Why does Dalton knives still only use ATS-34 steel??.

[jeepin]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I am curious. Why does Dalton knives only use ATS-34 steel?. I know its a good steel, but there are better steels out there. Anyone know the answer?. Thanks in advance..

 

[senoBDEC]

Because they're familiar with it and it works? Steels do not a knife make. Heat treat, blade geometry, target mediums, finish, etc...

If you want them to use other steels why not just email them?

 

[averageguy]

I would echo senoBDECs comments.
Dawson continues to use 440C because it is an excellent steel and he knows it better than anyone.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

By "better steel" we often mean "more expensive" and "harder to work". Also, the really better steels may be unnecessary in many applications. Why would you need an expensive stainless steel in the desert? Why would you need a tough steel in a small pocketknife?

Most high end steels -- which includes ATS-34 -- are not significantly different from each other for ordinary, light-duty, daily use.

 

[ayz]

as stated before, knife makers tend to use steels they like best, the ones they are most familiar with and find easier to work.

 

[Duffin444]

Steels do not a knife make.

Yoda? Is that you?

I think it has a lot to do with what the maker is familiar with. And very few have any major issues with ATS-34, it's a good steal.

-Duff

 

[Planterz]

"Still only" ATS-34?

Probably the same reason Pro-Tech "still only" uses 154CM.

Because they're both excellent steels and have a much lower overhead cost (both materials and production) than the FOTM S30V.

Yes, S30V is "better", but also more expensive and harder to work with. These "inferior" steels are plenty good enough for 99% of us who actually use out autos, and in the end, it's not really all that different.

 

[Boink]

They probably buy it in large quantities and obtain favorable pricing as part of the deal.

Why does Bob Dozier still only use D-2??

<inquiring minds want to know!>

 

[Danbo]

For all the reasons already mentioned, and the fact that people will buy their knives anyway.

 

[ErikD]

Why fix what isn't broken? ATS-34 (154CM) is still just as good as it was before the introduction of S30V, or any of the newer "better" steels. It is also very well known and they know how to work it and get the best performance out of it. Why trade that for a newer steel that isn't as well known and might not be able to treat it as well?

Also I have personally not really been able to tell much difference between them. For most of us using a knife for EDC stuff it really won't make much difference in performance. This is especially true in smaller folding knives that won't be doing any chopping.