What is the best steal for a knife

derrickd803 · Sep 16, 2009

There is no "best steel" IMO

dawsonbob · Sep 16, 2009

Though it almost kills me to do so, I'll be serious for awhile. One of the big problems with your question is that it is poorly phrased: I don't think anyone understands exactly what you're looking for. In my career in the Marine Corps I spent a lot of time in combat, one place and another. There are others on this forum who have also spent time in combat and will probably agree with what I'm going to say. In all my time in combat, I never had to use a knife for self defense, or even offense. I used it to cut open C-Ration boxes, cut line, pry open boxes and a myriad of other things, but never, never, used it in a fight. If the enemy gets that close to you, you're doing it wrong.

I carried a number of different knives during that time, but the one that was used consistently, time after time, was the simple Marine Ka-Bar. Why? Because it works; it's reliable; it's tested; and I got them free back then. Are there better knives today? Yes, there probably are, but, oddly enough, I'd probably still take the Ka-Bar. I think most people who have carried one will tell you the same thing: a Ka-Bar and a good folder are all you need.

Now, if you're talking about a knife strictly to kill with, that might be a little different, although the Ka-Bar serves that function very well, too. Really, we just don't know what your question really is: more information wouldn't hurt.

Jhansenak47 · Sep 16, 2009

I think combat knife is sort of a misnomer. A gladiator would have different needs to troops currently deployed overseas. I say get a kabar. Seems you want to use your knife like a disposable razor. Kabars are common, come reasonably sharp, cheap and aren't particularly hard to replace.

The Government · Sep 16, 2009

I read online that a dull fighting knife was more desirable -so that it would not bind to bones when penetrating. It seemed like an interesting concept. It focused on a large knife as being the primary weapon, like a Kabar and the secondary knife being a razor sharp folder.

This has to do with steel, because if you follow the concept -edge retention is not important. It might make your choice go from 1095, to 1085, or something along those lines. (Maybe even 1055)

Just a thought.

Convex · Sep 16, 2009

I once killed a man with THIS thumb.... :thumbup:

sorry.... couldn't resist.... 2 easy.. :jerkit:

But, in all seriousness..... why do you really want a knife? If you're not concerned with its maintenance or sharpening, it seems destined for a short, violent life that ends in a dumpster somewhere...
And if that's indeed the case... maybe you should get yourself a ball peen hammer..... you won't ever have to worry about sharpening....

winbag338 · Sep 16, 2009

Vg-10 does it all.

archieblue · Sep 17, 2009

It seems to me that this is a loaded question. IMO there are two ways to seriously look at it. There is the "Single Mission" mentality and there is the "In the bush" mentality. The first would benefit form a "Super Steel" that would take plenty of abuse and still be a good cutter... The second would benefit better from a steel that is not next to impossible to sharpen. I would imagine that a properly prepared person would have some sort of sharpening mechanism if not the knowledge to sharpen on any given material that is flat and hard like stone or even angle iron or the like. Personally, I would choose something from the RAT cutlery line... I think they are on the up and up here and the steel they use (1095) is tried and true...

I have had a few (~10) Chris Reeve fixed blades (mostly A2 and a GB-S30V) and I would not think they fit the bill here... more like a "Single Mission" knife... they hold a GREAT edge, but are REALLY difficult to sharpen if let dull even a little bit.

The Government · Sep 17, 2009

whitescar said:
what is the best steal for a combat knife. Just effectiveness in combat. Not sharpening or maintenance or anything like that thanks
:jerkit:whitescar:jerkit:

Why in the world did you add two jerits to your name? It is so confusing it makes me laugh

. Does it mean you are not serious about your own question? LOL Or, you really like to jerkit so much that your name is forever branded with jerkit signs?

LOL, we may never know...

Jason B. · Sep 17, 2009

Anyone else smell troll?

Joshua J. · Sep 17, 2009

Maybe he only checks the forums in the morning?
At least he's not trying to sell something.

Stainz · Sep 17, 2009

The best 'steal' for a folder is the Buck 110 - $27 at WallyWorld. While you are there, checkout the best 'steal' in a fixed blade - the Buck 119 - $34 there!

Stainz

PS Now, had you asked what is the best steel for a knife... that would have been a different can of worms!

GregS · Sep 17, 2009

The Government said:
Why in the world did you add two jerits to your name? It is so confusing it makes me laugh. Does it mean you are not serious about your own question? LOL Or, you really like to jerkit so much that your name is forever branded with jerkit signs?

LOL, we may never know...

That's the impression I got.

knifenut1013 said:
Anyone else smell troll?

I smell it.

In case the OP is serious, another good steal is the Dexter Russel line of filet knives, at 20.00 they are very good.:thumbup:

UpChUcK · Sep 17, 2009

C.S. Graves said:
I see your adamantium, and raise you unobtainium! Now that's ye olde steale!

Joshua J. said:
It's amazing how many variations of Unobtainium there actually are.

[hijack=UpChUcK] UNOBTAINIUM® is used by Oakley sunglasses for nose pads. [/hijack]

To the OP, you will (and have already) get many opinions on the best steel for combat knives. Any steel from 420HC to S30V to O-1 to INFI will make an effective combat steel when properly heat treated. I say concentrate less on the steel and more on the technique and training. A well trained person can kill with a pen or nothing at all. Just my $.02.