Winkler Knives

jharpphoto

jharpphoto

Joined
Jan 22, 2011
Messages
290
I've got the hots for a new Winkler knife. I haven't decided which model yet but it's a toss up between the Winkler Belt knife, spike or hunting knife. I'm curious about a variation on the blade material listed on different sites for the same blade. For example on one online Winkler dealer the steel is listed as 80CrV2 and as 5160 for the belt knife. I don't see the steel listed in the description on the Winkler site. Just curious if one of these steels is better and why?
 
I'm no steel expert but just speaking from my personal experiences with both steels in Winkler Knives I will give you my impressions.

I have Winklers in each steel ... and for practical uses I really can't tell much difference in how they perform.

The 80CrV2 is said to be slightly tougher and hold an edge slightly better ... some I've heard call it 5160 on steriods ... but I haven't been able to notice much if any difference in performance.

I have no compliants about either steel in my Winkler knives ... the are both tough and both hold an edge better then I actually expected ... and both will sharpen back up to shaving sharp with relative ease.

From what I've seen it seems most of the Winklers now are in 80CrV2 so I'm not sure if they are switching over completely or still using both it and 5160 ... I'm guessing they are switching to the 80CrV2 since before the 5160 they used to use 52100 ... but I wouldn't be worried over either ... My Winklers are just very well made tough knives and both hold an edge very well.

I will add that the Winklers blades are thick ... my Blue Ridge Hunter in 5160 wasn't bad but my Winkler II Hunting Knife in 80CrV2 ... I recently sent to Jason B. a professional sharpener from our forums ... and he thinned the blade behind the edge a bit and thinned the tip some and he sharpened it up ... did a beautiful job ... even bevels and made it an amazing cutter.
 
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I have a belt knife in 80crv2 and enjoy it...it's one of my favorite knives. :thumbsup:
 
Winkler seems to have a very loyal following, and I've not read any posts that have been negative.
I am not fond of the designs, but I respect the fact that many folks love 'em.
 
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