Thinking of getting H1 knives

[RickJ]

I have been thinking about adding two H1 Knives, I currently do not have any knives with H1 steel, so I have a few questions.

1. Can it take a razor edge?
2. How hard is it?
3. Can you sharpen it with stones?
4.Who likes H1 and why?


RickJ

 

[Reeek]

I have been thinking about adding two H1 Knives, I currently do not have any knives with H1 steel, so I have a few questions.

1. Can it take a razor edge?
2. How hard is it?
3. Can you sharpen it with stones?
4.Who likes H1 and why?


RickJ

My take: (Salt 1 and Ladybug Salt)

1. Mine pops hairs with the lightest stroke when sharpened
2. I believe H1 is a pretty hard steel on the RC scale. Low-mid 60's I believe.It doesn't hold it's edge quite as well as other high end steels that may be softer on the RC scale. I'd put it in the AUS10/154Cm range. It work hardens meaning it gets harder with use and sharpening.
3. It sharpens up very easily IMHO. Holds a good working edge for a couple weeks the way I uses it.
4, I love it because it does hold a good edge for a good amount of time, the Salt 1 is SUPER light (2 ozs) the handle is comfortable, it will not rust and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg

 

[RickJ]

Thanks for the info!

RickJ

 

[beluga]

How is the H1 getting harder after use and sharpening ? I just can't digest that idea.

 

[JTR357]

:thumbup:I agree with everything Reek said.I'd also like to add that H1 does scratch/scuff easier than other premium steels though,if that matters any.

 

[Josh K]

How is the H1 getting harder after use and sharpening ? I just can't digest that idea.

It's magic. (Precipitation hardened steel, see the Spyderco page for more information)

:thumbup:I agree with everything Reek said.I'd also like to add that H1 does scratch/scuff easier than other premium steels though,if that matters any.

That's because the edge is the hardest part. It's like a knife with differential heat treating. The further back you go from the edge the softer it is, and the easier it is to scratch or show marks.

 

[spyderHS08]

trust us.
Just do it. I love all 3 of mine! tasman, salt 1 and ladybug salt SE. awesome knives!

 

[SOLEIL]

:thumbup:I agree with everything Reek said.I'd also like to add that H1 does scratch/scuff easier than other premium steels though,if that matters any.

It also buffs out easily with a Dremel buffing wheel. Very cool stuff, gets better the more it's used and will not rust.

 

[Th232]

How is the H1 getting harder after use and sharpening ? I just can't digest that idea.

If you want a technical explanation, the more you "work" a steel, whether it's cutting it, bending it, or even rubbing it hard enough, you put the material under stress and cause dislocations. Metal grains have several slip planes in them, if the dislocations move along intersecting slip planes, they'll obstruct one another and accumulate at these points. The more dislocations, the greater the chance is of them interfering with each other, and thus the stronger the material becomes.

If you look into some metal working processes, annealing is mandatory after said processes because the dislocation density is so high that the material is too brittle for use.

N.B. This is from what I can recall in a first year engineering materials course I did, so I hope it's right, but I may have misnamed some things...