Spyderco H1

[dandan]

I have a Ladybug plain edge , and am happy with it. We don't hear much on this super steel lately.
Are there any members still using these blades , and what are your thoughts on them ? Lets have your stories !

 

[Frozy]

I have never used a H-1 knife before, but this is what others say:
1. Holds a great edge on serrations
2. Get scratched easily
3. The edge gets harder the more u sharpen it
4. You can store it in the bathroom =)

 

[jimnolimit]

I have a spyderco aqua salt (plain edge) en route. I should get it Monday. I plan on putting it through it's paces both on land and at sea.

 

[Planterz]

I've been using various Salts as my work/utility knife since they were introduced, currently a PE Tasman. My work (pizza place) involves a lot of opening boxes (which the hawkbill excels at) and plastic bags full of wet and greasy food. It's nice that I don't have to worry about keeping the blade free of gunk for fear of it rusting up.

In my experience, the plain edge sharpens easily but doesn't hold a razor edge for very long when cutting cardboard, but maintains a working edge alright. Serrated H-1 blades hold their edge much, much better.

 

[yuldeli]

A Salt 1 is my "summer blade". Clipped to my swimsuit while at the pool, or my shorts when cycling, running etc.

 

[IUKE12]

I have a few Spydies with H1. I don't need to repeat what others have said but I will say it's a fantastic steel to use around water. I have this Salt-1 in and around highly corrosive salt water much of the time. As a test, I purposely did not bother to rinse it after a summer of kayaking. Not a speck of rust anywhere. It's good stuff

 

[marthinus]

I have one of the older Salt 1, PE that has seen some hard work. I actually just finished reprofiling the tip because it has been sharpened so much that the tip was exposed past the handle and would catch on clothing. Put a slight swedge on it as well.

I have found that the higher polish I put on the edge with buffing wheels and leather strop the better the edge retention. Cut a tire the other day and though the edge was not shaving sharp could still slice 80gsm paper.

I love H1, but recently asked the question on Nitrobe 77 as an alternative. Sal mentioned they will get some for testing and might do a mule team. If it is good enough it would give great corrosion resistance with the ability to have a fully flat ground blade. It is a powder steel from ERASTEEL.

 

[HoosierQ]

Total rust resistance and the work hardening aspects of H1 really do make it a super steel. I have heard it said, but cannot cite, that H1 is the best steel for the performance of serrated edges.