Spring steel compared to non spring steel for knives?

D

delton

Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
11
I recently acquired a Glock Field Knife. I read it is made of "spring steel". I also read the hardness rating is lower than some. I guess both of these attributes make it less likely to break and more likely to bend. Is that correct?

Are there types of steel that are available as spring steel and non spring steel? Ex: 1095 regular steel and 1095 spring steel?
 
"Spring Steel" is a generic moniker that covers quite a few specific steel types that are often found in leaf springs and the like...

Similar to "surgical steel" or even "carbon or stainless steel", it narrows it down some to certain steels, but still doesn't give you an exact steel type.

However yes, the lower HRC (hardness rating) makes for a knife that will have more flex instead of snapping, the trade off is that the edge will also be softer so it won't hold an edge quite as well, but it will often roll rather then chip, and can typically be sharpened and honed back up sharp with relative ease...
 
delton said:
I recently acquired a Glock Field Knife. I read it is made of "spring steel". I also read the hardness rating is lower than some. I guess both of these attributes make it less likely to break and more likely to bend. Is that correct?

Are there types of steel that are available as spring steel and non spring steel? Ex: 1095 regular steel and 1095 spring steel?
Click to expand...

For something like a fixed blade knife that you're going to abuse (e.g. dig/pry/chop/treat like a piece of GI gear) a steel that is tougher makes more sense than a steel that can reach a higher level of hardness.
 
evilgreg said:
Directions unclear; if it bounces but only once and then sticks in your foot like a lawn dart is it still spring steel? Asking for a friend.
Click to expand...
Only if it sticks in between the 1st and 2nd metatarsals, or the 3rd and 4th.
 
Spring steel is a high carbon steel use to make knives, 1060 or similar, its also a good steel for swords, so yeah it should bend without structural failure, its a good steel, but that Glock knife in my personal experience doesnt hold an edge, (LHT)
 
If company doesn't say exact name of the steel they use - that's generally a bad news.

It's not that hard to make a knife which will resist breaking.
But it's hard to make a knife that will resist breaking and also keep an edge.

Dull knife is better than broken knife, but point of having a knife is it's edge and abillity to cut.

There are better options with more reviews from actual knife companies, which will also tell you which steel you're buying.
 
As of a few years ago, the Glock knives were 1095 at a 54 - 56 rockwell hardness. The general reviews I've always read is that they're ok to good knives after you reprofile the edge some.
 
evilgreg said:
For something like a fixed blade knife that you're going to abuse (e.g. dig/pry/chop/treat like a piece of GI gear) a steel that is tougher makes more sense than a steel that can reach a higher level of hardness.
Click to expand...
I completely agree with this statement. The GFK is also designed to be used as a bayonet for the Steyr AUG, so it needs to absorb the force of a whole rifle ramming it into a dummy or enemy. Apparently some people even throw them, which you'll likely have bored soldiers doing.
 
Glock field knife is what it is - field knife.

Light since soldiers carry loads of equipment anyways.
Sharp enough to open MRE's, durable enough to even open cans if you need.
It can be mounted as a bayonet and durable enough to withstand it.

So, in a nutshell - it's good enough to open your meal, you can mount it on your rifle and stab someone, which are tasks a modern soldier needs a knife for.

Not all soldiers will carry Glock field knife either, lots of soldiers are issued knives like Cold Steel SRK, or Ka-Bar USMC/USN or some daggers/boot knives from either Cold Steel or any other company.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top