which type of steel will work best in extreme cold weather?

that thing is awesome! it has everything! but is it too small for like a 7" blade? definitely going to look into hollow grinds, think it's the best skinner type anyway, maybe its the other way around though lol, either way I'm willing to sit in front of a sharpener for hours if need be.

just found this similar thread! http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/885604-A-good-winter-survival-knife

seems to be a good read so far.
 
I'm in Minnesota. The last two weeks, we've been colder than the Arctic. I've never had a problem with any knife steel in bitterly cold weather. That said, you might want to look at Scandinavian blades, as they are used in cold climates. I like the Finnish pukkos and also Marttinni knives with a rubber grip. For that matter, my Buck Vanguard, rubber grip and 420HC steel, has been great.

Joe
 
Steel gets funny a low temperatures as the Germans found out at Stalingrad. You need a Titanium knife. Mission makes several models. The cold crack resistance of Ti is much greater than steel at sub zero temps. Titanium also has much more resistance to snapping and chipping at normal temperatures. Boker also offered knives with Titanium blades.
 
tomwilson77 said:
that thing is awesome! it has everything! but is it too small for like a 7" blade? definitely going to look into hollow grinds, think it's the best skinner type anyway, maybe its the other way around though lol, either way I'm willing to sit in front of a sharpener for hours if need be.

just found this similar thread! http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/885604-A-good-winter-survival-knife

seems to be a good read so far.
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Not too small. I just sharpened a big ass kitchen knife with no problem. Did a paper test and it went through like butter. Its a great tool.
 
The difficulty with maraging steel is that it doesn't hold an edge, it gives up hardness for low temperature toughness. My opinion is that it would be better for other types of tools. Titanium knives are a little pricey. Do you want a dedicated knife for use below say -20 F? Or are you more interested in a knife for a wider temperature range?
 
in a rush out my door right now but a thought just came to mind, what kind of steel are hockey skates made of? lol
 
mete said:
I had thought of maraging steel too but my experience was a long time ago .And we never used it in the cold ! They have many types now even a stainless one. They do make fencing swords with it but that's a different thing. Of course in extreme conditions you would sacrifice things like hardness for toughness .I was hoping someone had actual usage at very low temps.

I don't understand why anyone thinks 3V is hard to sharpen .First it hold an edge very well and if diamond is used it's easy to sharpen !!
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Totally gonna try maraging as knife steel next year. As it is almost mythical beast, and I need to try to check it out and be able to say something more than assumptions (as in my previous post) :D

And when it comes to 3V and other modern high toughness steels - those also weren't designed to low temp. Looking at carbon content, they may have high brittle point (but I am not sure, I am not good enough at it, maybe carbides "eat up" carbon and martensite is quite "relaxed").
 
The maraging alloys don't operate on carbon iron martensite but iron nickel martensite The Fe-Ni is not as brittle .In addition there are various precipitates adding to the strength and hardness.I'm not experienced with newer maraging alloys. The Ti alloys have three phases alpha, beta and martensite depending on the specific alloy. The martensitic alloys are harder but again that martensite is not as brittle as Fe-C martensite .Have to do some research !
 
I'll tell you this, I've been filing down my Gransfors Bruks hunters axe all day because it had a huge chip (an inch of cutting edge gone) from my last winter camping trip here in Manitoba, temperatures were -40 before wind chill, about -50 or more with. (Yes, I am crazy.) Metal breaks at these extremes.The axe broke at the bottom of the edge, where it was thinnest. I think edge geometry and blade thinness have alot to do with cold breakage. I would also worry about anything but a full tang. Use my fallkniven a1 out here in the winter, as a chopper of branches, kindling ect, no problems yet, and it gets alot colder here than in Sweden!
 
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INFI is the steel you need for surviving in hell... let alone the very cold weather :D
 
Where i live is at least -20 6 months a year and i own all types of knives. If its going to be hard use knife then i suggest something tough, beyond that you should be more specific. How long do you plan on going between sharpening, your new by the sounds so i would learn to sharpen easier steels like 1095 which wont be hard at all even for a new user. If sharpening isnt something you want to pick up look at something with good edge retention because i know from experience NOBODY would go out in -40 without someone who knows their way around guns, a knife or two and basic mech repair skills. Its just something you acquire with time in the bush or any remote places like i live or you describe. Sounds to me like you will have plenty of time on your hands at night to learn sharpening skills and much more to stave of cabin fever. If i was you i would get some easy sharpening blades to work with while your new and a couple harder to sharpen steels with better edge retention you can work on after you lvl up your skills a bit. Just my opinion you will probably want a few blades that fit a few different bills! One things for sure will show up there a blade rookie and leave a sharpening pro if you make it a hobby in your free time! 1095 is a great initial blade and i would get a cts xhp and 3v as well especially xhp nice stainless qualities but sharpens very easily imho . I highly favor all these steels, well cpm m4 is my favorite but thats because i enjoy caring for my blades no matter how hard i work them.Just cause your gonna be in a harsh environment doesnt mean you cant have fun with it. When your down and out in tough location your life probably wont be riding on what steel your knife is made of but much more of dressing with propper amount of layers and moister management! Good luck buddy
 
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tiguy7 said:
Steel gets funny a low temperatures as the Germans found out at Stalingrad. You need a Titanium knife. Mission makes several models. The cold crack resistance of Ti is much greater than steel at sub zero temps. Titanium also has much more resistance to snapping and chipping at normal temperatures. Boker also offered knives with Titanium blades.
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One of the many reasons titanium alloys are so perfect for critical parts and structures on aircraft and spacecraft! Really strong at high temperatures as well.

Hmmmm, a beta ti puukko sounds like it should be a thing.

Otherwise, I'm from the Florida Keys so I know little of this "bitter cold" of which you speak! :D
 
It has probably been said already, but in super cold you want a hidden tang knife, because a full tang draws heat from your gloved hand. Traditional Scandinavian designs have stick tangs and fat handles that provide good purchase whether gloved or not.

Edited to add: I just realized that this was a zombie thread from 2014. Hope the OP got a knife he likes and no frostbite. Looked for the funny snark "Cold Steel" reply and was not disappointed.
 
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I will second the no exposed metal sentiment and also mention good sheath retention, it's very hard to find a knife in the snow!
 
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