VG-10 vs ATS-55

Cosmic Superchunk

Cosmic Superchunk

Joined
Jan 28, 2001
Messages
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I have a Spyderco Delica with ATS-55 blade and I just picked up a blue handled Delica with VG-10 blade. I haven't used it yet, but what are the advantages of VG-10 over ATS-55?
 
You will find the the VG-10 blade will hold an extremely fine edge. It sharpens easily and is a tough steel without being brittle.
I've had the Al Mar SERE 2000 for a little over a year now. I've used and abused this knife extensively and am quite happy with the steel.
Doc
 
You will find ats-55 a touch-and-go steel. Even Spyderco has the occasional problem with it.

I know there are some out there that have ats-55 knives that rust if you look at them. I however have not had any problems yet in 3 yrs and 3 ats-55 knives(Delica light in Aug'99;Cricket Tufram SE in Mar '01; Dragonfly SS PE in Aug '02). It's all in the heat treat. You get the occasional bad batch.

VG-10... super steel...
I've had my Calypso jr lt for 5 months, and love it already. The vanadium in the steel allows for a very fine grained steel. The edge will go on, and not come off. Even my kitchen knives have dulled after a night of my cooking, but my calypso has needed only a couple swipes after. I don't know how it will act with the new grind on the delica, but will be a definite upgrade.
 
I've also noticed that my ATS-55 Harpy and Civilian blades exhibit no rust or discoloration despite lots of fondling. However, all of my FRN models with ATS-55 (bought at different times) have some degree of surface discoloration around the holes from opening and yes, they seem to rust if you as much as look at 'em. Perhaps the blades for the stainless/G-10 handles models are given a bit more TLC in the heat treat? At any rate, I'm hoping that the upcominig plain edge Harpy will be VG-10 'cause I'm so getting one (even if it isn't!)

PM
 
Ditto my ATS-55 Harpy. It has been used extensively in the garden and the yard and covered with all sorts of plant goop and washed off with a garden hose and it does not have the first trace of rust anywhere on it. It has impressed me very well with its edgeholding also, even when sawing through small branches.
 
Could you tell me where you got the blue handled VG-10 Delica? I haven't seen them offered anywhere.
 
Don't know yet about VG-10, though I hear and feel it will be a great steel. I have yet to own a knife in this steel but looking forward to a VG-10 Police, etc.

I have some ATS-55 that rusts easily and others that don't. I find sometimes it can take quite a bit of work (for me) to just touch up the edge on an ATS-55 blade (plain), even though it was not quite dull to begin with. This happened with my SS-handled Dragonfly, last night I spent about 20-plus minutes getting it sharp when it was only partially dull. Hopefully the VG-10 will be easier to re-touch to a scary sharp edge.
Jim
 
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