X15 T.N vs. H1

Josh K · Jan 29, 2009

Compare and contrast. I know H1 is marketed as a rust free steel (it is. Many people have tried to get it to rust, and to my knowledge, none been successful.) I haven't heard a lot about X15 though. Looking around on Benchmade's website, they list it as an "upgrade" from H1.

tjsulli790 · Jan 29, 2009

It wasn't an upgrade IMO. I believe their reasoning was that X15 would hold an edge better than H1, although sacrificing some in the rust resistance. I've never seen where this is true, H1 holds its edge quite well and I believe it actually increases in hardness the more use it sees.

Both are good steels for their intended use and you'd probably be happy with either one, but head to head I think H1 is better.

Josh K · Jan 29, 2009

tjsulli790 said:
It wasn't an upgrade IMO. I believe their reasoning was that X15 would hold an edge better than H1, although sacrificing some in the rust resistance. I've never seen where this is true, H1 holds its edge quite well and I believe it actually increases in hardness the more use it sees.

Both are good steels for their intended use and you'd probably be happy with either one, but head to head I think H1 is better.

H1 is known to "work-harden". The more you sharpen it, the harder the edge gets. I believe that the cutting edge has been tested to be in the mid to high 60's (Rc).

Larrin · Jan 29, 2009

Since I know you're not purchasing the steel I think you should select which based on the knives not the steel.

Josh K · Jan 29, 2009

Larrin said:
Since I know you're not purchasing the steel I think you should select which based on the knives not the steel.

The steel is the heart of the knife. If I'm looking for a knife that I can go ocean kayaking with, I'm not going to want it to rust. At all. Personally, I prefer Spyderco's designs to Benchmades, but I really would like a comparison between the steels.

tjsulli790 · Jan 29, 2009

I don't think you're going to find a big enough difference to warrant choosing one over the other. Pick the knife you like the most.

Here is some reading material comparing the two steels:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391211&highlight=100sh2o

Josh K · Jan 30, 2009

tjsulli790 said:
I don't think you're going to find a big enough difference to warrant choosing one over the other. Pick the knife you like the most.

Here is some reading material comparing the two steels:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391211&highlight=100sh2o

Perfect. Thanks!

BTW: Best post of the thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3590234&postcount=39

tjsulli790 · Jan 30, 2009

Josh K said:
Perfect. Thanks!

BTW: Best post of the thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3590234&postcount=39

lol Yea if sal has that much confidence in it, it's good enough for me.

5.56 · Jan 30, 2009

FWIW, the modified sheepsfoot blade on the Salt 1 is an excellent design as well.

I own two