Toughest 1/8" Stock - O-1 or 1084

T

tejas7

Joined
Sep 14, 1999
Messages
92
I am a huge fan of 5160 that I use in my stock removal made knives. I currently use mainly 3/16" stock that I get from Admiral Steel. I need to make up a batch of "tactical/utility" knives out of 1/8" stock.

My question, I have always used O-1 in the past on my 1/8" blades. How would 1/8" 1084 hold up in comparison in edge holding and in overall toughness? I do differentially heat treat all my blades (drawing back the spine).

These knives will probably be subject to much more abuse than an average hunter would.
 
Try 1095. It is just about the "toughest" high-carbon steel available.

[This message has been edited by samwereb (edited 11-03-2000).]
 
Originally posted by Darrel Ralph:
It depends on the heat treat!
Click to expand...


True, and I should have known better than to try to answer with a "best" or "toughest" statment. I also disregarded the guy's intention to differentially treat the blade. How about giving him some advice about a "better," not "best" choice, and heat treating specs?
 
If you are going to differentially heat treat the blade, the 1084 will produce a more distinct temper line than the O1. 1084 will produce a very nice line when clay coated, can be controlled . About 1/8" of clay is all that is needed to produce the needed results. As far as tough goes, the steel was used by the first and second place winners in the ABS cutting contest this fall. Not necessarily a big plug for 1084, because both makers are very good and what ever steel they would have used, would have won. If you haven't used the 1084 before, just use the brass rod to find out the optimum tempering temp for your oven. Hope this helps.

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Ray Kirk
http://www.tah-usa.net/raker
 
I draw my 1084 to a possum ear blue. It works well. That is about 475 in my oven. By far more people enter the ABS cutting using 1084 than any other steel.
 
If properly done, both 1084 and 0-1 will produce excellent results. I think with the manganese level of 1084 (.6-.9 range) and slightly lower carbon level of 1084 (.84 vs. 1.) 1084 may have the ability to be tougher. In my experience, when you start getting higher carbon contents you may have more frequent occurances of chipping etc...

This is why for "toughness" 1084 also edges out 1095 etc....

But all and all, both produce excellent results and it would take "shop testing" to tell any difference, if discernable at all.


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"Never hit a man unless you must, but if you must, knock him down" Teddy Roosevelt.

www.lameyknives.com

[This message has been edited by RMLamey (edited 11-05-2000).]
 
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