I posted in the general forum about blade styles for a skinning knife and then started to get into blade steels, so I'd figure I'd post about it here. It is my age old question about knife kits...what steel is really in them (Jantz and texas knifemakers supply have the same blades it seems, but Jantz says 440-c, Texas says A-6, which is it?) Also, what is the high vanadium steel? Would the dendritic steel make a good skinner? I like the looks of that drop point hunter, but it expensive for the blade. How bout those Carbon steel blades from germany with the funny names in Jantz? They look easy to make, but how is their blade steel quality? Also, I think it was Chiro who suggested getting a custom bladesmith to make up a kit with something they already have. I am thinking a 4" to 5" drop point blade with full flat tang (not rat tail or hidden) out of 440-C, ATS-34 or some other steel that will hold an edge and be fairly rust resistant. I would get the roundstock for pins and the handles from Jantz, but I would need the blade shaped, ground, heat treated, sharpened, pre drilled for pins, etc. I just want to have to put on the handles and finish them, like if i got the blade from one of the kits. I am getting 600 grit sandpaper, so I might be able to polish the blade a little, but I don't know. Any sugestions on who might do this and the approx cost? Any other tips? they suggested micarta for the handle, how bout Dymondwood? i like some of the color mixes from Jantz. Please let me know your thoughts!
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Steel for skinning knife
- Thread starter Taz
- Start date
Ats-34 would be 1st choice then 440c I don't think the aus-6 will hold an edge that well. I have a aus_8 spyderco and it does not hold an edge as well as the other steels i mentioned.
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Teach them everything they need to know, let them prove it themselves!
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Teach them everything they need to know, let them prove it themselves!
- Joined
- Jun 12, 1999
- Messages
- 1,110
try d-2 or bg-42.
- Joined
- Mar 18, 1999
- Messages
- 2,112
This is what I have seen with regards to the kit blades offered by most of the knife supply houses. They must do an awful lot of business in this area since they usually take up any where from 1/3 to 1/2 of their catalogs.
Most of the kit blades available in these are 6A which is very similar if not the same steel as AUS-6. This is basically the same as 440A with a very, very small amount of vanadium. You will also see 440C offered and is a considerably better steel. I noticed in K&G's catalog (downloadable from their website) that there are some kit blades made out of ATS34. This is a slight cut above 440C.
I have seen in Texas Knifemaker's Supply's catalog (also downloadable) that Boye Dendritic steel is offered as kit blades. Most are D2 with only one being 440C. I believe these blades in D2 would be superior to most any of the other kit blades offered. TKS also offers another "high vanadium" kit blade but I don't know what steel this may be. It looks similar to many of the blades that a spanish company, Muela, make. It you look closely at many of the kit blades offered, they are either knock offs or are made by Bear MGC.
When a kit blade or manufacturer states their blades are made out of 440 stainless steel, it is usually just 440A. Rarely, if ever would it be 440C. If it is 440C, then it will be advertised as such.
As far as the "Solingen" carbon steel blades
go, I have no idea what kind of steel they are. They might as well be "Toledo Steel" or "Pittsburgh Steel" as far as that goes.
You would have to call and ask.
I built kit blades until I figured out that it was more than just a passing fancy. I have been doing stock removal for the past five years or so. It was a very good introduction to knifemaking.
By the way, I have to warn you, it is addicting. In my case, forging is next....
C Wilkins
Most of the kit blades available in these are 6A which is very similar if not the same steel as AUS-6. This is basically the same as 440A with a very, very small amount of vanadium. You will also see 440C offered and is a considerably better steel. I noticed in K&G's catalog (downloadable from their website) that there are some kit blades made out of ATS34. This is a slight cut above 440C.
I have seen in Texas Knifemaker's Supply's catalog (also downloadable) that Boye Dendritic steel is offered as kit blades. Most are D2 with only one being 440C. I believe these blades in D2 would be superior to most any of the other kit blades offered. TKS also offers another "high vanadium" kit blade but I don't know what steel this may be. It looks similar to many of the blades that a spanish company, Muela, make. It you look closely at many of the kit blades offered, they are either knock offs or are made by Bear MGC.
When a kit blade or manufacturer states their blades are made out of 440 stainless steel, it is usually just 440A. Rarely, if ever would it be 440C. If it is 440C, then it will be advertised as such.
As far as the "Solingen" carbon steel blades
go, I have no idea what kind of steel they are. They might as well be "Toledo Steel" or "Pittsburgh Steel" as far as that goes.
You would have to call and ask.
I built kit blades until I figured out that it was more than just a passing fancy. I have been doing stock removal for the past five years or so. It was a very good introduction to knifemaking.
By the way, I have to warn you, it is addicting. In my case, forging is next....
C Wilkins