Steel Suggestions

[LongRifle]

I am considering purchasing a knife from Bailey Bradshaw, a slip joint. I pretty much have my mind made up about everything but the blade steel. My choice is either cpm3v or 52100. I want the steel that will take the sharpest edge. I won't be subjecting the knife to serious work, so durability isn't too much of an issue (I don't mind beating up my sebenza ). Oh, the blade will be a flat grind. Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
Matthew

The photo is from his website.

 

[Bronco]

Matthew,
I think you're really going to enjoy your slipjoint from Bailey. He does some really fine work.

Whenever the discussion turns to the subject of which steel takes the sharpest edge, the more traditional high carbon steels, like 52100, always seem to be mentioned prominently and favorably. That being said, one of the major advantages of the particle metalurgy processes used by CPM is that the resultant steels possess an extremely refined grain structure. Thus I think the proper answer would be that either of these steels will take a wicked edge (at least this has been my experience). However, the absence of vanadium carbides in 52100 undoubtedly means that this steel will require less effort to get the edge to this level of sharpness.

 

[Bastid]

I agree 100% with Bill. Both should take a great edge with the 3v holding it a little longer and bringing the 52100 back will be a little easier. You will need to give the 52100 a little more care to inhibit corrosion.

Enjoy the new knife. Bailey does great work and he is a pleasure to get to know.

A shot from Blade 2001 with Bob Grove's dagger.
Bob is missed by many, but he will be a part of many memories.

More blade Show pics

 

[ExamonLyf]

Very informative thread!! Thanks to all of you....

"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"

 

[Paracelsus]

Based on your criteria (sharpest edge) I would pick 52100 over just about any other steel in existance.

When heat-treated by someone who knows what he is doing, 52100 is very fine grained, takes a fantastic edge, is fairly tough, and will hold its edge for a good long time during hard use.

It can be tempered 'all hard' (best for small folders), or differentially tempered for larger knives. 52100 will also be much easier to resharpen compared to 3V.

But you should talk to Bailey about your choice. He can explain why he chooses particular steels for a particular knife and how he performs the heat-treatments.

In either case you will have a exceptionally well made and useful tool. Enjoy!

Para

 

[Danbo]

I imagine that if you talk to Bailey, he will tell you he prefers CPM3V. Its good enough that he switched from 52100 to it.

 

[SammyB]

I have a couple of Bailey's pieces in 3V. The combination of the thin flat grind and almost no bevel makes a knife that slices like the dickens and needs minimal sharpening. They make a great EDC for me. Either way you will like what you get.

-Sam.

 

[LongRifle]

Thanks for the help everyone! I have been trying to phone Bailey for the past day or two to get my order in, but he must be busy at the grinder . Through the few emails I sent he suggested the cpm3v also, I am going to stick with that (also the ivory ) . Thanks again for all the help!
Matthew