I have a kitchen knife (Japanese type chiefs knife.) that was made in the U.S. by Simco in the 1920's or earlier which makes it now over 100 years old. The blade is not stainless and did turn blue black after cutting onions. I am wondering what kind of steel this knife was made of as I do not think such things as D2 steel even existed back in 1920 so therefore I do not know what kind of steel kitchen knives were generally made of before the big switch over to stainless steels starting after the year 1900.
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Who can answer this unusual question???
- Thread starter bhp9
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afishhunter
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More than likely 1095.
1095 has been used in cutlery for well over 300 years and counting.
It is a good steel, don't be afraid to use it.
Edited to add:
No doubt D2 and other tool steels such as O1, existed pre-World War 1.
However, no one thought to make knife blades out of it then.
1095 has been used in cutlery for well over 300 years and counting.
It is a good steel, don't be afraid to use it.
Edited to add:
No doubt D2 and other tool steels such as O1, existed pre-World War 1.
However, no one thought to make knife blades out of it then.
Last edited:
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100 years ago my grandfather made kitchen knives from old saw blades.
SIMCO was S.I Moss and Co, they were an industrial restaurant supplier that did business with Wusthof (Trident), Lamson, etc.... I believe the were around the lower east side (112 E. 19th St) of New York for most of their years.
If it is a Japanese Chef knife, I'd be shocked if it wasn't 1970's or later.
Steel most likely is something in the 1095 or 01 class. O1 analogs were more common in Europe from my understanding.
If it is a Japanese Chef knife, I'd be shocked if it wasn't 1970's or later.
Steel most likely is something in the 1095 or 01 class. O1 analogs were more common in Europe from my understanding.
The OP said "I have a kitchen knife (Japanese type chiefs knife.) that was made in the U.S. by Simco in the 1920's or earlier"
I suspect the reference to Japanese Type may be due to the knife not having have a typical European full bolster to the heel, such as this SIMCO chef's knife below.
