Touhest stainless knife steel

Revolverrodger

Revolverrodger

Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
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I was wondering if someone had data comparing the toughness if dufferent stainless steels used to make knives? Is s35vn tougher than 440a ?
I'm wondering how a well heat treated stainless steel would perform in a large chopper
 
!2C27 is mentioned often, but you seem to be looking for something a bit more pricey. From what I have read, CPM 154, S35VN, Elmax and CTS-XHP are supposed to be fairly tough. Nile and Becut supposedly have a good reputation too, but we don't really see them on Us made knives.
 
I forget what it's called, but the toughest steel currently is difficult to produce, expensive and mostly used by the government on very particular applications.

There's that one knife maker that uses it to make his knives.

Hope that helps.
 
wensynch said:
I forget what it's called, but the toughest steel currently is difficult to produce, expensive and mostly used by the government on very particular applications.

There's that one knife maker that uses it to make his knives.

Hope that helps.
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Alright I get that you're trying to be vague on purpose, so can someone fill me in here?
 
12c27 is a great stainless steel. Have several blades; fixed and folders, that use it. Also have made a few fixed blades with it. Takes and holds a great edge. Widely used in Nordic knives like Helle and Brusletto.

Rich
 
Data is a good guide but you cannot rely on it. It just does not tell the whole story. My 440a knives have been the toughest SS knives I have ever owned, and I would say my ATS34 is second and both were much tougher than cpmS30v
 
Elmax is tough for stainless.
I have 2 custom folders and one custom fix blade and I think it is great steel.
Russ
 
A chart like this may be a useful start.


Chipping resistance may be a measure of toughness, if by toughness you mean low likelihood of breakage.
 
Cobalt said:
Data is a good guide but you cannot rely on it. It just does not tell the whole story. My 440a knives have been the toughest SS knives I have ever owned, and I would say my ATS34 is second and both were much tougher than cpmS30v
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...data is the only thing you can rely on. Anecdotal evidence is highly, highly suspect due to the inability to limit the variables involved.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
...data is the only thing you can rely on. Anecdotal evidence is highly, highly suspect due to the inability to limit the variables involved.
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The problem with data is that it is supplied by the manufacturer of that steel, no other source. Kinda like the fox guarding the hen house. IMO that is highly suspect as well.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
...data is the only thing you can rely on. Anecdotal evidence is highly, highly suspect due to the inability to limit the variables involved.
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Cobalt said:
The problem with data is that it is supplied by the manufacturer of that steel, no other source. Kinda like the fox guarding the hen house. IMO that is highly suspect as well.
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If it works for you, then any data can be disregarded. If you're happy with 440a, then why rely on data stating that 3V might be tougher/better for the other guy?

It's like the "overbuilt knife" crowd. I don't understand it, but it seems to work for some
shrug_n.gif
 
Nothing can be trusted, if you don't trust the people involved. Whether anecdotes or technical testing.
 
mtangent said:
A chart like this may be a useful start.


Chipping resistance may be a measure of toughness, if by toughness you mean low likelihood of breakage.
Click to expand...

If chipping resistance = toughness, then by this chart I am to believe that S35VN is significantly tougher than 3V? A2 and 440C have the same wear resistance as 3V? 3V and 10V have the same corrosion resistance? I agree that reputable data always trumps personal experience but this chart leaves something to be desired....
 
Blues Bender said:
If it works for you, then any data can be disregarded. If you're happy with 440a, then why rely on data stating that 3V might be tougher/better for the other guy?

It's like the "overbuilt knife" crowd. I don't understand it, but it seems to work for some
shrug_n.gif
Click to expand...

Because the data provided does not match the results in some cases, especially S30V. 3V is a different story and I do believe that data is pretty accurate. But you prove or disprove data with actual use. But for those that do not use hard use knives hard then I guess the data is good enough.
 
wroughndt said:
If chipping resistance = toughness, then by this chart I am to believe that S35VN is significantly tougher than 3V? A2 and 440C have the same wear resistance as 3V? 3V and 10V have the same corrosion resistance? I agree that reputable data always trumps personal experience but this chart leaves something to be desired....
Click to expand...

Yes, They all leave a lot to be desired. There are too many variables to make an accurate table.
Instead of telling the OP his question has no reliable answer, I offered up a chart to take him one step further down the path of unreliability.
 
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