Why numerical and not names for blade types?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
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One comes across numerous numerical classifications for types of blades. For example, 440, VG-10, ATS-34, AUS8, etc.

Wouldn't it be easier just to name them? That would certainly make it easier for ordinary knife collectors.

Nobody ever calls titanium by its scientific name. I am sure it has one. Or maybe talonite by its chemical name.

Whoever goes around saying "H2o, I am dying for H2o."
For simplicity's sake, I am suggesting maybe in future, we attach straightforward, simple and direct names for metal types (concerning blades) to make for easy remembering.

:D :D :D
 
Golok,

The numbers are not really product names, but rather sequence numbers for steel formulas developed by the various companies. Names probably wouldn't work.

N2S
 
I'm pretty sure that many of the conventional stainless knife steels, and likely many of the carbon steels, were originally designed for other applications. Hitachi's ATS-34 for instance, was originally designed for high-speed bearings or something like that, so I guess the individual manufacturers of the steel stock assigned the numbers to them.

I'm with you though, I'd like ATS-34 to be called "Fred," or something that makes more sense than the numbering at least. Even a type followed by approximate RC hardness would make more sense.

Professor.
 
While I'm not a metalurgist, I do believe many of the numbers and letters used to name steels are not the actual scientific name or chemical sequence for the steel. The companies that make the steel come up with the letter number combination for their identification purpose.

Titanium is actually the scintific name for that metal. Titanium is actually an element and can be found on the Periodic table by the symbol Ti.

I can't speak much about Talonite, other than it is not a ferrous metal and it isn't the same thing as Titanium. I believe it is actually a Cobalt alloy. I'm sure you will get much better answers than this in a little while. :)
 
I can keep pretty good track of steel numbers, but I sure wish Benchmade would name their products insted of numbers. I just cannot keep track of what models people are talkin about when they talk BM's.
 
Well it really confused me when the CPM´s changed their names...

But in Denmark 01 is called Arne and D2 is called Sverger21 so it could be done....but I guess it is up to the industrie
 
I'm given to understand that a person, properly versed in all of the nomenclature (which I ain't), could determine almost the exact properties and intended uses of a piece of steel, given its designation.

For instance, Jim Hrisoulas' book says that the A in A2 denotes that it is air-hardening steel (O1 would be oil-hardening). D2 was designed for die-making, etc.

Also, the numbers in the carbon steels described the points of carbon and other minerals. I'll see if I can find that online (I think Bob Engnath had it on his site...).

HTH. :D
 
check out some of the articles in KnifeArt, they have ones that describe what the numbers mean. for example, in the 10xx steels the xx is the percent of carbon and the first two numbers have somethign to do with other alloying elements. take a look, it's interesting.


- Pete
 
Originally posted by RH
I can keep pretty good track of steel numbers, but I sure wish Benchmade would name their products insted of numbers. I just cannot keep track of what models people are talkin about when they talk BM's.
Click to expand...

They do have names, as well as numbers. Most here at Bladeforums call them by their model numbers instead. Not sure why. Lazy typists, I guess. It's faster and easier to type "910", than "Elishewitz Stryker".
 
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