What makes carbon steel better than stainless for a fixed blade/chopper ?

[bt93]

I should apologize as I realize I came off disparaging 1095. The fact is it does require more maintenance than stainless. I used to be very pro 1095 and always worked to keep my blades shiny. Hated patina or anything that hinted at rust. 1095 is a great steal. Myself, I've come to appreciate stainless as I don't need to spend so much time maintaining it. I sharpen my knives enough to cut the hair on my arm, I don't worry about getting them shaving sharp so I do fine with stainless. Dollar for dollar though, 1095 is hard to beat.

 

[Wolverine666]

Stabman and craytab thanks. Ive been swimming in a sea of S30V with my folders for so long that I got a hankering for a carbon steel fixed blade. Just wanted to try something different especially since I've been hitting the deep woods with some friends this summer. Found one I liked and bought it.

Velitrius , glad to hear of your good experience with 1095. I'm on the coast too.

 

[craytab]

Stabman and craytab thanks. Ive been swimming in a sea of S30V with my folders for so long that I got a hankering for a carbon steel fixed blade. Just wanted to try something different especially since I've been hitting the deep woods with some friends this summer. Found one I liked and bought it.

Velitrius , glad to hear of your good experience with 1095. I'm on the coast too.

What did you get? You might of said but I missed it.

 

[the_Marshall]

I have never had issues with my carbon steel blades, 1095 or otherwise, as long as you maintain them, keep it clean after use, and a little oil on it and your good to go.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Wolverine666]

What did you get? You might of said but I missed it.

I got a TOPS SXB. My buddy had his while we were in the northern wilderness a couple weeks ago and I tried it out. That thing really performed ! Chopping and cutting with the size and weight of the SXB was awesome. I realize that not everyone is fond of the looks of it but I have to admit that absolutely love it. So after using it I decided to get one of my own. I'm thrilled to own it. I'll be using it this weekend

 

[craytab]

I got a TOPS SXB. My buddy had his while we were in the northern wilderness a couple weeks ago and I tried it out. That thing really performed ! Chopping and cutting with the size and weight of the SXB was awesome. I realize that not everyone is fond of the looks of it but I have to admit that absolutely love it. So after using it I decided to get one of my own. I'm thrilled to own it. I'll be using it this weekend

That is a big hunk of 1095!

 

[Wolverine666]

That is a big hunk of 1095!

Yes sir. It's got some heft. Another friend told me today that he was thinking of buying a knife with "01" steel (or "o1"). I think he said it is another carbon steel that performs very well. I've never heard of it so I'll have to google it.

 

[Wolverine666]

Yes sir. It's got some heft. Another friend told me today that he was thinking of buying a knife with "01" steel (or "o1"). I think he said it is another carbon steel that performs very well. I've never heard of it so I'll have to google it.

Its a Treeman Beast fixed blade. With O1 tool steel. Just got the specifics. How does O1 perform compared to 1095 ?

 

[bdmicarta]

When I think about the toughness of carbon steel I think about tools like these. I've used tools like this while working as a mechanic and while working on my house, and I've beat the crap out of them. I've literally beat the crap out of tools like this with hammers, and they keep on working. And I'm sure that the steel used in these tools is rock bottom cheap. I don't take any particular care of them, even up them away with mud on them, and they don't corrode an abnmoral amount but they do build up a patina.

 

[Bill1170]

O1 is a fine carbon steel, known for its ability to take a very keen edge (fine grain) and has good edge stability. A lot of Randalls are made with O1 blades.