What is Cold Steel's San Mai III?

Hookus

Hookus

Joined
Dec 20, 2003
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I realize that this is their (Cold Steel) trade secret, but exactly how good is it? Where in the blade steel spectrum does their San Mai fall in? I was looking at buying one of their knives, because it is the only one that fits the profile I want. As a very picky and discerning knife buyer, however, I am wary to spend so much money on a knife with blade steel I essentially know nothing about. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 
It's AUS8 for the core and 420J2 on the outside for the laminates. Pretty good stuff, but nothing special to be paying a premium price for. I happen to like AUS8. Not nearly as much as I like BG42 though.
 
Interesting. While I am not adverse to paying 200 bucks for a production fixed blade, that does make me wonder. I had always considered AUS8 to be the "production steel", cheap, but good enough to please most people. By far the vast majority of my knives are ATS-34. I have noticed that the edge quality is far superior with this than AUS8, or other "real" stainless steels. Of course those opinions have nothing to do with me making knives, just from using them, and if no one liked AUS, it would not be made anymore. The only downside to ATS that I have found is its tendency to surface rust from time to time. Now this is my opinion: It seems like overkill to make a laminated blade like this. I have never had a fixed blade bend or break. Especially one that is 3/16 or 1/4 inch thick. Why do you suppose that Cold Steel would go through the expense and trouble of procuring a "premium" laminated blade steel, with really just an average core metal? Especially considering that aside from using a blade as a prybar, who would break or significantly bend it? Now I am wondering if I should shop around for something else that fits my criteria for this knife.
 
Hey, it's not an average core steel(if you believe their overhyped advertising). ;)
 
Don't spend your money on a Cold Steel Tanto. Contact David Dempsey at www.dempseyknives.com and let him make you a custom tanto. You're much better off spending a little extra for a custom blade rather than on a slightly over-hyped production model.
 
Well that's kind of stupid isn't it? I thought the purpose of this tpe of laminate steel was to surround a good carbon steel at a high RC within two softer stainless layers for protection.

Why laminate stainless with stainless?
 
Actually 420J2 probably is pretty tough. But, it certainly won't take and hold an edge. I think Cold Steel should make this knife with a VG10 core. That would be pretty good.
 
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