what steel should i use

kalama

kalama

Joined
Feb 27, 2008
Messages
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looking to get custom boning knife,from a reputable maker on this site,steel choices i can pick from are A2,D2,anO1....blade lenth will be 4-3/4",an thickness is 3/32",,,what are your opinions on the steel choices,,im not worried about rust or patinas,just performance,,,i have used all three types of steel an like them all,,,,sharpest knife i ever owned was O1,toughest was A2,an best edge holding was D2,,,a boner should be sharp so im leaning to O1,,,but i could use more input.
 
I also been using a custom made with cpm 3v which I like,the maker said he could do a fillet/boner with the 3v,,so what 4 steels would you choose
 
3V will be tougher and hold its edge better depending on hardness, though it won't hold its razor sharpness too long as usual with CPM powder steels(except perhaps CPM-154) but will keep a toothy working edge. Not sure how you'd improve upon that though. With bone I figure toughness and wear resistance would be on the top of your list, unless perhaps you can find a Bohler equivalent of CPM-3V, which I have yet to see(in theory, the finer grain structure should mean better toughness and a longer lasting razor edge). Maybe Elmax? I did recall Chuck Bybee saying a maker bent his blade to a 90 degree angle without breaking it. I personally can't attest to that myself as I don't do much abusive use with my knives. I suppose I could cut a few chicken bones with an Elmax blade to see if it does anything to it. Would your concern with the steel be chipping?
 
I would pick A2. Better edge holding than O1, easier to sharpen than D2, and gets very sharp.
 
They are all good IMO. I'd lean toward the 3V. It's a great all around steel. Better wear than even D2. Tougher than A2. Gets very sharp, and doesn't rust as easily as O-1. It's a can't miss choice though if they all get good heat treats.
 
not worried about chipping,knife would be used to process animals an meat...after 20+years of butchering with my Forschner ,dexters,victorinox,an f.dick i would like to try a custom(just to answer a P.M why use a custom)
 
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