The BEST knife steel

VG10 - easy

(or is it 12C27? ... :()

investment cast 440C - is the real answer - give it a go if you can
 
Stuart Ackerman - zackerty, a maker in NZ - has been making Serratas from 440c using an investment cast process. It is amazing stuff

On British Blades a PhD metallurgy student did a review of it - I'll see if I can find it

But that aside, the knives are some of the best there are. He is making the last of them now
 
Noddy said:
Stuart Ackerman - zackerty, a maker in NZ - has been making Serratas from 440c using an investment cast process. It is amazing stuff

On British Blades a PhD metallurgy student did a review of it - I'll see if I can find it

But that aside, the knives are some of the best there are. He is making the last of them now
Click to expand...

apparently he's been doing it for over 6 years now. as of 2006 he was going to trademark it as 440C Snowflake Cast Steel. I'm interested in seeing a comparison of it with powdered 440c (CTS-40CP) though.
 
David Boye was doing investment cast 440C at least 11 years ago. It is a great steel for folders, though I'd not trust it in anything made for heavier use. Boye ground his knives very thin, and the cast blades cut for a while.
 
Best Fixed: Cpm-3v (chopper), Cpm-M4 (if you aren't trying to baton or break cinderblocks)

Best Folder/Small Knife: Cpm-M4 -- or -- I have a sincere fondness for 1095 or W1/2 run at 64 HRC. They are Insane. ZDP eat your heart out. I don't give a damn about stainless. Nobody without a fish tail should.
 
me2 said:
David Boye was doing investment cast 440C at least 11 years ago. It is a great steel for folders, though I'd not trust it in anything made for heavier use. Boye ground his knives very thin, and the cast blades cut for a while.
Click to expand...

The Serratas are pretty big and designed for - you know - use :) Haven't heard of any complaints about failures

The steel has a biggish carbide structure and the theory is that as the first sharpness of an edge wears away, these carbides become exposed producing a microserration, and hence an extended sharpness life :) Theory, anyhow. Feels about right though

In any case the knives themselves are marvellous and appear to the be the favourites of many who own them. I have a couple of Fallkniven F1s, and Alan Wood Woodsman and a Hankala Lastu - these are the only ones that offer it any competition. I'd love to be able to afford another
 
cziv said:
440 stainless - bullet proof! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I fired 12 rds at a a folder's blade simply marked 440 stainless and scored several direct hits with a 9mm and the blade cut the fmj bullets. It got some dings in it but it didn't break. Only lost a some pieces on the edge and a grazing shot bent it a bit off true. I'm impressed as heck with it. It was a CCC knife too. :)

1071598466_SRNxJ-L.jpg


4 blade edge hits - 9mm Win FMJ

1071598647_Ew3iC-L.jpg


440 Chinese blade after being blown apart from handle

1071598839_UPn6V-L.jpg


Another angle - showing the edge. The white line shows how much off true the impacts knocked it around but no breakage!

1071599203_SE7WS-L.jpg
 
Last edited:
So far, for me, I love M4 in a folder although most of my folders are from makers using s30v. I love the "personality" of it and it takes, and holds, a terrific edge.

For fixed blades, I used to love infi but I've got a Jonathan McNees custom in 1095 that has absolutely taken a beating and is still sharp. This steel again gets sharp easily, and stays that way.

For kitchen fixed my best has been Aogami Super steel in my custom Takeda 240 gyuto. Although, that being said, I would love to have one of Bob Kramers knives in 52100.

LorenzoL said:
I am pretty sure Ron has one of these...

IMGP3832.jpg
Click to expand...

Guaranteed I think.
 
Ken44 said:
C'mon Ron, I know D2 is just a simple ole tool steel, but think you should give it another try:thumbup:








:p
Click to expand...

I wish we still had the reputation system here sometimes, Ken :D :thumbup:
 
iI do not have favorite steels per se but favorite knives definitely. Based on that my top two choices are.

1. VG-1 SMIII
2. AUS-8
If I had a third it would be 01 carbon.

Modest choices in the eyes of many here, but my favorite as of this post none-the-less.
 
misterjuiceman said:
apparently he's been doing it for over 6 years now. as of 2006 he was going to trademark it as 440C Snowflake Cast Steel. I'm interested in seeing a comparison of it with powdered 440c (CTS-40CP) though.
Click to expand...

Zackerty is going to do a run in investment cast Elmax it looks like :) SerraMaxes
 
Seven pages and no one has mention Rosta Frei steel? :confused: You people must be smokin' something. :eek:

RostaFrei said:
Ja Mon!

Many times I have been to the forums and always I see everyone say "this steel is better" or "that steel is the best" and every time it just make me laugh. Many people say Japanese steel is good and other people say American steel is better. It is time that the world once and for all should know the truth: The best steel in the world is from Jamaica and it is called Rosta-Frei Steel.

Now I know you going to say " yeah, yeah, sure,sure, what makes this Rosta-Frei Steel so much better than the rest?" Well I tell you….

First of all, EVERYONE in Jamaica use this steel in their blades. Everyone say that Rosta-Frei is #1! We use Rosta-Frei Steel to cut our vegetables and fruits. We use Rosta-Frei Steel to cut our meat. We use Rosta-Frei Steel to cut our herbs in the fields. Ja Mon!

The reason why our steel cut so good is in the heat treat. We use special herbal process to treat our steel. What kind of herbs? I cannot tell you or it will not be a secret!;)

Everyday I try to give thanks. Thank you and God Bless!
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top