The best steel for tactical knives

Well, yuh, but he was asking about steels.
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Yes but there is also plenty of discussion of specific knives in this thread. The Randall 14 with O1 left relatively soft might not have the optimal steel/heat treatment, but the Model 14 is a fantastic design. Maybe a custom maker can be found who would make a similar knife with 5160.
 
Check out the Bolo Tabak as offered by CAS Iberia. It sports L6 Tool Steel and a handle from Massacar Ebony. It's a great fighter and was designed for this sort of use. Also look at the Bolo Tusok, from CAS.
 
As far as a military use knife, you want one for every type of enviornment. When "Use and Abuse" is the name of the game, you want to use a cheap yet strong knife. Cheap so that if it gets damaged or lost and strong because you depend on it. Fortunately those types of steel fit both catagories. I usually look for something like 1095 carbon or for a good stainless like 440A or AUS6A. If price isn't a big factor, I've heard good things about D2. Such as the R.A.T. knives. I like the steels with the lower Rc hardness for military use. They will tend to bend before they break. Such is the case of an Ontario Pilot Survival knife that I carried in the Army. It once bent at the handle and I was able to bend it back into shape.
 
Wunderbar said:
I usually look for something like 1095 carbonSuch is the case of an Ontario Pilot Survival knife that I carried in the Army. It once bent at the handle and I was able to bend it back into shape.
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I would choose 1095,that's just me.This thread is really evolving and enlightening. :thumbup: :cool:
 
My vote (once again) goes for the RD series from http://rangerknives.com/. Awesome warranty and awesome people to deal with. IMHO the best value in a hard use knife out there. Justin and Jen are great.
 
W.T. Beck said:
Yes but there is also plenty of discussion of specific knives in this thread. The Randall 14 with O1 left relatively soft might not have the optimal steel/heat treatment, but the Model 14 is a fantastic design. Maybe a custom maker can be found who would make a similar knife with 5160.
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I was just yanking your chain a bit. I totally agree about the #14 being a fantastic design. There is very little to dislike about Randalls.

Rob
 
My comment on the steel/heat treatment not being the best choice for the Randall is based upon Cliff Stamp's comment above that it is better to use a lower carbon steel for knives like the Model 14. However, my preference for the Randall design is so strong that I would still take the Randall over another brand with a more appropriate steel and heat treatment.
 
Check out the Bark River knives. If you like the black look just give them a coat of black spray paint. They are very sharp and tough blades. These are great for camping and hunting. I would suggest for what you are talking about that you also take a small bow saw and a machete. For clearing a camp site they will be much more efficient than a knife (ie faster and easier). The bow saw can also be used as a meat/bone saw to quarter any game you might take.

http://www.barkriverknives.com/

I don't really pretend to understand "tactical" knives. My only real exposure comes from my army ranger son who spent 18 months in beautiful Baghdad and the surroundings leading a scout platoon with 1st Armoured Div. They all used their army issued knife-bayonet (more knife than bayonet). Everyone carried the same equipment so they could all operate any tool in the platoon. It doesn't get much more tactical than that, IMHO.

http://www.m9bayonet.com/

I think there are many good knives available for your purpose. I would suggest you find a good gun show with a knife dealer so you can fondle them a bit and see which one fits.
 
The origiinal question was about which steel was best. Why hasn't anyone suggested v3 which is supposed to be the best steek around for toughness?
 
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