You told me what handles and blades, NOW tell me what steel

[Franciscomv]

52100 is my favourite all around steel, I also like O1 and A2 a lot. I don't have any experience with these steels in folders, though. I know A2 from my Bark River knives and 52100 and O1 from forged customs I own.

I think that carbon steel would be the best choice for a traditional style pocket knife, but if you decide to use stainless any of the premium ones is fine by me. I can't say I notice a performance difference between my Spydercos in VG-10 and S30V, so any of the "good" stainless steels will do.

 

[Don Hanson III]

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I do not understand this list? thing, never having seen it before.

What does this mean A.G.?

I also feel that A2 would be a good choice.

 

[ilbruche]

1095 or 5160 for fixed blades.

S30V or VG10 for folders.

I also like differentailly treated blades like puukkos and san mai blades.

 

[sodak]

For smallish, anything that you can get to 65 HRC or more.

For largish, I like 52100.

 

[WombSlider]

5160, 1084, 1095, A2

 

[Carl64]

I will recommend by hardness first as well, although my bare minimum will be lower. Anything you will make 59rc or higher will be an improvement over so many fancy-looking decorative knives with lame soft steel.

1095 is good. If you want to make something better, there are several "tool steels" (if that's not an obvious name, I don't know what is) with no more than 5 or 6% chromium. M2 is a good one.

If you want to make a stainless knife, which I understand a lot of people expect, any of the common "good" steels would be a great improvement for slipjoints: AUS8, AUS10, 440c, 154cm, etc. Just make it out of something good and don't soften it into a butter knife. Even those mysery Chinese steels (8cr13...) are better than the crap used by american manufacturers claiming to have the "best steel."

 

[pickupman]

1095. Period. Save the stainless for the trim in a bathroom

 

[Wildcat]

1095. Period. Save the stainless for the trim in a bathroom

:thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[pickupman]

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Glad you liked that one, Wildcat. Give me 1095 or CV anyday.

 

[pickupman]

Do you really prefer high carbon? 1070-1095 over VG-10 or 154CM? How about the exitocs? ZDP-189 Cowry-X, etc. A-2 D-2 Talk to me.

In answer to your question, yes. My request is produce the stainless and the exotics but please don't forget 1095, etc.

 

[Will Power]

Offer both 1095 and a good stainless please, VG10 or 154 I'm not a rust-addict but I understand why many people admire the traditional,and they are not wrong either.

 

[davmgt]

Do you really prefer high carbon? 1070-1095 over VG-10 or 154CM? How about the exitocs? ZDP-189 Cowry-X, etc. A-2 D-2 Talk to me.

I'd say 154 Cm if you decide to make it in the U.S and VG 10 if you decide to manufacture it in Japan.