiC sharpening rods for field sharpening soon.

For the purposes of this thread, the price point is under $100 including shipping.
 
You won't find what you are looking for in that price range, the high alloy steels are both expensive and difficult to work with so that is reflected in the cost.

Like of like wanting a new Lexus for $10K, not going to happen.
 
if you can go 7 dollars over 100 the bravo necker 2 by bark river is - 7'' overall, convex grind, in cpm 3v.........
 
Ankerson said:
You won't find what you are looking for in that price range, the high alloy steels are both expensive and difficult to work with so that is reflected in the cost.

Like of like wanting a new Lexus for $10K, not going to happen.
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So the Scrapyard knives are the only knives in this category which you know of? I'll probably be perfectly satisfied with a Scrapivore or 311, I just wanted to know if there were something just a bit more ideal.
 
Spyderco might still have elmax mule teams, so your best bet is that with a kydex sheath made for it.
 
It's not clear what you want to use this new knife for, but if your simply looking for a blade that will hold a very sharp edge that will cut, cut, cut and then cut some more, nothing does that like a high carbon steel blade. They are easy to sharpen and hold an edge very well. For $20 or less you should think of trying a Mora 711 with 4" blade or a Mora Clipper 840 or 860. Don't let the price fool you, Mora's are very well made knives.
 
JohnnyFlake said:
It's not clear what you want to use this new knife for, but if your simply looking for a blade that will hold a very sharp edge that will cut, cut, cut and then cut some more, nothing does that like a high carbon steel blade. They are easy to sharpen and hold an edge very well. For $20 or less you should think of trying a Mora 711 with 4" blade or a Mora Clipper 840 or 860. Don't let the price fool you, Mora's are very well made knives.
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Well, from my experience, which is borne out by Ankerson's testing, that turns out not to be the case. For semi-abrasive materials like manila rope, paper, cardboard, etc, basic carbon steel loses its slicing edge quite fast.
 
gomipile said:
Well, from my experience, which is borne out by Ankerson's testing, that turns out not to be the case. For semi-abrasive materials like manila rope, paper, cardboard, etc, basic carbon steel loses its slicing edge quite fast.
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I will agree with you, in part, being that the most common carbon steel used in knives is 440, and the 440 does not stand up to uses, such as you mentioned, very well. However, truly high carbon steel such as 1095, which is a bit harder to sharpen, will hold an edge very well cutting those same materials. I think you will be pleasantly surprised, should you decide to plunk down a $20 bill and try one of the Mora's I mentioned. Personally, the 711 is my favorite. It is a work horse!
 
The Blackjack necker is not too bad either. 154 cm with a convex grind and a kydex sheath and under $100.
 
JohnnyFlake said:
I will agree with you, in part, being that the most common carbon steel used in knives is 440, and the 440 does not stand up to uses, such as you mentioned, very well. However, truly high carbon steel such as 1095, which is a bit harder to sharpen, will hold an edge very well cutting those same materials. I think you will be pleasantly surprised, should you decide to plunk down a $20 bill and try one of the Mora's I mentioned. Personally, the 711 is my favorite. It is a work horse!
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Why don't you ask Ankerson why it isn't listed on his steel edge retention rankings. He humbled me on this point a few weeks ago.

Thanks viper89, I'll take a look that that Blackjack. Would you happen to know what hardness they HT it to?
 
gomipile said:
Why don't you ask Ankerson why it isn't listed on his steel edge retention rankings. He humbled me on this point a few weeks ago.

Thanks viper89, I'll take a look that that Blackjack. Would you happen to know what hardness they HT it to?
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No, clue. I checked the site where I bought it and it does not say :(
 
It's a bit over your price range, however, the Swamp Rat Rodent Solution fits your criteria nicely.
 
gomipile said:
So the Scrapyard knives are the only knives in this category which you know of? I'll probably be perfectly satisfied with a Scrapivore or 311, I just wanted to know if there were something just a bit more ideal.
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SR 101 (52100) is a nice steel, better than 1095 edge retention wise and tougher and it's not that expensive.
 
JohnnyFlake said:
I will agree with you, in part, being that the most common carbon steel used in knives is 440, and the 440 does not stand up to uses, such as you mentioned, very well. However, truly high carbon steel such as 1095, which is a bit harder to sharpen, will hold an edge very well cutting those same materials. I think you will be pleasantly surprised, should you decide to plunk down a $20 bill and try one of the Mora's I mentioned. Personally, the 711 is my favorite. It is a work horse!
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Eh, I wouldn't exactly put something like 1095 or O1 in the category of superior edge retention. Breaking down cardboard either will lose its edge pretty quick compared to a high end stainless or tool steel, and while they do sharpen easily I think the OP is looking for something that's a bit higher performance.
 
AG Russell Deer Hunter
AG Russell Bird & Trout
Buck Kaala
Buck Alpha Hunter
Bone Collector 15000
Spyderco Moran
Queen Premium Hunter

D2, 154CM/ATS-34, S30V, VG-10. Probably a lot more, but a quick search got me these. Tons more if you would be ok with 440C though it isn't the most wear resistant.
 
How about a Kanetsune Take? It's a bit of a different aesthetic than most people are used to, but it uses Hitachi Blue Steel that has pretty darn good edge retention:

KB211.jpg


You can find 'em for $85-$100 online
 
hardheart said:
AG Russell Deer Hunter
AG Russell Bird & Trout
Buck Kaala
Buck Alpha Hunter
Bone Collector 15000
Spyderco Moran
Queen Premium Hunter

D2, 154CM/ATS-34, S30V, VG-10. Probably a lot more, but a quick search got me these. Tons more if you would be ok with 440C though it isn't the most wear resistant.
Click to expand...

The AG Russell Deer Hunter in D2 looks good, I'll have to look up more information on that too.
 
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