Toughness or Wear Resistance - What is more important when it comes to edge damage?

Daniel Fairly Knives said:

...so toughness and ability to resist edge deformation don't go hand in hand? (or are we more talking about the shock resistance of S7 and other S series steels?)
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Nope, being able to deform rather than fracture is part of toughness. Toughness for metals is resisting fracturing from the energy of a shock load, it is not resistance to deforming. Strength is resistance to deformation, and one measure of strength in steel is hardness. You would want a steel at high hardness that also has high toughness.

The question is how high, as some low alloy steels hardened in the low 50's have been the go to choices for many decades.
 
Daniel Fairly Knives said:

...so toughness and ability to resist edge deformation don't go hand in hand? (or are we more talking about the shock resistance of S7 and other S series steels?)
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Toughness on tool steels is rated in ft/lbs: it's the amount of force required for a standardized pendulum to snap a dumbbell-shaped piece of the material.

The problem with S7 is that its Charpy toughness peaks in the mid 50 HRc. So if you push it up to 59-60 Rockwell, you lose a lot of toughness.
S5, on the other hand (the oil-hardening version of S7) has nearly identical toughness, but the Charpy toughness peaks at 60 Rockwell.

But ultimately, 3V has the same toughness as S7, with about 3 times the wear resistance.
 
Rick Marchand said:
There are reasons why you don't see many supersteel blades in the hands of woods knife users. It might be toughness, ease of sharpening, edge stability, whatever(I know the advantages of alloyed steel). All I'm saying is supersteels don't always fit the bill. EVERYTHING is a compromise. So, you can give me the old "I'll just carry a bic lighter or something else" answer and for most, it makes sense. For me, it no longer holds water because I've been in situations when that is simply not an option and unless you were there, right next to me, you might not understand. If anyone wants to discuss it, I will... but I'll refrain from cluttering up the thread.
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I think "Wolfman Marchand" might be on to something.
 
Rick Marchand said:
No argument from me there, G-spot.

Ha! Now who looks stupid? I have worn underwear since the last pair rotted off! FACE!!!!
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G-Spot? You remembered!!!!:D

heheh


NO steel, no heat treatment, can replace technique. Having said that, it's assumed you've got your shit down if you're looking for better performance. Now, whether you've got your shit down is open for debate!!!!
 
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