Traditional folder blade steel

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g123

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Oct 25, 2009
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What traditional folder manufacturer (not custom) has the best stainless steel blades?

I am a real fan of Case SS, but I would like to venture out.

Thanks,

Geoff
 
If D2 is stainless, Marbles and Rough Ryder both have a few.
(My D2 Buck 112 S.K. Blades SFO, and Marbles MR431 don't patina that I've noticed.)
Rough Ryder also has a medium 3 blade stockman, and I'm not sure what size 2 blade Trapper with 10V.
On at least some of the 100 series, and I think some of the 500 series, Buck offers S30V in the Custom Shop.

Some of the GEC branded GEC's (not the Northwoods, Northfield, or Farm and Field) have 440C, if you can find one.

I don't know what Bear and Sons and other makers are using.
 
Lesknife said:
Buck 420hc with Bos heat treat is best in 420 class steel. I have both Case ss and cv but they don’t hold an edge to my Buck knives in 420hc.
Click to expand...
This is spot on from my perspective. What companies use a steel close to Buck's 420HC?

Zieg
 
The first pic in the link for Albers shows the nail nick being milled in. Never knew how it was done!
Beautiful knives from that company and all sold out it seems.
 
Opinel's Sandvik steel should not be overlooked, gets really sharp like all other Sandvik steels.

Look out for a 2018 Forum Knife from Buck, the 154 steel is very satisfying indeed.
 
They are quite expensive and can be hard to find, but Boker Solingen has a few trappers and barlows made from 440C steel. I think it is not yet released, but they should soon have N690 barlow with micarta handle. My local store says january/february of 2021.

In the last couple of months I used Brother 1507. They make lockbacks and slipjoints with VG-10. Probably not fake, edge holding was between 14C28N and D2. Just stay away from 1503, too thick to cut anything.

It is maybe not fully traditional, but check Manly Comrade or smaller Wasp. I got it because local stores don't have more traditional sodbusters and it was so good I used it for most of the last year. Cuts great, feels solid, strong spring with multiple stops. They have D2, CPM154 and S90V version for a good price. I got it from a local retailer so can't confirm, but I heard from a few people to buy them from a retailers and not directly from maker's site because currently there are long delays.

You can also check Maserin Scout. It is sodbuster looking D2 with micarta. I was thinking about getting it, but eventually didn't because of international shipping.
 
Queen D2 has been in my experience, basically stainless. Much better edge retention than case CV, and SS.

GEC makes lovely knives. Their 440C should have much better edge retention than case stainless (which I find to be soft).

Others have mentioned Lionsteel, they use much higher end steels, with lovely construction. A bit more expensive, but on par with GEC. Not quite as traditional as far as construction, but still lovely.

I've found S&M file and wire in ATS34 to be better than Case steel for edge retention..
 
ed_is_dead said:
The first pic in the link for Albers shows the nail nick being milled in. Never knew how it was done!
Beautiful knives from that company and all sold out it seems.
Click to expand...

Most makers use a fly cutter for nicks. It’s not as easy as it looks either...
 
Grohmannseens to have pretty nice blades, but my knife is pretty thick behind the edge so It's not really something I can judge very well.
It sharpens up great though, I think it's some kind of German something or other.
 
JB in SC said:
Most makers use a fly cutter for nicks. It’s not as easy as it looks either...
Click to expand...
Im guessing to make the tapers uniform at either end might present a challenge.
How were long pulls made in days past? Were they stamped in when hot or ground in some fashion?
 
- not quite sure what version/type of stainless the Cyclops is, but these are great, well worth a look imho



 
ed_is_dead said:
Im guessing to make the tapers uniform at either end might present a challenge.
How were long pulls made in days past? Were they stamped in when hot or ground in some fashion?
Click to expand...

@Jack Black could tell you for sure how they were done by the Sheffield makers. I would venture to say most crescent nicks were stamped with dies using an arbor type press, but long pulls might have been file cut.

There have been custom makers in the past that have stamped nicks before they acquired milling machines and many many have used Dremel type tools.
 
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