steel for a custom knife

E

ezzekial

Joined
Aug 7, 2007
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i am planning on having a custom knife made and it will be a fixed blade most likely used for hunting and camping trips i want it durable and very tough so the steel i was thinking on using for it was s30v steel but then my friend mentioned w2 steel and said that it would be better so i am asking which steel is better and what other suggestions on blade steels might i think about
 
ezzekial said:
i am planning on having a custom knife made and it will be a fixed blade most likely used for hunting and camping trips i want it durable and very tough so the steel i was thinking on using for it was s30v steel but then my friend mentioned w2 steel and said that it would be better so i am asking which steel is better and what other suggestions on blade steels might i think about
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Kyle Royer said:
W2:thumbup::thumbup:

Or 5160:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Those are great suggestions, of course.

But they are not stainless steel as was your original choice of S30V; you'll need to take care of the knife a little differently if you go with a (non-stainless) steel such as W2 or 5160.
 
yeah i see what u r saying i have a zt0100 with cpm3v which isnt the greatest in rust resistance granted it has two coats of something to protect it i pretty much clean every knife right after i use it even if im planning on using it again very soon i like keeping things as clean as possible except for my room of course
 
W-2 is great! If you want stain resistance, I would go with 154-cpm. or Bg-42. S 30v has some chipping issues at the higher RC numbers.

Mike
 
We have been very satisfied with CPMS30V. We temper to 59 RC. What higher RC numbers are you referring to and what were you trying to cut when the chipping occurred? We have not experienced chipping in any of the steels mentioned when properly heat treated. I'm not trying to start an argument, just trying to learn from the past experiences of others.
 
I was going to suggest 154 CPM. That is what my Sean O'Hare Badger is made of. GREAT knife!
 
Personally, I would use W2.

My advice to you is, chose the maker first and let him/her chose the steel, based on your intended use.
 
Good Advice.

Issues have been all over the net, including here over the past couple of years. "30" is fine in thicker edges. .025 or over. and at lower Rc. 59 and below. But that number and below it isn't able to do what it has promised. Not my opinion, as I don't use it. But has been the opinion of Many users and makers alike. It simply hasn't lived up to its billing.
 
I can't speak for the experiences of others but can speak from my own experiences and CPMS30V has proven to be a fine knife steel. CPMS30V is currently our first choice if a customer wants stainless. We have gotten great reports on this steel from our customers and many repeat orders. We do have open minds, will use most any steel the customer wishes and love trying out the new steel on the block. We have no source for BG42 at this time but it is a good steel also, this was our go to stainless.
So much depends on the type of knife and what is expected of it. I think the best advice has been given and that is to select the knife maker and talk with him about your needs.
 
ezzekial said:
i am planning on having a custom knife made and it will be a fixed blade most likely used for hunting and camping trips i want it durable and very tough so the steel i was thinking on using for it was s30v steel but then my friend mentioned w2 steel and said that it would be better so i am asking which steel is better and what other suggestions on blade steels might i think about
Click to expand...

Personally, if possible I would go with S-5 or S-7 if you're going to be doing a lot of chopping and batoning. These are shock resistant steels; they make things like jackhammer bits out of them. They can take it.
 
Excuse me for butt'n in, but what do you makers think about L6 for Ezzekial's knife (and my 11" camp bowie). Seems L6 is losing favor, or is that my imagination.

ken
 
I've always wanted a knife made with BG42. From a chemistry perspective, there's a lot of desirable elements going on in there.
 
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