The Best, The Strongest steel, The knife that needs fewer sharpening

R

roadjungle

Joined
Nov 20, 2005
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QUESTION 1, What is the stronger blade? The SOG 1 SK-5 or the KA-BAR D2 Extreme? (Not considering the weight difference and focusing on the steel) QUESTION 2, Anyone know of a stronger knife that holds a sharp blade longer?
 
D2 steel has good edge retention but it is a brittle steel so it rates low in the toughness area. If you want a good tough fixed blade that will take pretty much anything you throw at it and hold a good edge then here are a few knives/knife companies: Busse, fehrman, Swamp rat, Ranger knives Rd series, Chris reeve one piece line...Just to name a few. I am not sure about the Sog. I could not find it on the website. But chances are the ones I mentioned are better/tougher knives. I hope that helps.

TBG
 
Given the two steel choices in your original post, I'd have to say the SK-5 is the tougher of the two. The D2 would stay sharper longer, I imagine.
 
There is only one steel made that fits your criteria, but it's hard to find a knife maker that will use it because of the extremely close tolerances in heat treating. It is called Rosta-Frei. Good luck! :D
 
Not very fancy but 1095 carbon steel has all the best qualities, toughness, edge holding, ease of sharpening and with a little care will last forever, especially the epoxy coated blades like on the Kabar and the Camillus Becker knives. Also, 0170-6 high carbon steel is, IMO, equal.

I'd take the regular USMC Kabar over the Next Generation models anyday. I also like the Camillus Becker BK10 and occasonally find choosing one over the other difficult.

INFI might be better but only marginally and at a much higher price.

I went to extremes accumulating every knife I thought would be better than the last and finally came full circle to appreciating a good knife that's priced to be a good value.

IF you really want a tough knife to enjoy using and abusing and not worry about breaking, my recommendation is a regular plain edge leather handled USMC Kabar or the Camillus Becker BK10, which ever feels better in your hands. Both sell for about $45.

Collecter
 
I guess going to extremes is something we all have to go thru. Go man, go!:D

Don't leave out Chris Reeve knives.

Collecter
 
You guys are awesome and wow you have saved me some foot work I may have never learned elsewhere. From steel that takes a 30 percent bend and goes back to original shape to tips that promise not to break. If you have more info and opinions please keep it coming. For me it looks like I need a second job for a great collectors hobby. Bladeguy here is the SOG page. http://www.sogknives.com/
 
I don't think there is a steel which is both the strongest and has the best edge-holding at the same time. The steels which have the best edge-holding tend to be more brittle and less tough. Some examples are D2 and BG42.

Possibly the best combination of toughness and edge-holding is found in CPM-3V. It is supposed to be exceptionally tough, yet has better edge-holding than other tough steels. Fehrman Knives are made with CPM-3V. A2 steel is also rated high in both categories.
 
I like Infi myself(Bm-e, Custom shop AD). There is nothing wrong with a properly made 5160 or 1095 blade. I like the steel in victornox because it resharps easily. Really less frequently sharpening isn't something I look for in a knife. (Obviously a guy doesn't want something that holds an edge like pewter.) I judge a knife more on it's ergonomics and usefulness in design.
 
Infi is my choice for toughness and stain resistance. Other plain carbon steels like 1095 will do alright but will rust like no tomorrow.
 
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