What is your experience with 01 as a bushcraft knife?

[Bolt-action bultema]

To me, O1 seem like 1095, but slightly better. Slightly better edge retention, slightly better rust resistance, slightly easier to keep sharp. Its a great steel in my book; perfect for any reasonable outdoor task.

 

[Gossman Knives]

So I guess the general concensus is that it's a great steel? How long does it stay sharp (able to at least cut paper) after a day in the woods with you guys? I do some light chipping on 1/2" or so saplings if need be but that's about it. Shaving sticks, cutting vines and prickers stuff like that. How's it hold up when hit on a rock or sand or something?

It depends on what you are cutting. Most cutting tasks in the woods are not hard on an edge. Fiberous materials such as rope, cardboard are what dull a knife faster then what you will be cutting in the field. If done right, O1 holds an edge very well. Alot depends on grind/edge geometry and heat treat. You hit a rock or sand/dirt, the edge on any steel used will damage.
As far as chipping/rolling with normal use, it should not happen.
Scott

 

[Mannlicher]

I have 'outdoors' knives in O1, A2, D2, 1095, 52100, 1075, and other carbon steels. I don't have any issues with any of them, when used as they should be.

 

[zhangmaster12]

Your knife will be fine. Even if you hit sand or dirt, the edge wont be unusable, ive tested it, smashing my 01 knife into the ground.

Dont be afraid to wail on it, it will take the use.

 

[udtjim]

There is something besides 01?? OH yeah, 1095.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I love 01 so far, it's held up great and sharpens easy.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

What about the maple burl handles? How do they fair in the elements? If treated with linseed oil and car wax should they fair well?

 

[LSkylizard]

....0-1 is precision ground unless you're lucky enough to stumble across some mill bar....

can you expand on this? That is to say, is mill bar a purchaseable form? etc...?

 

[boness]

I like 01 steel on my knives also A2

 

[Fletcher Knives]

That wood will hold up just fine. If you get worried, soak the whole knife in mineral oil over night, wipe it off in the morning and you should be good to go. It's good for every part of the knife and it's something you should do once in a blue moon, not regularly. As for the O1, I grind with O1 and 1095. I prefer O1. I thinks it's a slightly better steel for several of the reasons already mentioned.