Throw me some carbon steel.

Swoop03

Swoop03

Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
840
I've used so many different stainless steels that I want a change of scenery. I want something that will rust and patina something that needs care. Kind of like when I just switched from driving an automatic truck to a standard. It takes more attention and I want that.

Recommend me some good folding knives with decent carbon steels. I'm not too picky on the knife itself.
I'd prefer it to come with a pocket clip, but it is NOT a must.
Nothing to big either, if i had to give a number: 2<X<4 [x being the blade length] [greater or equal to 2" but less than 4" for those who skipped algrebra :p i kid]

Price is a problem, under $200 for sure. I'd love if it was under $100 even more, but over isn't going to kill me I guess. I'll just have to save my knife funds longer. I want to try and get my hands on one of the spyderco super blue sprints coming this year but so will everyone else and their brother. I don't have high hopes in scoring one without paying a secondary market price which I assume to be raised. So I wanna get one that isn't hard to get.

I've never had a knife even slightly spot on me, and I kinda want one to at least patina from use. It's something I've never experienced and I've read and heard that some carbon steels can take superb edges and hold them pretty well.
 
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Spyderco Gayle Bradley.

CPM M4, not carbon steel, but it's high alloy non stainless.
 
as much as I think you absolutely SHOULD try CPM M4, I don't think it will necessarily fulfill the itch you have for carbon steel. It is extremely stain resistant and takes some serious work to patina, you pretty much have to force it.

While you're changing up your steel experience, why not your over all knife experience too? Grab a traditional GEC, case, even opinel. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

But CPM M4 is an amazing steel, it's a huge performer and my favorite steel. Just after carrying one through thunder storms sweaty hikes and bike rides, swims, mud puddles, lunch and dinner prep, yet it has only the lightest of patina. Something in 1095 or similar will give that great carbon experience.
 
bobo383 said:
I really like carbone Opinels
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This.

You can buy one right away since they cost peanuts, and still let you try out an excellent carbon steel. As you may already know it is very highly regarded as a slicer (one of the very best imho) and it's pretty classy.

Can't go wrong with a No.8 ;)
 
I suggest that you hold out for one of the Spyderco sprints. There are so many upcoming Super Blue sprints that I don't think it will be hard picking one up.
 
goodeyesniper said:
as much as I think you absolutely SHOULD try CPM M4, I don't think it will necessarily fulfill the itch you have for carbon steel. It is extremely stain resistant and takes some serious work to patina, you pretty much have to force it.

While you're changing up your steel experience, why not your over all knife experience too? Grab a traditional GEC, case, even opinel. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

But CPM M4 is an amazing steel, it's a huge performer and my favorite steel. Just after carrying one through thunder storms sweaty hikes and bike rides, swims, mud puddles, lunch and dinner prep, yet it has only the lightest of patina. Something in 1095 or similar will give that great carbon experience.
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I never really liked the case knives and the other traditional ones, just never had a pattern that stood out to me. I was always a swiss army knife kinda kid when i was growing up and that hasn't really changed. Same with opinel but i can mod the handle to what I want of course. That gayle bradley and the air are very nice looking knives but I never liked the look of carbon fiber and twill and all that fancy huha to be honest. I like plain simply all one color/pattern what have you. My dlc leek is one of my favorite knives and illustrates that well. Non reflective coatings are just cool always loved matte finish, i digress.

I'll have to give those traditional's another look, maybe i will find something I like that I will have to pass on to my grandchildren's children. I know what steels are good and what not I just don't know what knives used this or that. I'm not an export or anything though. Opinels are something I've always wanted to try but the design of them just never turned me on.
Truly what I really want is a small liner/frame lock 2-3 inch blade but with carbon steel. I'm open to any recommendations though, as I am looking for something new and I don't think I will find exactly what I'm looking for unless I make it myself. Which I don't have the experience and know how or equipment to do unfortunately
 
According to the Krazy Kitchen Knife guys, W2 takes a good looking patina as quickly as any carbon steel. Finding it in a production folder isn't going to be easy.
 
If you want a simple carbon steel get a traditional from GEC. The gayle bradley is very nice but I had to work to force a patina with lime juice. It took a while. 1095 will patina almost instantly.
 
Yea I'm gonna have to look into the traditionals again, I was browsing on my own and not many folders use carbon anymore other than them. I'm really interested in that super blue steel I've read some good things about it, also i've heard a few people say if you look at it wrong it'll patina. I know 1095 will rust out quickly I've worked with it a lot in machine shops and if you're not careful it will flash rust on you especially with a milled finish with all those little groves and you just cleaned all the cutting oil off with acetone, you better fine some rust inhibitor quick and grab some scotch bright or fine sandpaper on your way back lol.
 
You might find out you really like traditional knives once you carry one. Touchups are easy, watching the blade change appearance with use, wearing jigged bone scales smooth with use...take a look at GEC on collectorknives.net.
 
If you want a knife that needs a bit more attention than a SS lockback, take a look at the Sword Peasant Knives. Carbon steel, friction folder.
 
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