Stainless Knife Options

C

cerisdevoi

Joined
Sep 28, 2014
Messages
33
I would like to start with an apology, mainly because I'm sure this has been beaten to death in the past.

My issue is this. I have a Kabar BK7, I love my knife, it does everything i need it to. But, I should have done my steel research before buying it. I live on the coast, high humidity, and if I'm outdoors, hunting etc. I'm generally damp or wet. To shorten this, I've found that by bk7 likes to get surface rust.

To solve this issue, I'm looking for a new choice in hunting/outdoors knife. I want a stainless steel knife. I've been doing a bit of research on some of the steel options. S30, 60, 90v, sandvik (my blur has this and I love the edge retention, etc.

I'm hoping that I could get some suggestions from the community. I need something 5-6" blade length, in a stainless steel that can hold up to moose hide, bone seperating, batoning, prying (I do carry a sharpener in the bush).And preferably with a tight kydex sheath.

I have been looking at the survive knives as an option so far.
 
I do like the blade look on the benchcraft. Not big on the handle tho. But I'm sure I could get around that. Anyone else?
 
Just as a hint that has worked for me on my bk14 I edc, coat your 7 in mineral oil or vaseline, wrap it in a paper towel and wrap that bundle in a heating pad on high for a while, then let it cool all wrapped up to room temp. Wipe it down lightly and viola its damn near rust proof for me. I do this maybe every 3 months.
I've also used carnuba wax with good results but worry more about food prep than with the oils.
 
When looking at steels remember that what might work great on a small folder like your Blur, might not be such a great choice for a larger outdoors fixed blade knife.

-Fallkniven (if you like convex knives, I do). VG-10 or 3G
-Spyderco Temperance 2 (very practical design, goo sheath as well). VG-10
-Some Cold Steel knives like the SRK (AUS 8 or laminated VG-1) or Master Hunter (laminated VG-1) could suit your needs.
-Entrek USA. 440C (very well done 440C)
 
Have you tried either polishing the blade, or giving it a nice good patina? Either should help it resist rust.

I live in a coastal area (not crazy humid though), but mine have yet to develop rust on the part that is patina'd. They have gotten a touch of rust when put away wet on the edge (someone used my Mora for food and put it away without wiping it down), but the patina'd part stayed fine.

I'm not trying to say that it will be anywhere near a stainless blade, but since you already own it, its worth a shot :).

Like you said, SURVIVE! knives offer most of their blades in CPM-20cv? That seems like it would fit the bill, although they apparently have a bit of a wait time.

Also, CPM 3V is almost semi-stainless (kind of like D2, but much tougher). And I hear INFI is pretty good as well for stain resistance, although the barrier to entry with Busse blades is very high (they seem to start ~$400 for anything in that size with INFI).
 
So I've compiled a short list so far
Benchmade bushcraft 162
Esee 4 440ss (having difficulty finding for sale)
Survive! Gso 4.1 or 5.1(both also hard to find)
Spyderco temperance 2
Entrek 18 or 24 bravo

Still looking around.
 
Bradford's Guardian 4 (4" blade) and Gatsby (4.5" blade) come to mind. They're M390 and they all have kydex available for them. They aren't specifically designed as outdoors knives, but they might be worth looking at to see if they give you another option.
 
I myself am a Fallkniven junkie. So many choices not enough cash. F1,A1,S1,PHK,H1,Sk1(jarl),NL5(idun),NL 4(frej)NL3(nord),Tk 1,Tk 2. I personally have/use a Fallkniven volcano and fallkniven juni and am happy as a.pig in shit. Good luck and enjoy the search. That's half the fun
 
Benchmade 162..with convexed edge, good edge retention easy to touch up (IMO) stainless. I like the handle, the thumb grooves are very comfortable while skinning and removing back straps. Oh and stainless...
 
Benchmade 162..with convexed edge, good edge retention easy to touch up (IMO) stainless. I like the handle, the thumb grooves are very comfortable while skinning and removing back straps. Oh and stainless...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top