What steel sells the best?

Belstain

Belstain

Joined
Sep 17, 1999
Messages
320
What steels seem to sell best for small to medium fixed blades?

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I'm a Schizophrenic and so am I
 
I was just curious as to what steel most customers ask for when ordering a custom knife. I know that design, attention to detail,overall quality of workmanship and customer service are more important than the materials used. I'm just curious.

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I'm a Schizophrenic and so am I
 
Just my take from looking at a lot of custom sites I'd say that 440C and ATS-34 are the big players for stock removal. D2 is probably next with the CPM's and BG-42 in much smaller numbers.

Jack
 
I agree with George. A really crummy knife can be made with the newest steel, but it won't sell because it is crummy quality. A blade with 1095 steel, one of the cheapest and simpliest steels around, can go for a decent price. Steel is very subjective. Some want stainless, some high carbon, some both, some tough steel, others like steel that will hold an edge, but will be brittle/less tough. Every person has a different steel in mind usually. 440C or ATS-34 or 154-CM are standby's that are the most popular. Then there is O-1, A-2, D-2, 1095, 5160, L6, Talonite, Stellite, each has their strength and weakeness. Also, the steel choice depends on the usage. If a person will use a knife for a fillet knife or in a wet area, a stainless blade would be appropriate or a very high polish non stainless one, or even Talonite. If someone is looking for a combat knife, it has to be tough and not be easy to break or bend, so L6 or 5160 would be a good choice as they are very tough, but will rust easily and have a lower carbon content than other steels. A2, is a high carbon steel that is tough and holds an edge very well, and is another alternative for a tough knife.

These are only a few examples. The list goes on and on and on and on, like damascus, high carbon or stainless damascus, Dendritic or CPM steels, etc. Best bet is to go with a proven steel, one stainless, one high carbon, Ie 440C and O-1, and go from there. People want different things and it may be easier in the long run to talk to the customers anf find out what they are looking for in the steel and what they will use it for. Sorry this is so long, hope it helps!!
 
You know, what Taz says is right I'm sure, that people want different steels for different purposes. But I'm willing to bet that Joe OfficeGuy just wants what sounds cool since all he'll ever be doing with the knife is opening boxes. I mean, all these steels will cut and hold an edge (OK maybe not forever) some are stainless whatever. I'm just thinking that people make a fetish out of the latest and greatest when in most cases just about any old carbonaceous stainless steel would do.

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Peter Atwood

email:fountainman@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by fountainman (edited 01-14-2001).]
 
I'm not asking what steels are the best for any certain use I just wanted to know what the average knife buyer would ask for. Not any of us techno-weenies here on bladeforums but all the rest of the knife buying public. What is "Joe OfficeGuy" going to want?

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I'm a Schizophrenic and so am I

[This message has been edited by Belstain (edited 01-14-2001).]
 
Belstain,
What I have seen is most true knife users buy carbon steel blades and collectors buy stainless.Dave
 
It's very likely that "Joe Office Guy" has no idea what he wants as far as the steel is concerned. He is more likely to want something that will make his friends go OOOOOHHHHHH!, AAAHHHHHH!
The best answer I can offer is to find the steel(s) that offer the qualities that you as the maker want in your knives, become an expert on those steels, and then use that as one of your trade marks. I remember when I was first getting started, I had the same question, what floored me was when the gentleman who was teaching me said...."You tell them what they want, because now YOU are the expert."

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Ed Caffrey "The Montana Bladesmith"
ABS Mastersmith
www.caffreyknives.com
 
george ats-34 is the most popular its 10 to 1 over 440c. thats a quote from D.holder. i use both and i find as a stock removal maker that ats-34 is the most asked for, and thats for working knives not collector piece's

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Laurence Segal www.RHINOKNIVES.com
 
ATS-34 and 440C are old technology. BG-42 and the CPM alloys are now on the cutting edge. The performance, metallurgical and quality benefits are well documented for these new alloys, IMHO.
I think it's a question of this: Do you want to drive the bus or be a passenger. I prefer to set the standard by providing my customers with materials that I know are superior, and, letting them find out for themselves that I am correct.

RJ Martin
 
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