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VG-1 or Sk-5 CS Gurka Kukri
- Thread starter RickJ
- Start date
no experience with either, but it is my understanding that SK-5 is going to be tougher, which might be what you are looking for in a big chopper like that
cold steel says that their SK-5 is basically 1080 steel, and they say that as quenched it is around 65 RC, but i bet they temper it down some. 1080 is popular as an easy to work and treat steel with good edge retention and toughness when treated right.
all the info i know about VG1 is that cold steel says it "showed the greatest performance increases in the most critical categories" over shiro 2, C-SP-2, 10A, 440C, VG-10 and ATS34 in "ability to retain an edge and proven strength in point and blade tests"...in short, i don't really know about this steel.
so if you are using, i would say go with SK-5 for simple time tested ability at a much lower price, if you are collecting/packing it away, i would go with VG1 for collector value
cold steel says that their SK-5 is basically 1080 steel, and they say that as quenched it is around 65 RC, but i bet they temper it down some. 1080 is popular as an easy to work and treat steel with good edge retention and toughness when treated right.
all the info i know about VG1 is that cold steel says it "showed the greatest performance increases in the most critical categories" over shiro 2, C-SP-2, 10A, 440C, VG-10 and ATS34 in "ability to retain an edge and proven strength in point and blade tests"...in short, i don't really know about this steel.
so if you are using, i would say go with SK-5 for simple time tested ability at a much lower price, if you are collecting/packing it away, i would go with VG1 for collector value
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2007
- Messages
- 890
I agree with siguy; makes sense.
Have you looked at the HI models? You can get an authentic khuk that is probably better for about the same or lower price; sometimes you can pick them up even cheaper over in their forum on the "deal of the day" threads. I think there are still some for sale from today's deal too. Just a thought.
Have you looked at the HI models? You can get an authentic khuk that is probably better for about the same or lower price; sometimes you can pick them up even cheaper over in their forum on the "deal of the day" threads. I think there are still some for sale from today's deal too. Just a thought.
"OK! if the hardness of Sk-5 is around 65 RC, would that not make it brittle and not good for chopping?"
that RC is as quenched, meaning that's about as hard as it gets. they heat it up and dunk it (or however they do in a factory) and that's the hardness on it. i'm sure that cold steel wouldn't leave it that way, i can't really think of anyone that would for a practical application. they probably temper it down to a more reasonable RC rating by cooking it at lower heat (usually between 400 and 600 i think). what they bring it down to, i don't know, you would have to ask them.
but i don't think that cold steel would leave it that hard.
i agree on getting a HI, good stuff. i think you can usually get like five or six for the price of the sanmai, or go custom even. but its in the price range of the SK-5, with a wider variety.
that RC is as quenched, meaning that's about as hard as it gets. they heat it up and dunk it (or however they do in a factory) and that's the hardness on it. i'm sure that cold steel wouldn't leave it that way, i can't really think of anyone that would for a practical application. they probably temper it down to a more reasonable RC rating by cooking it at lower heat (usually between 400 and 600 i think). what they bring it down to, i don't know, you would have to ask them.
but i don't think that cold steel would leave it that hard.
i agree on getting a HI, good stuff. i think you can usually get like five or six for the price of the sanmai, or go custom even. but its in the price range of the SK-5, with a wider variety.
- Joined
- May 18, 2005
- Messages
- 23,060
HI are the real deal, and available in many styles and sizes. Cold Steal has a crappy warranty, while HI has a lifetime warranty. No contest.
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2005
- Messages
- 11,135
Im lookin at gettin one too, and HI will be my choice hands down.
I chopped up a table with it and missed and hit the ground (Az desert ground)with the tip and there was only some rolling and scratches I steeled it out and it's good as new.
SK5 is JIS standard for steel.
It is used in Japan and Asian in general.
There are different types of steel:
* generic steels such as AISI steel grades (440 series...) or japanese "AUS" steel grades (AUS6, AUS8...) grades: those are production norms, eg 440C is defined as a certain type of steel with certain element combination (what you see in steel charts) and certain production norms. There are generally more or less tight production margins (eg on alloying elements proportions). Anyone who follows those recommandation can sell his steel as 440C. While, in theory, any country can produce any type of generic steel, maker of stick to national norms for designation (AISI in the US, AUS in Japan/Asia, DIN in Germany/Europe...). One can also note there are often steel grades that are almost the same from one norm to another. Often filling the same niches.
ex: 420, 440A, 440B, 440C; Aus6, Aus8, Aus10; A2, D2, L6...
* proprietary steel such as Crucible 3V, Bohler N690Co... Those steel are sold by a particular manufacturer that has invented (and possibly patented) his own norm: he may use its very own formulations and/or special manufacturing processes (Powder steel, electro melting, better carbide distribution...). Some manufacturer even sell common steel grade under their designation claiming their steel is better than plain AISI steel eg: Boehler sells 440C as "Bohler N695" claiming their manufacturing process (better quality control, less inclusions...) makes it better than plain, common 440C steel. In certain case steel maker can sell licences to produce that steel to other manufacturer. Another manufacturer could also manage to duplicate a proprietary steel, but I wouldn't be allowed to use the "brand".
ex: S30V, VG10, N690Co...
SK5 is a pretty common high carbon spring steel, it compares with 1080 (plain carbon, 0.8% carbon content). It is inexpensive and quite tough.
VG1 is a japanese proprietary stainless high carbon steel. It would be a lot more expensive and probably a lot more "advanced" steel, but not sure it would shine in that particular application.
http://www.e-tokko.com/eng_vg1.htm
It is used in Japan and Asian in general.
There are different types of steel:
* generic steels such as AISI steel grades (440 series...) or japanese "AUS" steel grades (AUS6, AUS8...) grades: those are production norms, eg 440C is defined as a certain type of steel with certain element combination (what you see in steel charts) and certain production norms. There are generally more or less tight production margins (eg on alloying elements proportions). Anyone who follows those recommandation can sell his steel as 440C. While, in theory, any country can produce any type of generic steel, maker of stick to national norms for designation (AISI in the US, AUS in Japan/Asia, DIN in Germany/Europe...). One can also note there are often steel grades that are almost the same from one norm to another. Often filling the same niches.
ex: 420, 440A, 440B, 440C; Aus6, Aus8, Aus10; A2, D2, L6...
* proprietary steel such as Crucible 3V, Bohler N690Co... Those steel are sold by a particular manufacturer that has invented (and possibly patented) his own norm: he may use its very own formulations and/or special manufacturing processes (Powder steel, electro melting, better carbide distribution...). Some manufacturer even sell common steel grade under their designation claiming their steel is better than plain AISI steel eg: Boehler sells 440C as "Bohler N695" claiming their manufacturing process (better quality control, less inclusions...) makes it better than plain, common 440C steel. In certain case steel maker can sell licences to produce that steel to other manufacturer. Another manufacturer could also manage to duplicate a proprietary steel, but I wouldn't be allowed to use the "brand".
ex: S30V, VG10, N690Co...
SK5 is a pretty common high carbon spring steel, it compares with 1080 (plain carbon, 0.8% carbon content). It is inexpensive and quite tough.
VG1 is a japanese proprietary stainless high carbon steel. It would be a lot more expensive and probably a lot more "advanced" steel, but not sure it would shine in that particular application.
http://www.e-tokko.com/eng_vg1.htm
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2008
- Messages
- 9,491
If you could pick one up pretty cheap with a crack in the handle, you could probably get it rehandled with something more modern.
I don't bring alot of big knives out with me, but my HI AK is a blast to use.