What's the difference between SR Knives and Busse?

[greens]

I know SR-101 is tool steel. Is INFI considered tool steel as well, or is it a stainless? I'm asking this in terms of chromium content. I know that a certain amount catagorizes a steel as stainless, I can't remember how much. Also, if INFI is not a stainless, how does it resist rust so well?

Here's what Jerry had to say:

Is INFI stainless?
Not supposed to be. However, INFI has demonstrated very high levels of stain resistance in many different climates. Uncoated blades have been tested for years in Alaska and have made their way into the wilds of British Columbia, the High Sierras and tropical rain forests. No rust in Alaska or British Columbia! No rust in the High Sierras, even when exposed to great quantities of blood and left in the wet grass overnight. The tropical rain forest, which has been known to rust plastic (just kidding), did offer the toughest of the environmental exposures and a light speckling of surface oxidation did occur but was easily removed in the field with a hand rubbing of sand and water. No deep pitting was reported. When compared to other cutlery steels in salt spray tests, INFI faired better than ATS-34 and D-2. Although all three grades exhibited surface oxidation, the INFI was not deeply pitted as was common in these other two grades. So, although INFI is not technically a stainless steel, it is certainly not a rust aggressive steel.

 

[J85909266]

I've read that, but it doesn't really answer my questions.

 

[Troy H]

Those are some pretty good questions, but it seems you're looking for more information than us Rats have. You might try posting this in the Busse forum...I'm sure that there are a couple Hogs over there that have all the specs. :thumbup:

 

[leatherman]

I know SR-101 is tool steel. Is INFI considered tool steel as well, or is it a stainless? I'm asking this in terms of chromium content. I know that a certain amount catagorizes a steel as stainless, I can't remember how much. Also, if INFI is not a stainless, how does it resist rust so well?

I've read that, but it doesn't really answer my questions.[

Well, maybe it means that chromium content isnt the only indicator of rust resistance! Neither INFI nor SR101 is categorized as a stainless steel. And 360 is right, asking a Busse question on the Rat forum aint gonna get you very far.

 

[J85909266]

Well, I'm not really that concerned about it, and this is a thread about the differences between the two. It had been something I wondered about, and I didn't really think it was out of place here. I apologize.

 

[Eric Isaacson]

Well, I'm not really that concerned about it, and this is a thread about the differences between the two. It had been something I wondered about, and I didn't really think it was out of place here. I apologize.

I don't think anyone thinks it is out of place, only that we can't answer it very well. Jerry may be the only one that can answer it effectively. (although I know he lurks here keeping an eye on the competition ) I doubt he'll answer here

I do know that INFI is not considered stainless, but that it is very stain resistant. My guess is that it has something to do with the heat treat but it is only a guess

 

[C. STORR]

Well, when I posted my question, I didn't expect to open up such a can of worms, but at least I didn't open it up with a can opener, rather I reached down to my hips with both hands, pulled up a mean hunk of SR101 in one hand and a hunk of INFI in the other and let the blades fly. There is nothing left of the can, but the info that came out of it is definitely helpful and now I will have to buy one of each when I am able to (swampie first!)

I will stick around the forum for further enlightenment. Thanks guys!

 

[brianNH]

Busse knives seem more readily available and easier to obtain.

 

[Cutshaw]

Funny but also true... lately.

Hopefully that will all change with the Promised La... er... New Line!

 

[greens]

Busse knives seem more readily available and easier to obtain.

Wish that was true. I've been trying to get a second hand SF Natural Outlaw. No luck. Seems people are really holding on to them. Once the hogs get a hold of Infi, they don't let it go and nothing will change that.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Well, maybe it means that chromium content isnt the only indicator of rust resistance!

Generally not, but the difference in chromium content between SR101 and INFI is rather extreme, SR101 is a modified version of 52100, and 52100 has only 1.3-1.6 % chromium, INFI has 8.5%. INFI also has moly and nitrogen, both of which can add to corrosion resistance. INFI also has a lower carbon content, and given similar compositions, corrosion resistance will increase with lower carbon content. INFI is very corrosion resistant for a tool steel, I stopped oiling mine years ago, it shows no patina, compared to steels like O1 and 52100 which can patina so fast you can cut something and watch it form.

-Cliff