Suggestion for carbon steel edc folder

Nosetotail

Nosetotail

Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
398
My last attempt at soliciting some recommendations was apperantly lost on all the fluff I put in the thread.

I'm interested in trying out a good quality flat out high carbon steel blade in an edc folder. I don't know the first thing about carbon steel blades other than I have seen good things about 1095 and Carbon V. I have also seen some discrepencies surrounding Carbon V and understand that there aren't any knives in production with it. I would also consider a Damascus blade if I knew that the edge retention is as good as any other carbon steel high end stainless steel. Incidentally I ran across something called zdp damascus: A vg 10 outer with a damascus core for edge retention.

Anyway I am searching for a dependable folder with about a 3.5 to 4 inch stout blade similar to the blade that comes in the Endura. I would consider a damascus if it would perform as well as anything else in edge retention and I would like the price to stay under 150.00. It will go along with the Opinel that I am going to try for a little while while I'm shopping.

I understand completely the risk involved in using a carbon steel edc and am prepared to deal with it. I just want to try for my self and see how I like it compared to my ZDP blade.
 
I'm not comparing it to the knife, just the blade shape and thickness but this may be what you are saying.

And thanks for the recommendation.
 
I was under the impression that D2 wasn't considered stainless only cause it didn't make the 14 mark for cromium, but that it was actually marginally stainless at 12. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this as I am quite new to this.
 
Yeah, although D2 is not STAINLESS, it seems to keep well with minimal maintanence, especially when coated.

I can't think of any carbon steel production folders, it is easier to find customs, but they will be much more expensive.
 
I thought you want a high carbon steel folder??? D2 is a high carbon steel, mildly corrosion resistant but it rusts pretty readily.
 
D2 is practically a stainless steel. I think that if your looking for the particular attributes of a carbon steel knife (1095, 5160, A2, O1, ease of sharpening, extra toughness, patina's etc..) that D2 isn't going to be the same. 1095 is the only one I can think of, in the aforementioned Mountain Man's and some slips, or Carbon V, which is in some Camilus knives, and the old Cold Steel slip joints. UNLESS.... A Balisong is ok, the Arc Angel is Carbon V.
 
Oh yeah, Benchmade had some M2 ones, older AFCK, and the 710HS, but good luck finding one, they seem to be collectors items.
 
samhain73 said:
D2 is practically a stainless steel. I think that if your looking for the particular attributes of a carbon steel knife (1095, 5160, A2, O1, ease of sharpening, extra toughness, patina's etc..) that D2 isn't going to be the same. 1095 is the only one I can think of, in the aforementioned Mountain Man's and some slips, or Carbon V, which is in some Camilus knives, and the old Cold Steel slip joints. UNLESS.... A Balisong is ok, the Arc Angel is Carbon V.
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I also don't consider D2 to be "carbon steel" as the term is typically used.

When I hear "carbon steel", the steels of the type mentioned by samhain73 come to mind.
 
Nosetotail said:
Incidentally I ran across something called zdp damascus: A vg 10 outer with a damascus core for edge retention.
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Uhhh... I think you mean VG10 outer layers with ZDP189 in the center. That's two types of stainless. This is normally termed "laminated steel". The benefit is that the center steel can be much harder and more brittle than the outside layers. ZPD189 is very hard and has incredible edge retension.

Damascus today usually refers to pattern welded steel. Layers of steel welded together, then etched to show a pattern. The properties are not greater than standard steel.

I'd second the motion for trying the Queen mountain man. You might also try an Opinel. Neither is going to be too pricey. The Opinel will be less expensive. Try it and see if a carbon steel is going to be a good choice for your EDC duties. If you like it, you can look for something that has exactly the style you want.
 
I'll suggest a design that I've been eyeing recently, a Douk-Douk. Carbon steel blade, slipjoint like action, no lock (you didnt mention a preference). The steel seems rather soft at 53-54 HRc, but maybe that is just one brand. They can be found on the net. www.leevalley.com has some for about $15 before shipping.
 
I like D2, but as others have suggested, it's the diet-coke of carbon steels. I'm not steel snob, but I've heard such great things about M2 that if I were you I'd hunt down a 710HS.

However, keep in mind, the variables between your two knives will be great. There are so many things other than steel composition that can affect performance.
 
knarfeng said:
Uhhh... I think you mean VG10 outer layers with ZDP189 in the center. That's two types of stainless. This is normally termed "laminated steel". The benefit is that the center steel can be much harder and more brittle than the outside layers. ZPD189 is very hard and has incredible edge retension.

Damascus today usually refers to pattern welded steel. Layers of steel welded together, then etched to show a pattern. The properties are not greater than standard steel.

I'd second the motion for trying the Queen mountain man. You might also try an Opinel. Neither is going to be too pricey. The Opinel will be less expensive. Try it and see if a carbon steel is going to be a good choice for your EDC duties. If you like it, you can look for something that has exactly the style you want.
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Perhaps I missed that part of the description, however it struck me odd as I didn't see anything about zdp189 in the description of the steel. I read it a few times cause with what was given I found it odd that a damascus was used as the core rather than the outer layer. I can't find the listing and I seem to remember that it was in some very off brand sight.

I'm already shopping for Opinels and I plan on having one while I shop for a more permanent edc.

Since you addressed the Damascus, and I understand that you may not be able to answer for all Damascus, I am wondering if standard carbon Damascus would compare in edge retention to good quality high carbon steel?
 
mnblade said:
You could try a Case Sodbuster in chrome vanadium (CV), their very fine carbon steel.

Or, if you insist on a lock, Moore Maker makes a lock back in carbon steel. But it's a good bit smaller than what I think you're looking for.
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Now that case with cv certainly is worth checking out. I already use square tip wood handle leather knives with cv and those suckers are sharp. The guys at the shop like taking accusharps to them, but that often leaves a folded blade. I have recently been using my aligner on them, and with just a few minutes of work, they are close to scary sharp. One day, I'm going to sit down with a brand new one and find out what scary sharp means.
 
As to the d2 question. I have designs on a 710, however right now I want to fulfill my original curiosity and find a working "high carbon" steel blade in a good edc. I don't want anything that is effected by elevated amounts of cromium. That is the definition of what I am looking for. I am suprised though that a good high carbon steel like 1095 is just .95 carbon while other steels are much higher. I do understand that there is so much more that goes into this, however for this search, I want to stay away from anything that has elevated amounts of cromium that seems to have a negative effect on the edge retention.

One question I do have is the same question I asked Knarfeng. How does most of the carbon Damascus blades compare to say zdp-189 or 1095 or crome vanadium in edge retention. I have ran across several damascus folders that match my criteria and are in my price range, not to mention a near upcoming release. (Ducking for cover)
On that same note, how about edge retention for damascus with a vg-10 core?
 
Cold Steel used to sell a model called the Trail Guide in Carbon V. They've been discontinued for a while but you might find one on eBay. There was a "medium" version, which I owned (blade was approx. 2.5") and a large version (blade approx. 3.5"). It had a thumbhole, pocket clip, and lockback mechanism.
 
Nosetotail said:
I was under the impression that D2 wasn't considered stainless only cause it didn't make the 14 mark for cromium, but that it was actually marginally stainless at 12. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this as I am quite new to this.
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Always learning something knew on this forum....(the above is just a sample...:thumbup:)

Regards
 
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