Which O-1 to use?

K

KLOW

Joined
Nov 17, 2005
Messages
35
Greetings, if you were going to have a knife made of O-1 and the knifemaker offered you the choice of either Starrett O-1 (made in Massachusettes)or Badger O-1 (made in wauseon, Ohio) assuming the heat treat is identical, which would you choose and why?

Here are the specs on both:

Starrett O-1 Badger O-1
Nominal Analysis (AISI 01): Typical analysis:
Carbon - .90 Carbon - .94
Chromium - .50 Silicon - .30
Manganese - 1.20 manganese - 1.20
Tungsten - .50 Tungsten - .50
Vanadium - .20 Chromium - .50
 
Those companies don't make the steel.There isn't significant difference to worry about...I assume you're buying precision ground and are making the blade by stock removal .
 
Actually it's going to be forged. Pardon my ignorance, but does it make a significant difference?
 
I use Starrett, but only because I get my 01 from ENCO cheaper than other places I have checked. Can't see how it could be that different, one from another, all things being relatively equal.
 
I never get Badger. It doesn't have Vanadium in it. If I gotta pay the same, I want something that could affect performance to be included. I usually get Precision - Marshall FWIW.
 
If your going to forge then buying precision ground is wasted money. Whatever you choose learn to handle that specific one and stick to that brand.
 
ssunfish, thanks for the info. I did not know Badger does not include vanadium. PM, is my second choice anyway, when I cannot get the size I want in Starrett.
 
Hi Mete, do you have a source for mill finished O-1? I have been looking for non ground O-1 ever since I got interested in making my own knife! Thanks in advance! :) Oh I forgot, I have seen it in the round, but not in bar form for stock removal.
 
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