why 1095?

To get better performance than 1095, you are going to pay a LOT more money for it. I don't think that the increase in performance VS the increase in cost to beat 1095 is a worthwhile trade in most cases. I would take one of my 1095 knives any place at any time with no hesitation. I have NO problems with rust on my 1095 knives and I don't baby them at all. They get a wipe down after use and then they are put away. Occasionally I'll check them out and wipe them down again if I haven't used them for an extended period of time.
 
cramsey3006 said:
To get better performance than 1095, you are going to pay a LOT more money for it. I don't think that the increase in performance VS the increase in cost to beat 1095 is a worthwhile trade in most cases. I would take one of my 1095 knives any place at any time with no hesitation. I have NO problems with rust on my 1095 knives and I don't baby them at all. They get a wipe down after use and then they are put away. Occasionally I'll check them out and wipe them down again if I haven't used them for an extended period of time.
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You know, that's quite an interesting statement! I wonder how true that is, "To get better performance than <insert blade steel here>, you are going to pay a LOT more money for it." for other steels? What about, say, AUS-8? Or 440C? Or even going up to 154CM? We know 1095 is the gold standard for hard-use, affordable blades, especially in the larger and outdoor lines, but what about with folders where most people prefer SS? Hmmm, interesting concept!

Sorry for threadjacking, just thought it was interesting!
 
If you can, get a couple, a 1095 and stainless steel- vg10, cpm154, etc, use accordingly depending on which climate you're going to be in for prolonged periods of time, if you know in advance. 1095 is good for general hard use and is easy to sharpen, plus the purchase price still leaves your wallet feeling a little heavy.

Not too fond of the black thick coating found on most 1095 blades, would rather strip her and force patina.
 
Sulaco said:
You know, that's quite an interesting statement! I wonder how true that is, "To get better performance than <insert blade steel here>, you are going to pay a LOT more money for it." for other steels? What about, say, AUS-8? Or 440C? Or even going up to 154CM? We know 1095 is the gold standard for hard-use, affordable blades, especially in the larger and outdoor lines, but what about with folders where most people prefer SS? Hmmm, interesting concept!

Sorry for threadjacking, just thought it was interesting!
Click to expand...

It comes down to material cost really.. I have a supply catalog for bar stock. Here's some comparisons.

An 18" bar of 3/16" x 1.5".

Carbon steel

1095 - $8.95
D2 - $41.95
O1 - $17.95
A2 - $23.93

Even the 2nd cheapest is nearly twice the cost of 1095.

Stainless

440C - $22.95
154CM - $41.95
CPM154 - $46.95
CPM S30V - $51.95
CPMS 35VN - $43.95 (only 5/32")
CPMS 90V - $44.95 (only 5/32")
BG42 - $59.95 (5/32")
Cowry X - $140.00 (12" long)
Cowry Y - $130.00 (12" long)

The cheapest stainless is more than 2 times the cost of 1095.

When you factor in the increased machining costs for the "super" steels, you can see why blades from those steels are so much more expensive.

A lot of people give Kershaw grief because thier D2 Outcast is made offshore. When asked why, Thomas told them they can't produce a D2 blade the same size in America and retail it for any where near $70, due to material and production costs.

How much more do people think a Becker or an ESEE in something like S30V would cost over the regular 1095 steel? Probably much more than people are willing to pay. I know that I would go for a custom knife first, myself.
 
Sulaco said:
You know, that's quite an interesting statement! I wonder how true that is, "To get better performance than <insert blade steel here>, you are going to pay a LOT more money for it." for other steels? What about, say, AUS-8? Or 440C? Or even going up to 154CM? We know 1095 is the gold standard for hard-use, affordable blades, especially in the larger and outdoor lines, but what about with folders where most people prefer SS? Hmmm, interesting concept!

Sorry for threadjacking, just thought it was interesting!
Click to expand...

For a short blade money no object, 1095 doesn't even come close to comparison to any of the super steels (s30v/s35vn/s90v, 10v, Elmax, M390, S110V, [insert your steel here], etc). Not even in the same ballpark, not even the same planet.

For a large blade it still has some credence (is that the right word?). But its beaten by quite a few steels. But do you really need a blade that will stay sharp for as long as M4? Most people dont, for many 1095 is more than adequate.

1095 is a winner when somebody wants a relatively inexpensive hard use large blade.
 
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