Why Not Stainless?

Horn Dog

Horn Dog

Joined
Sep 9, 2005
Messages
4,363
I have noticed on this forum and others that there are those who still do not like stainless steel bushcraft or survival knives. For sure, there have been some knives in 420J2 and other stainless steels that would not perform well. It seems to me that corrosion restistance is desirable in a survival knife, but the tool steels seem to be popular now. You can buy a Mora in stainless or carbon steel. The 12C27 steel seems to work fine for me. And nowadays there are a host of other very good stainless cutlery steels like 440C, S30V, 154CM and others. So what is the reason some chose carbon steel over stainless?
 
I used to like carbon,but where I am living rust is a constant problem. I have to choose stainless blades if I want to keep an edge.
 
I like the 12C27 steel too. Go figure.

But I'd prefer carbon in almost every task. Except maybe a boat knife.

Its easier to sharpen, and really, only needs a little care to prevent rust in most circumstances.
 
I live on the coast, so I like a good stainless. I use the Tuf Cloth on my others. It is nice not to have to worry so much about rust. Thing is, some of my favorite users, like the Bark River Bravo-1 are tool steels. Are there stainless steels that perform as well as the tool steels? I understand tha BRKT will be making a stainless model of the Bravo-1 soon.
 
Because many cheap blades come with stainless, and being cheap they break. So every one hates stainless. But there are plenty of good stainless blades out there. Thats why i have one stainless and one carbon!
 
Yeah HD, for so long when we heard stainless we associated it with cheap kitchen stuff, but your right, good stainless blades are a good thing
(you just like shinny we know it!).
 
just curious, but if you wiped off the carbon blades after use and smeared some oil on them, would they rust? I have never lived in a really harsh environment, so I am not familiar with how quick Carbon steels will rust.

thanks!

Brett
 
Cabon steel is tougher than stainless. It also takes and holds an edge better than stainless and it takes on a nice patina with use. Cabon steel is also cheaper than stainless so you can get more for your money. I love carbon steel knives, but I like stainless also, it just depends on what I am using it for. I really like the character carbon aquires with age, it reminds me of all the things I have cut.
 
Even though I prefer carbon steel, the one stainless I have experience with is 154CM. It's actually a stainless tool steel. Very tough. I've only made smaller knives with it but i'm sure it would do well in a larger blade. I'd feel perfectly confident with one in the field.
Scott
 
It depends on what steels your talking about.. Some carbon steels like A2, D2, and 3V are pretty stain resistant. Steels like 01 and 1095 rust just looking at them.
With current hi quality stainless steels you really cant go wrong with S30V, CPM 154, etc. but still many prefer carbon for various reasons.
 
bdws1975 said:
scott,

what do you use to keep rust away from your O1??

brett
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Keep it clean, dry and oiled. I use break Free. Don't store O1 or any carbon steel knives in their leather sheathes. Surface rust can be cleaned off with 0000 steel wool or a scotchbrite pad. When using the scotchbrite or steel wool, soak it with oil. Rub in the direction of the grind.
Scott
 
Gossman Knives said:
Keep it clean, dry and oiled. I use break Free. Don't store O1 or any carbon steel knives in their leather sheathes. Surface rust can be cleaned off with 0000 steel wool or a scotchbrite pad. When using the scotchbrite or steel wool, soak it with oil. Rub in the direction of the grind.
Scott
Click to expand...

awesome. thanks Scott.

Brett
 
I grew up using stainless knives, and I've mostly stuck with it in my Fallknivens, Vics, Spydies, Moras etc. The main exception other than axes and machetes is the carbon steel opinels, which have that slightly rustic feel to them that I quite like.
 
I have both and use both. Often I will be carrying a combination of both steels. When in the coastal mountains, I much prefer the better stainless steels because of the corrosion issues. Too, I prefer stainless for backpacking since I rarely have time to maintain the carbon blade. Overall, and more important to me, is the geometry and size of the blade for what I am doing. Because of that, I don't particularly care for many of the "survival knives" out there (too big and thick). :)
 
I'll admit, good old 1095 does seem easier to sharpen than some stainless steels. I have more in carbon steel than I do in stainless, but I have been impressed with 440C, S30V, and Buck's 420HC. I used oil for years, then wax. Now I use the Marine Tuf Cloth and it seems to work. My 52100 blades will rust easily if I don't care for them properly after use. But if I could have all my knives in 440C, that would be fine with me.
 
Dannyboy Leather said:
I have both and use both. Often I will be carrying a combination of both steels. When in the coastal mountains, I much prefer the better stainless steels because of the corrosion issues. Too, I prefer stainless for backpacking since I rarely have time to maintain the carbon blade. Overall, and more important to me, is the geometry and size of the blade for what I am doing. Because of that, I don't particularly care for many of the "survival knives" out there (too big and thick). :)
Click to expand...

It is amazing what some people call survival knives--everything from a Busse Battle Mistress to a Mora. Down here, I consider the machete a good choice (along with a folder).
 
In general, carbon steels are tougher than stainless steels, and if you're going away from civilization, you want your tools to be tough. That's one important reason for the popularity of carbon steels. Carbon steels are also easier to sharpen in the field, so that's another benefit there. And they're quite often less expensive, too.
 
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