What Highly corrosion resistant blade steels are available?

jdm61 said:
I am not sure that would be hard enough for me if I was making a hardcore saltwater fillet knife for a lazy man with lots of money, which is probably the only application I would use this stuff for.
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Have you tested Z-FiNit?

There are two ABS mastersmiths who say Z-FiNit outperforms 52100. I agree with the Mastersmiths. Nitrogen steel cut differently than standard carbon steels. I don't know how to back up this statement other than telling knifemakers to test it for themselves.

In our testing, Z-FiNit has excellent toughness. Jon Walker forged two kitchen knives. Both knives are ground very thin, there is a tiny secondary bevel. Both knives were heat treated by Peters heat treat to HRC 59.5. The knives have been in use for more than two years and neither knife has chipped. The edge holding is better than I expected from HRC 59.5.

Jon took one of the knives to a cooking class taught by a professional chef. The chef asked to use the knife and then offered to buy it.

Regarding corrosion resistance, comparing nitrogen stainless steel to regular stainless steel is almost like comparing regular stainless steel to carbon steel. The corrosion resistance of nitrogen steels is that much better.

Chuck
 
I would love to buy a traditional or tactical folder with Z-FiNit.

H1 is my favorite steel but unfortunately there aren't many choices from Spyderco with this steel. My dream was to always have a custom rust free steel knife with rust free hardware and titanium grips.
 
Question answered. ;) The toughness and corrosion resistance is not really surprising but the edge holding results are very interesting. As for forging, who is crazy enough to do that? :D But seriously, has anyone that you know of tried to forge weld it?
Alpha Knife Supply said:
Have you tested Z-FiNit?

There are two ABS mastersmiths who say Z-FiNit outperforms 52100. I agree with the Mastersmiths. Nitrogen steel cut differently than standard carbon steels. I don't know how to back up this statement other than telling knifemakers to test it for themselves.

In our testing, Z-FiNit has excellent toughness. Jon Walker forged two kitchen knives. Both knives are ground very thin, there is a tiny secondary bevel. Both knives were heat treated by Peters heat treat to HRC 59.5. The knives have been in use for more than two years and neither knife has chipped. The edge holding is better than I expected from HRC 59.5.

Jon took one of the knives to a cooking class taught by a professional chef. The chef asked to use the knife and then offered to buy it.

Regarding corrosion resistance, comparing nitrogen stainless steel to regular stainless steel is almost like comparing regular stainless steel to carbon steel. The corrosion resistance of nitrogen steels is that much better.

Chuck
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Forge Z-FiNit at 2,150°-2,400°. It is hard to move. Jon uses the 50 ton press. I don't think it will move by hand. After heat treating it is easy to grind.

Michael Rader made some excellent knives from Z-FiNit. We have one on order with him. ;)

Chuck
 
Yeah, thats about 2 1/2 time as much oomph as my press has. :D
Alpha Knife Supply said:
Forge Z-FiNit at 2,150°-2,400°. It is hard to move. Jon uses the 50 ton press. I don't think it will move by hand. After heat treating it is easy to grind.

Michael Rader made some excellent knives from Z-FiNit. We have one on order with him. ;)

Chuck
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Ordered the Z-FiNit yesterday.
Next question:
Is there anywhere here in Canada that anyone would recommend sending it for heat treat or will I have to ship it back across the boarder?
 
Heat treating Z-FiNit is not difficult. It is critical to have a long soak in liquid nitrogen before tempering.

Chuck
 
GrenfellsBrutalForge said:
Ordered the Z-FiNit yesterday.
Next question:
Is there anywhere here in Canada that anyone would recommend sending it for heat treat or will I have to ship it back across the boarder?
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Knifemaker.ca has the equipment to heat treat it, so they may be willing to. I have a dewar being shipped to me right now, and would follow a recipe you provide if they won't do it.
 
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