Which steels would be best suited for a Dagger

J

JJaggar

Joined
Jan 15, 2015
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I am speaking with a maker about doing a Dagger and I would like to discuss which steels would be best suited for a Dagger? I know the vintage Gerber Mark II's were made with L6 steel I'd like to know more about L6. I'm thinking of the tool steels L6, A2, O1, maybe CPM 154.
 
I like using files for daggers.

 
I could be completely wrong but I would think that for a dagger toughness and strength would be the most important things to look for in a steel so L6 would probably be an excellent choice.
 
Well, I do a whole lot of stabbing, so edge retention is of utmost importance to me.

If one only uses their dagger for its intended purpose infrequently, I'd argue that its steel really doesn't matter that much.
 
A dagger in 3V would be cool.

Lot's of toughness for all of your stabbing needs.....
 
Out of the steels you listed, I would pick the A2 or O1. My preference would be 1095 first, then D2.
CM that dagger looks sweet :D
 
marcinek said:
Well, I do a whole lot of stabbing, so edge retention is of utmost importance to me.

If one only uses their dagger for its intended purpose infrequently, I'd argue that its steel really doesn't matter that much.
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Bingo. For most people, civilian or otherwise, it's infrequent. Any steel will suffice.
 
CM that is such a sweet dagger! And yes I do agree with you all that any steel would suffice for its intended purpose, thing is the steels I own are S30V, S35VN, and D2, and I would like to branch out and since I'm paying for a quality blade being made with me being able to choose a certain steel I think I'd like to try L6
 
anything but steel:

bamboo
be78b9d7.jpg


some unknown wood
il_340x270.435077580_4ppt.jpg


koa wood
WBD-4.jpg


buffalo horn palm stick
horn_full__71517.1288193324.1280.1280.jpg


a cup you can stab with (bet none of you thought of that)
SiouxBuffaloHornCup.jpg
 
JJaggar said:
CM that is such a sweet dagger! And yes I do agree with you all that any steel would suffice for its intended purpose, thing is the steels I own are S30V, S35VN, and D2, and I would like to branch out and since I'm paying for a quality blade being made with me being able to choose a certain steel I think I'd like to try L6
Click to expand...

Then why not have it in s30v ? .
 
R.C.S. I ran across that model on KC'S site last week and got super excited, so excited. ..til I saw it had that dang inch of serrations on one side of the tip...ugh just ruined it for me
 
Something that's good with blood. With all the stabbing, you really want a blood proof blade.
 
marcinek said:
Well, I do a whole lot of stabbing, so edge retention is of utmost importance to me.

If one only uses their dagger for its intended purpose infrequently, I'd argue that its steel really doesn't matter that much.
Click to expand...

It's called being prepared. ;)
 
It's so easy to come here and rattle off a list of so-called super steels...

I've found the best steel for true daggers to be 154CM by far. Maybe D-2 if you have something against 154.
 
I don't own any knives in 154CM though I've been very interested in it. A CQC7 is on my list this year. Of course I search the interwebs and read about the various types of steels, alot of it is technical which is very interesting but I am interested more in hearing/reading about people's personal experiences with certain steel and specific knife types. I'm fairly new in this whole wonderful world of knives so please pardon my ignorance :-)
 
marcinek said:
Well, I do a whole lot of stabbing, so edge retention is of utmost importance to me.

If one only uses their dagger for its intended purpose infrequently, I'd argue that its steel really doesn't matter that much.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this statement.

But to try and be productive, I think you're looking at a variable that's WAY down on the list of importance. Steel won't make a lot of difference in a dagger. What you should be focused on is blade and handle shape. A dagger in 3v or M4 COULD be awesome, unless you grind it like a filet knife or design a handle that tapers in toward the blade with no guards. Whereas 440a blows, but if it's a thick, narrow blade with a slight swell at the tip and an ergonomic, tacky handle with solid guards or choils you could still slay a whole platoon of roaming mall ninjas without breaking a sweat.

It should probably at least be stainless. Tetnis isn't very 007ish.
 
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