- Joined
- Nov 14, 2011
- Messages
- 667
Curious what you guys will say... I assume it may be SR101, SR77, and then...? I've never used the scrap 77 (jack hammer bit) steel so I have no experience. I've also never used CPM 3V which is supposed to be impressive.
INFI is may Favorite by far in all categories followed by:
Speaking only about steels that I have had considerable experience with in the field (and have therefore formed educated opinions on). Assuming a good heat treatment, appropriate edge grind, etc...:
SR101/52100 (love/hate relationship): Pros: This is a TOUGH ARSE KNIFE that I can grind a ridiculously STUPID sharp edge that lasts forever... Con: It oxidizes faster than the speed of light, uncoated SR101 will literally rust within minutes of touching acidic substances....so much that I make sure to always pack an oil soaked rag with me in the field to immediately wipe it if I have time. Not a big deal, I learned a long time ago to take care of my blades as I love them so very much. Also, it is harder to field sharpen...also not that big of a deal.
So, what's my next favorite...remember, the category is HARD USE Large Knife (i.e., not a machete) for choppin and whackin and such...For me it it has to be:
A2 Steel: My personal favorite after INFI and SR101. Excellent steel that has proven itself to me to be pretty darn tough, gets wicked sharp, holds it's edge well and relatively easy to sharpen. It will also oxidize quickly (like all C-steels), but in my experience not as fast as 52100/SR101. I really enjoy this steel in the field and have used it alot.
Honorable mentions:
Carbon V: I bought a bunch of unfinished blanks of this to make knives (put handles and grind the edge) and have been VERY surprised with how tough this stuff seems to be. My experience with it is pretty limited, but man I like what I've used thus far.
5160 and 1095 are tied for me: 5160 is very tough spring steel...but I would limit it to VERY large knives... and will take a nice edge (also easy to sharpen)...but looses it's sharpness a little too fast for me. I've been very impressed with good ol 1095 as well...especially ESEE heat treated (which seems to preform close to A2)...boring steel but very functional I must say, get's sharp, is easy to resharpen, and can be pretty darn tough (HT dependent of course). ESEE (always) and Ontario (less consistent) have convinced me that 1095 still has a solid place in this category.
D2: only have experience with this steel with one knife (Outcast that I reground into a thinner convex), but it seems to be holding up fine after a several episodes of choppin small trees...not as chippy as many have experienced.
Again, this is only based on my personal experiences as I have not used a lot of the steels out there in a large knife format. I would really like to try M4, 3V, and O1 for comparison.
So, what is your favorite steel after INFI and SR101 for a large hard use knife? Second question...what was the primary steel that Busse used before INFI? I know that he used A2 and
D2, but what was used the most?
INFI is may Favorite by far in all categories followed by:
Speaking only about steels that I have had considerable experience with in the field (and have therefore formed educated opinions on). Assuming a good heat treatment, appropriate edge grind, etc...:
SR101/52100 (love/hate relationship): Pros: This is a TOUGH ARSE KNIFE that I can grind a ridiculously STUPID sharp edge that lasts forever... Con: It oxidizes faster than the speed of light, uncoated SR101 will literally rust within minutes of touching acidic substances....so much that I make sure to always pack an oil soaked rag with me in the field to immediately wipe it if I have time. Not a big deal, I learned a long time ago to take care of my blades as I love them so very much. Also, it is harder to field sharpen...also not that big of a deal.
So, what's my next favorite...remember, the category is HARD USE Large Knife (i.e., not a machete) for choppin and whackin and such...For me it it has to be:
A2 Steel: My personal favorite after INFI and SR101. Excellent steel that has proven itself to me to be pretty darn tough, gets wicked sharp, holds it's edge well and relatively easy to sharpen. It will also oxidize quickly (like all C-steels), but in my experience not as fast as 52100/SR101. I really enjoy this steel in the field and have used it alot.
Honorable mentions:
Carbon V: I bought a bunch of unfinished blanks of this to make knives (put handles and grind the edge) and have been VERY surprised with how tough this stuff seems to be. My experience with it is pretty limited, but man I like what I've used thus far.
5160 and 1095 are tied for me: 5160 is very tough spring steel...but I would limit it to VERY large knives... and will take a nice edge (also easy to sharpen)...but looses it's sharpness a little too fast for me. I've been very impressed with good ol 1095 as well...especially ESEE heat treated (which seems to preform close to A2)...boring steel but very functional I must say, get's sharp, is easy to resharpen, and can be pretty darn tough (HT dependent of course). ESEE (always) and Ontario (less consistent) have convinced me that 1095 still has a solid place in this category.
D2: only have experience with this steel with one knife (Outcast that I reground into a thinner convex), but it seems to be holding up fine after a several episodes of choppin small trees...not as chippy as many have experienced.
Again, this is only based on my personal experiences as I have not used a lot of the steels out there in a large knife format. I would really like to try M4, 3V, and O1 for comparison.
So, what is your favorite steel after INFI and SR101 for a large hard use knife? Second question...what was the primary steel that Busse used before INFI? I know that he used A2 and
D2, but what was used the most?
followed closely by ESEE/Rowen's take on 1095.
