Stainless Steel Survival Knife

R

robi12

Joined
May 12, 2015
Messages
4
Hello everybody,

I have been searching and searching to buy a survival knife for my needs. At first I wanted buy the blackbird sk-5 because its simplicity, size and quality. The only problem was that I found out that 154cm steel was not good agains rust, even if kept oiled. I need a knife which I can get wet and bring near the sea. I tried to inform myself via Youtube and around the internet but did not find clear information about a stainless steel (or corrosion resistant knifes).
I don't know much about steel types and what makes a good knife for these types of needs. The only things I know is that wanted a full tank construction, non-serrated edge, non coated, ultimately something durable.
My budget is around 100$, but i don't really have a budget so if its worth it i may spend more
I hope someone can help me out
Thank you

Roberto
 
Any of the Fallkniven knives would work, my favorite is the F1. If I was going to be in and around salt water I would consider a Spyderco in H1.
 
It's not that common to find "survival" knives in a highly stainless steel because high carbon steels are so much more durable and therefor better suited to the "survival" knife application. The fact the high carbon steels will roll and bend before they chip and break gives you the ability to "do what you gotta do" in a survival situation. I personally would prefer a slightly rusted 1095 steel blade over any corrosion-proof blade if my life depended on the knife.

As you get into steels that are both durable AND corrosion resistant the price goes up as well. S30V, S35VN and others are being used in some fixed blades and may be a good compromise for you if the budget allows. Check out some of those options from Bark River Knives.
One "rustproof" option within the price range you are talking about would be the Spyderco Aqua Salt in H1 steel. I think you can find it on knifecenter.com for about $114.00.
 
Shotgun said:
I've never used 154cm. Does it have rust issues? Seems like it shouldn't.
Click to expand...

I've never had rust issues with it, even when I sweated all over it.
Don't even bother with oil for the most part.

Perhaps if it's bead-blasted...that seems to help make any steel rust.
 
Boker Plus Hunter Killer/Manaro/or TUF
Spiderco Serrata Stuart Ackerman
ESEE 4P
EnTrek Javalina

All in 440c
 
strategy9 said:
Boker Plus Hunter Killer/Manaro/or TUF
Spiderco Serrata Stuart Ackerman
ESEE 4P
EnTrek Javalina

All in 440c
Click to expand...

154CM Stainless Blade Steel
This is a 440C "mod" that is the equivalent of ATS34 - but cleaner. Compared to 440C, it is more stain resistant, tougher and has better attainable hardness and edge retention. This steel is the knife maker's "stock in trade".

If he doesn't feel safe with 154CM, 440C is probably out as well.
 
Isn't 154cm a stainless steel?

Yep, I just double checked, and it is. So I'd be very surprised if it had rust issues with any basic maintenance.

That said, most "survival" knives are made out of carbon steel, because typically, it is the better material choice for "sturdy"/"Rugged" knives. I live near the ocean, and use carbon steel knives without any problems (just make sure you put them away dry), and the patinas can really help. If you're wanting something in that size, and stainless, I'd look at the Fallknivens (vg10), Stainless Moras (sandvic stainless), Kabar "GameStalker" (440a), and the Cutco/Kabar "Outdoorsman" (440a). The pricing for those range from $12 - $140 or so.

Good luck with whatever you do :).
 
440C is pretty stain resistant already IMHO. No reason to worry about 154cm, its a good steel.
 
I was under the impression that despite early claims, 154cm (and ats34) actually were found to be "slightly" less rust resistant compared to 440c, a trade off for their improvements in both toughness and wear resistance?
 
440C is more stain resistant than almost all of them, and has been demonstrated to have better edge-holding than ATS-34, 154CM, and D2 on most materials, so I really don't know what is difficult about this... More chrome -up to 18% presumably- means more rust resistance AND more edge-holding, but that seems to have a real hard time sinking in... It is the one plain and obvious answer to what the OP has asked...

Gaston
 
Gaston444 said:
440C is more stain resistant than almost all of them, and has been demonstrated to have better edge-holding than ATS-34, 154CM, and D2 on most materials,
Click to expand...

On wear resistance, this tester sure doesn't agree with you:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...based-on-Edge-Retention-cutting-5-8-quot-rope

So the question becomes, demonstrated by who?

As for rust resistance, I've had no rust issues with either, so the quibbling about exact rust resistance becomes moot when both are pretty damn stainless.
 
Gaston444 said:
440C is more stain resistant than almost all of them, and has been demonstrated to have better edge-holding than ATS-34, 154CM, and D2 on most materials, so I really don't know what is difficult about this... More chrome -up to 18% presumably- means more rust resistance AND more edge-holding, but that seems to have a real hard time sinking in... It is the one plain and obvious answer to what the OP has asked...

Gaston
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, what? Demonstrated by whom? Where? D2? No, sorry, not even close.
 
Thanks to everyone for the answers. Im starting to understand. =)
I have searched all the knives you have suggested and the Fallkinven F1 seems to be the one that would fit me the best.
I don't understand steels types of steels, and the Fallkinven F1 has a Laminated VG10 blade. Is this corrosion resistant/stainless steel?

Thanks again
 
robi12 said:
Thanks to everyone for the answers. Im starting to understand. =)
I have searched all the knives you have suggested and the Fallkinven F1 seems to be the one that would fit me the best.
I don't understand steels types of steels, and the Fallkinven F1 has a Laminated VG10 blade. Is this corrosion resistant/stainless steel?

Thanks again
Click to expand...

Yep :).

Its a steel commonly used in kitchen knives, and is quite corrosion resistant.

VG10 is not known for its toughness though. Think of it as potentially more brittle, or prone to chipping the edge. There was a thread around here a few months ago where someone chopped some bone with his fallkniven (he was skinning/quartering a deer/elk IIRC), and the edge chipped significantly. However, if you treat it well, it should work just fine (there are plenty of fallkniven users around here that use theirs with no problems).

Good luck with the new knife :).
 
ahh ok thats good
I saw on their catalogue that their are two models of the F1 that have been maid the normal F1 and the F1/3G does anyone know the difference between the two?
thank you
 
robi12 said:
ahh ok thats good
I saw on their catalogue that their are two models of the F1 that have been maid the normal F1 and the F1/3G does anyone know the difference between the two?
thank you
Click to expand...

I don't have any experience with Fallkniven, or with their VG10/3G. I did though just do some quick research, and it looks like their 3G is a laminated steel, that is run harder (62rc instead of ~59rc). This means it should hold an edge for longer, but also usually means it takes longer to sharpen, and "may" sacrifice toughness (I put that in quotes because some steels are very tough at that hardness, and I don't have any experience with 3G). Perhaps someone more familiar with Fallkniven knives can help you more here :/.

But for a first knife, I'd go with the VG10. It will be easier to learn to sharpen on, and should perform well. Then, in the future, if you decide you want something different, you can use your experience from the relatively common VG10 steel to help you choose what you're looking for in the next knife.

Good luck :).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top