Tactical Knife Steel

1984nitro

1984nitro

Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
603
I was wondering what a good steel other than stainless would be for tactical knives. I would like to be able to forge the knives. I have been making them with 1095 but was wondering if there would be something better.
Thanks for the info
Eric Knight
 
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Seems like the Hamon on 1095 is hot right now and I like the steel, I have been using O1 but I am looking to return to 1095.
 
Tactical knife? S7 at HRC 55-58 is some of the toughest strongest stuff out there.
 
I've never used S7 but every maker I've spoken with says it does not take or hold an edge well. It may be very tough, but I don't know if it's a knife steel, especially when you have other options like CPM154CM or CPMS30V or plain old S90V which will definitely take an edge and make a very resilient knife.
 
AcridSaint said:
I've never used S7 but every maker I've spoken with says it does not take or hold an edge well. It may be very tough, but I don't know if it's a knife steel, especially when you have other options like CPM154CM or CPMS30V or plain old S90V which will definitely take an edge and make a very resilient knife.
Click to expand...

Pulling on Cliff Stamp tin foil hat:

I believe there are two main mechanisms in play when we talk about edge retention. One is dulling where the edge wears away, the other is where the edge fails due to chipping or rolling.

CPM154, S30V and S90V are all high carbide steels with good abrasion resistance, where S7 has low abrasion resistance. But the strength of the steel (and the edge stability) is largely a function of its yield strength, which is strongly correlated with the hardness. In fact, S7 has a higher compressive yield strength than any other steel I have looked at, for a particular hardness. So, S7 at HRC 58 should hold an edge at least as well as any of those other steels in a non abrasive application at that same hardness, but it will also be tougher and stronger, all else being equal. So, a blade to be use to hack through something or stab stuff would be a good candidate for S7.

A blade to cut cardboard, rope, string, paper, and just about anything else you can think of, the steels with carbides in them such as S30V will hold a better edge. But for hacking, wacking, and dagging:D, I think S7 might be better...
 
i agree with nathan;
S7 would be a good choice if it is being used as an impact blade (chopping/hacking) due to very high shock resistence.

however, there are other steels that would be better for edge holding when cutting abrasive things like cardboard and string, because S7 has very low wear resistence.

you could go with 3V because it is very tough and has reportedly great wear resistence. according to one chart that i read, 3V almost matches S7 for impact resistence and almost matches M4 for wear resistence, so it could be the best of both worlds.

i've used S7 for a heavy machete and i have been very pleased with the edge holding. i find that for wood cutting and chopping, edge stability (hardness) is more important then wear resistence, because wood is not very abrasive at all. for cutting most other things though, wear resistence can be important.

up to you ;)
 
I agree S7 is some tough stuff...and will take a pharquing beating when ht'd correctly...but then so will D2 and a BUNCH of other steels.

If I remember Hugh Bartrug was doing a damascus the SEALS were buying with frequency...but that was before Mission and all the Hoopty DO!

And remeber you set the parameter...

You said...Tac-TEE-cull.

SO that means you may have to give up some to get some back...you know?

I think Sandvik make some damn good stuff...Gerber does there INF II ASEK in Sandvik Steel I think ....and it is a proven steel/design combination and in use over there where the shooting is....

But a guy could go nuts arguing Blonds versus Redheads....

Good luck.

Shane
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
Pulling on Cliff Stamp tin foil hat:
...
Click to expand...


;) :D I can't help laughing everytime you say that Nathan :D ;)




fwiw, I've never used any S7, but I have made a pile of blades using 3V and its fast becoming one of my favorites :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

IMO though, as Shane stated, you could argue till you were blue in the face about which steel is " best " So many great materials to choose from that would be perfect for the job.


:thumbup:
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
Tactical knife? S7 at HRC 55-58 is some of the toughest strongest stuff out there.
Click to expand...

I have a customer who so believes in S7 that he gave me a piece to make his dagger from. It's enough I'll get several knives from it, and maybe I'll reserve it for tactical applications. Good deal!
 
i too love 3v
but think about this most Kabars were made with a 10xx steel and they work well

getting your grind right will have a lot to do with just how much beating on a knife you can do
 
i too love 3v
but think about this most Kabars were made with a 10xx steel and they work well

getting your grind right will have a lot to do with just how much beating on a knife you can do
 
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