steels

V

Vrolok

Joined
Sep 10, 1999
Messages
9
which way should I go for an all purpose steel? stainless, tool, or talonite???

Anyone have a cuda? What do you think of it?
where's a good place to get one?
 
Hello,

you should try all of them and see what is good for you.

Because steel in not the only point, grind and design and heat treating are really important factor.

IMHO your own experience can not replace any other point of view on that subject.

Cheers,

JM
 
Good question, take it from me I have tried many steel types and grinds and I would say that for an all purpose steel use carbon steel like 1095 or the like. Carbon sharpens easier and can will throw a spark when used with flint in a emergency. Also only get a flat ground blade. This grind is the strongest and easiest to maintain. Thats my opinion!
 
Rust is not a big issue for me, so I prefer tool steels (A-2, M-2, D-2, O-1, etc.) for their extra edge holding and slight resistance to corrosion. Talonite (stellite, cobalt) are very cool, but I like to put a really slick razor edge on at least part of my edges, and tool steels sharpen nicer. I also tend to view my knives as last ditch defensive tools also, so a modicum of toughness is a requirement of mine.

I tell you what though, if toughness and obsessively sharp edges were not important, but only low maintenance, high-quality cutting, I would go Talonite all the way. I have a couple of Cobalt folders (Boye Dendritic cast Stellite), and it is really nice to be able to just swish them in the ocean, wipe them on your pants and put them back in your pocket.

Harv
 
Vrolok, the only way to get a really meaningful answer is to have a baseline to work from. For example, go out and buy a Sharpfinger in 1095. They are cheap and perform nicely :

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/2292/schraderev.htm

Once you have a good idea how this blade performs you can give a much more detailed description of what you want as you can describe it in terms of the performance of the Sharpfinger.

As Nemo said, nothing replaces experience.

-Cliff
 
I've tried them all, except for Talonite (and that will change before long), and IMHO nothing beats forged tool steel!! Why? Because it holds a better edge longer and is easier to sharpen. Just my opinion!
 
Also only get a flat ground blade. This grind is the strongest and easiest to maintain. Thats my opinion!
Click to expand...

I agree. That is why I flat grind almost every model I make. But then again, this is my opinion. (based on ability to cut nails with out damage)

------------------
Lynn Griffith-Tactical Knifemaker
Winner of "Best Tactical Knife" at 1999 PKA show
My website
See my award winning "Spec Ops Tanto" in Gallery 3 of my website
GriffithKN@aol.com
Discounts to Police and Active Duty Military


 
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