whats the difference

B

bucsfan

Joined
Jun 3, 2007
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What is the difference in the 5160 steel for a ranger rd9 and the s7 steel. Which is better?
 
I'm sure some actual experts will help you out, but to start 5160 is a spring steel and S7 is shock steel made for impacts. They both have good reputations. They'd both be hard to damage, but if you could S7 would break and 5160 would roll, I think. 5160 should be easier to sharpen.

Since the Rangers don't come in S7, if you like them you'll have to get it in 5160. I don't think you can go wrong there; I'm waiting for an RD6 myself.
 
Justin will make your Ranger in S7 if you like

Both steels would be hard to damage in all but SURVIVAL use...and then it would still take some effort

You can not go wrong either way
 
Justin will make you a customs at a very reasonable price!! You really can't go wrong with either steel.
 
:thumbup: Both good steels for beating on. Scrapyard uses a modified S7 named SR-77; you might want to check that steel out as well. Of course, there's always INFI, if you can't decide.;)
 
Troop said:
Scrapyard uses a modified S7 named SR-77; you might want to check that steel out as well. Of course, there's always INFI, if you can't decide.
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I was under the impression that their sr-77 steel is actually S7 with a inhouse heat treatment, calling it the sr-77. Same with the sr-101 which is 52100?


As to the RDs in S7 steel, it's what Ranger Knives are offered in as a alternative to 5160 for applications requiring higher toughness(if I remember correctly). The option has been readily available in the past.
 
PatriotDan said:
I was under the impression that their sr-77 steel is actually S7 with a inhouse heat treatment, calling it the sr-77. Same with the sr-101 which is 52100?


As to the RDs in S7 steel, it's what Ranger Knives are offered in as a alternative to 5160 for applications requiring higher toughness(if I remember correctly). The option has been readily available in the past.
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You may be right about the SR-77, but SR-101 is supposed to have a "secret ingredient" in it, according to Jerry Busse. ("Kryptonite")
 
Troop said:
You may be right about the SR-77, but SR-101 is supposed to have a "secret ingredient" in it, according to Jerry Busse. ("Kryptonite")
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Can you give a link? I've seen people refer to it as "like having kryptonite". Not really having anything extra. Although knowing INFI, that extra element is not entirely impossible I guess.

(I've seen multiple threads that say along these lines:
SR-101 steel is the combination of 52100 and a proprietary multi-step tempering protocol. This process includes the incorporation of a deep cryogenic treatment for grain refinement with the added benefits of differential tempering which add greatly to the overall toughness and strength...)
 
PatriotDan said:
Can you give a link? I've seen people refer to it as "like having kryptonite". Not really having anything extra. Although knowing INFI, that extra element is not entirely impossible I guess.

(I've seen multiple threads that say along these lines:
SR-101 steel is the combination of 52100 and a proprietary multi-step tempering protocol. This process includes the incorporation of a deep cryogenic treatment for grain refinement with the added benefits of differential tempering which add greatly to the overall toughness and strength...)
Click to expand...
I saw the article in a knife magazine, I don't think it was Blade, it was probably Knives Illustrated, a couple of months back. I'll search around for the magazine, and let you know. If anyone remembers that article, please help me out.
- Thanks
 
PatriotDan said:
Can you give a link? I've seen people refer to it as "like having kryptonite". Not really having anything extra. Although knowing INFI, that extra element is not entirely impossible I guess.

(I've seen multiple threads that say along these lines:
SR-101 steel is the combination of 52100 and a proprietary multi-step tempering protocol. This process includes the incorporation of a deep cryogenic treatment for grain refinement with the added benefits of differential tempering which add greatly to the overall toughness and strength...)
Click to expand...
O.K., I found the article....Blade Magazine, June 2007 issue, page 32..."...All the blades (Swamp Rat) feature flat grinds. The steel is SR-101, which Jerry characterized "as 52100 with added kryptonite."
That to me infers some ingredient added to 52100, unless I'm just reading too much into it. Please let me know if I'm wrong, because this is important stuff.
- Thanks
 
Here's the description from the SwampRat Store site:

"SR101-- (a variation of 52100) is the combination of an extremely fine-grained tool steel and a proprietary multi-step tempering protocol. This process includes the incorporation of a deep cryogenic treatment for grain refinement (and in some knives) differential tempering which adds greatly to the overall toughness and strength."

I think Jerry's description was meant metaphorically, not intending to imply that there was any additional ingredients. At least that was my read. The quote seems to support that.
 
XMP said:
Here's the description from the SwampRat Store site:

"SR101-- (a variation of 52100) is the combination of an extremely fine-grained tool steel and a proprietary multi-step tempering protocol. This process includes the incorporation of a deep cryogenic treatment for grain refinement (and in some knives) differential tempering which adds greatly to the overall toughness and strength."

I think Jerry's description was meant metaphorically, not intending to imply that there was any additional ingredients. At least that was my read. The quote seems to support that.
Click to expand...
So SR-101 is 52100 with an outstanding heat treat? Not to downplay the steel, because I love it, but, is that all it is???:confused:
 
so the s7 is the tougher metal for the ranger? also does it hold a edge better and is it easy to sharpen. Also where would d2 steel rank compared to the s7
 
bucsfan said:
so the s7 is the tougher metal for the ranger? also does it hold a edge better and is it easy to sharpen. Also where would d2 steel rank compared to the s7
Click to expand...
D2 is not supposed to be good as a chopper; great for a slicer though.
 
Bucsfan,
Listen, I am no expert, but I am going to over-generalize a point to illustrate something to you...it might clear things up a little for you.
There are two main catagories of knives....(1) choppers, and (2) slicers. Some steels are better for chopping; some better for slicing. And then, the heat treat and blade/ edge geometry comes into play. The big question always is, "For what purpose do you want the knife for?" Get very specific about what the use of the knife is going to be. Also, the environment that you'll be using the knife in is important, too, especially if you're going to be around salt water a lot, or in a hot, steamy jungle. In a survival type situation?,... military situation? Or, just hanging around with the guys near the hunting lodge? Get clear on the use before you start deciding on blade steel.
 
bucsfan said:
so the s7 is the tougher metal for the ranger? also does it hold a edge better and is it easy to sharpen. Also where would d2 steel rank compared to the s7
Click to expand...

I'm certainly no expert on steels but I remember Justin saying to me that if I wanted a RD that I would be chopping, batoning, digging, hammering and prying with I'd be better served with S7. For more normal bushcraft type of work 5160 would be very good and much cheaper. And that S7 is indeed tougher but dulls easier so you'll be sharpening it more.

I'm a little uncomfortable repeating what "Justin said to me" as I may remember incorrectly but that's how I remember it.

Still speculating here but D2 might be little on the brittle side for camp type knife or so I've understood. 5160 and S7 I believe are better choices unless D2's better corrosion resistance is needed.
 
Its going to be used for chopping and prob prying for camping. Ive got a fixed blade hen and rooster that Im gonna put a really good edge on so ill have a really sharp knife as well.
 
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