Which steel?

[mathman]

OK...I'm new to the forum and have read lots of good stuff in the forum archives about different types of steel. It seems that there is no such thing as the 'best' steel. I have a knife made of S30V and am not real impressed with how brittle it is in terms of 'chipping' on the blade (perhaps it is just a new steel and more needs to be learned about it).

So, which steel is toughest? Or, is there such a thing? If I am not in a high rust risk situation, are the non-stainless knives better?

Please help! (And don't laugh at me...we all have our strengths and weaknesses...knife steels is something I don't know much about...but I think I could get addicted quickly!)

 

[SilverFoxKnows]

will, generally, be tougher. I have experience with 1095 and 5160 (in fixed blades). Both are plenty tough. They wont hold and edge like M2 but they will take a beating. They hold an edge fairly well, sharpen up without much trouble and, unless you live in a very humid place, aren't hard to keep from rusting.

Was this a folder or fixed blade? In folders stainless offerings far outnumber carbon steel. Maybe a "lesser" steel like AUS8 would eliminate chipping (at the expense of some edge holding). Good luck.

Frank

 

[Blop]

What did you do with the knife that the edge chipps constantly? What were you cutting?

Or, what does chipping mean to you?

Are you sure not to talk about a wire edge?

Did you do a resharpening of the edge, to see if the problem remains?

Will you send the knife back to Aeromedix and see, if a replacement (so it will be replaced) will solve your problem?

There are tougher steel grades as mentioned above. But i would choose a real tough steel for large blades, not for folders. There are many stainless / high alloyed which can handle a lot of tasks.

As long it is just the edge, there is a solution in the stainless / high alloyed region. Just wait for Aeromedix.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

So, which steel is toughest?

There are steels designed for extreme toughness like S5 and S7, these are used in jackhammer bits.

If I am not in a high rust risk situation, are the non-stainless knives better?

Yes.

Before you write off S30V there are a few things you should try, first among them is a full sharpening to remove all weakened metal. Make sure that the edge shaves cleanly on both sides when you are done and if it doesn't then don't strop to remove it, but cut it off as Jeff Clark has described.

-Cliff