stainless question

[billythekid2099]

Hey guys its been awhile but I had a question would it be better to have a stainless steel knife for longterm survival or bug out bag you will need a sharpening device for a longterm situation no matter what the knife is made of so I started thinking maybe I should switch out so stuff from my Bob as it also maybe tough to get anything to treat a carbon steel blade I know it wont rust imedently but over time and depending on conditions would determine the time it would take to perhapes weaken a portion of the knife

So that leads me to ask this question and I know I'm going to get beat up for asking but has anyone had any experience with the schrade schf3n I have been reading the reviews and they seem pretty positive so let the pounding begin lol thanks

 

[n7titan]

I hear mixed reviews about Schrade products. The shape and size looks good though. Maybe someone can comment on steel quality.

Schrade SCHF3N Extreme Survival Fixed 6-3/8" Plain Blade
Specifications
Blade Length: 6-3/8"
Handle Length: 5-5/8"
Handle Material: Micarta
Blade Material: 7Cr17 high carbon stainless steel
Sheath: Multiple carry position ballistic sheath
Weight: 13.8 oz.
Price: $43.95 @ knifecenter.com
Made in Taiwan

It's really not that hard to care for a carbon steel; dry well after getting wet and put on some kind of oil/grease/wax if your area is particularly salty. Even chapstick would work.

Sidenote: Please punctuate and format your comments more, that was a bit of a pain to read.

 

[amg137]

I don't have any experience with Schrade knives personally, but I've heard a lot of mixed reviews. Their QC seems to be very hit-or-miss.

To be honest, corrosion is not a big deal on carbon steel knives. Yes, they will rust readily, especially if you don't keep them oiled. But use knocks the rust right off the edge, and corrosion on the rest of the blade isn't likely to significantly weaken the blade unless you're dunking it in salt water every day.

If you're still worried about corrosion from an aesthetic standpoint (this is a primary concern for me since my fixed blades rarely get use other than fondling/admiring), look into higher end steels. Something like D2 (semi-stainless), S35VN or 20CV (both stainless) will serve you very well in a fixed blade. These will cost you more but are well worth it, IMO. Do keep in mind that stainless steels tend to hold an edge longer but are more brittle. This is a larger issue in cheaper stainless steels with an unrefined grain structure (like the 7Cr and 8Cr formulations including those used by Schrade), but the ones I mentioned above are renowned for their toughness.

 

[n7titan]

Yer gorram right!