Tool steel or stainless steel for your camping needs?

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
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I've recently made the move from mainly tacticool productions to custom tacticools and traditional productions. That said, I still have my Manix, 710, Skirmish and Ritter Grips. In addition to my Ritter fixed blade Grip and a Military on the buy list next. When I go camping, I usually take a smaller fixed blade, lately its been my Swamp Rat Howling Rat, and a larger fixed blade, either my Scott Gossman 8" camp knife, or my Swamp Rat Camp Tramp. I still carry a folder on me, usually its my Grip, although my Manix works pretty well in a belt sheath. I prefer carbon or tool steel (modding my Becker BK7 now ;) ), for the ease of sharpening. I've never beat the crap out of S30V so bad that it has chipped, so I really don't have a problem with stainless steel blades, but like I said, for me tool steel is easier to sharpen and maintain.

For the casual camper like myself, or the hardcore survivalists, whats your preferred type of steel?
 
I like both and it just depends on my location and activities, as to which I will carry with me. I have a BK7, though the coating is worn in a few places, I prefer to leave it on, because of my proximity to saltwater. I have a BRKT Northstar, which I like a lot. Most of my other sheath knives are 12c27 or 12c27mod stainless in the form of Frost and Eriksson Mora knives, primarily because I spend a lot of time on the coast, along the rivers, so I do get wet from time to time.
 
First choice: INFI!!!

Thereafter: In general, I like carbon steel, especially for choppers (W-2, L6, S7). General purpose knives from tool steels like A2, 5160, or 52100 in the RC59-61 range are nice compromises between toughness and hardness.

However, my EDC folder is the Blade-Tech Wegner Pro-Hunter in S30V. In my usage and inconsiderate abuse of the knife, the S30V has held up well in my estimation. It resharpens pretty easily, holds its edge well (compared to cheaper stainless folders I've carried (often AUS-8)), and resists chipping at an acceptable level. I wouldn't hesitate to get another S30V knife from the same maker.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Don't forget that the heat treat is the soul of a blade. It is the often-forgotten element of the Holy Trinity Of Knifemaking (steel, geometry, heat treat) because it takes place outside the experience of us end consumers. We tend to not notice/talk about it and so usually ignore it or, more dangerously, assume it is up to snuff. IMHO we should question knifemakers as rigorously on the heat treat of their wares as we do on their steel, geometry, and handle material/shape choices.

While INFI may be an interesting amalgamation of steel characteristics, it is Jerry Busse's comprehensive (and finely controlled) heat/cryo treat schedule that makes the steel perform as well as it does. Consider the D2 torture test thread that Eric Isaacson posted as evidence that a steel that is relatively brittle can be made extremely tough with the right heat treatment. The Busse/Swamp Rat/ScrapYard heat treat regimens IME have brought their steels to a high level of toughness, while allowing them to be hard enough to hold their edges well.

(edit to add) Lest you think I'm a steel snob, I have knives made of steels all across the spectrum from carbon mystery steel (i.e. God only knows what steel it is) on some of my "coupla bucks apiece" gun show snags... on to Becker & Ranger knives, along with Mora knives... through the stainless gamut (AUS-XX, VG10, S30V, mystery stainless, Rostfrei, ATS-34, 154CM, Miracle Blade kitchen knives ;) )... a smattering of INFI... and finally some custom forged hi-carbon and damascus blades. So I have a bit of everything.
 
I moved away from Stainless sometime ago for my fixed blades. I only have one fixed stainless blade and it is S30V. I prefer Carbon blades for ease of sharpening, and durablity. However most of my folding pocket knives are stainless.
 
I like both carbon steels and good stainless steels. If I'm going somewhere that's guaranteed to be wet or salty, then I'm more likely to take something stainless with me.
 
Elen said:
I like both carbon steels and good stainless steels. If I'm going somewhere that's guaranteed to be wet or salty, then I'm more likely to take something stainless with me.
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I have the same answer.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Do you guys use your traditionals (slippies, Buck 110, Schrade Cave Bear etc) when camping?
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My EDC gets used for pretty much everything around the house and it's been in the field with me on several occassions. However, because of it's age (even though it's still tight), I usually use the Vic OH lockblade, or a fixed blade, for most camp chores.
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silenthunterstudios said:
Do you guys use your traditionals (slippies, Buck 110, Schrade Cave Bear etc) when camping?
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Every time I go out. One of my traditional slip joints gets used about 90% of the time, and for everything else there is my axe, or Mora.

Don't get me wrong, I love fixed blades and have many...... but a good SAK, or Sodbuster is very handy.

BTW....... my first choice for fixed blade steel is carbon, then tool steel, then stainless:D

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Tarmix, I really like your SAK. I saw the soldier model had all of that but the saw. What model is yours? A farmer?
 
I do prefer carbon steel, but have a number of stainless steel knives that I also use. For the amount that I actually get to use my knives (lately), it matters little what steel they are made of. It isn't unusual for me to pack one of each on a trip. As long as I can keep the edge up, I'm happy.

I have as many ss Moras as I have carbon steelies. One of my current favorite outdoor tools in my stable is 440C, and it hasn't seen any wet environments - yet. One of my other favorites is a Carbon V Master Hunter, which accompanied me on a 4-day sea kayaking adventure and held up pretty well, despite my lack of care. I guess I'm all over the map.

As far as traditional slippies, I've not many. I have a few SAKs stashed around in packs and such it little mini kits, but they rarely see any action.
 
Carbon for me. I don't mind staining at all, gives them character. I like the toughness, edge holding and easy sharpening.
 
O1 is my absolute favorite in a large camp knife. I say this from experience using the steel for heavy work. I like A2 second. I'm about to start working with 1084 which should prove to be a winner in the large knife catagory.
Scott
 
I'm with Scott on this question. O-1 has been my favorite since my first Randall 14 so many years ago.
 
When camping/hiking a usually carry a large fixed blade
BK&T CU/7 and a small stainless knife like a SAK soldier or
Kershaw mini-cyclone. The stainless knives get used for
food prep and precision work and the big fixed for the larger chopping
and cutting tasks. I feel the big carbon with a small stainless is a good knife combo to cover a wide range of tasks in the field.
 
Hey Guys...

Here are my main outdoors knives...

3knives1.jpg


Busse Combat Battle Mistress - E Infi steel
Custom Jeff Diotte Humpback - S60V
Mora SWAK - Stainless
Victorinox Hercules - Stainless

These 4 knives get the job pretty much done for me...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
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