Steel for saltwater knife?

[Jos]

Spyderco has the H1 steel, which everybody agrees is rustPROOF.

How do the steels Benchmade uses in the H2O series compare? N680 and X.15?

Anybody done any tests?

As I'm working in a "marine" environment, I'm very interested in this subject.

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[Ankerson]

I seriously doubt you will have a problem with N680.

 

[Chris Pierce]

I've worked on Commercial Fishing Boats for years and had no rust problems with my knives. H1 is completely stainless but soft. I don't know about the N680. I have carried s30v s60v, 154cm, AUS8 VG-10 8cr13mov etc. Never had a problem. I even used to keep a Schrade Sharp Finger (carbon steel) in it's leather sheath in my job box for a few years, it never had rust on the blade. The only knife I ever had any rust on was a Glock Field Knife that I left out in the rain one time. The steel on it is something similar to 1055.
I live in the Pacific North West about 1/2 mile from the Sound and never have problems with rust.
YMMV

 

[michaelm466]

I'd definitely go for a SE H1 blade, it should be up there with VG-10 for edge retention, PE H1 would be a few notches below it. Though it is VERY easy to sharpen.