your favorite blade steel on using knives and why you like it?

HermanKnives

HermanKnives

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Aug 11, 1999
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tell me your best steels for using knives and why you prefer it over other steels.

i am considering making a line of user folding knives and need serious users opinions.
 
Your up to no good again, aren't you???
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304 stainless
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. Honestly, i used A-2 for a few blades and loved the stuff. Great edge and not too bad to work with and Paul Bos HT's it!
 
BG42. Tough for a stainless, easy to sharpen, holds an edge. Really nice for an easy care folder.
 
BG-42, good stain resistance, very good wear resistance and strength. A good balance between ease of maintenance and durability.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
Is anyone familiar with Kyocera ceramic blades? Advantages/disadvantages.

I notice Boker is using them under license for a few of their folding knives.
 
I've been really happy with ATS34 and ATS55.
Both are reasonably tough and hold an edge for a fairly long time but still aren't hard to sharpen. Stain resistance is pretty good. I took a knife with an ATS55 blade (uncoated) into the ocean not to long ago and the only care I took to prevent rust was to oil the pivot area with rem-oil and wipe the blade down with dexus gun oil wipes. Most of the time it didn't rust at all, one or two times it had small spots that could be buffed off easily.
I haven't ever used any of the new steels that are supposed to be so great like the CPM series and BG42. But from what I've heard and read, BG-42 is just modified ATS34, and doesn't perform that much differently, so at least in my opinion the added cost probably isn't worth it. I don't know what to think about the CPM steels, after looking at the cost of barstock I know I won't be trying any of it for awhile, but then I'm not getting any profit from the knives I make.
MAybe since these are custom knives, you could give people a choice of the steel they want when they make the order, and just limit the choices to a certain set of steels that your willing to work with.

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It'll feel better when it stops hurting.
 
I prefer the cardboard Comrade Chang uses on his Changbenza. Holds an edge nearly forever and has ductility and rust resistance out the wazoo.
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If you or anyone else is fool enough to read that "Favorite Factory Steels" article in Sept. 2000 Blade Magazine, it's 440A all the way! All the steels we have come to know and love don't mean squat. VG10 and ATS34 and CPM440V all suck compared to 440A.
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As for myself, even though VG10 and 440V and ATS34 blow in Blade's ratings, I love the performance I'm getting from the knives I have that use these steels.
D2 is a steel I'd like to see more of in folders, too.
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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu

[This message has been edited by misque (edited 08-26-2000).]
 
I like Carbon V, 52100 and 1095 in carbon steels (as heat treated by Cold Steel, Marble's and Colorado Cutlery, respectively), plus Roselli's forged carbon steel; AUS8 and VG-10 (as heat treatd by Cold Steel and Fallkniven, respectively). Also, whatever Frosts and Erikkson of Sweden use in their carbon steel knives. In axes, Iltis Oxhead blades are superb.
 
Well, to be honest, as far as all the good quality knives I have owned, I have not met a steel I dont like. All have been very good users and have suited my needs very well. I did have one in 440V that I never could seem to sharpen...seems the Spyderco sticks had no effect on it. ATS34, 440C, and even the AUS steels have done well for me.

I prefer stainless for the simple fact that sometimes I neglect the knives a bit and the rust can get away from me if I dont watch it. So I suppose if I had to pick one, I would say ats34 or 440c would be good.

Cant wait to see what ya come up with.



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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795
UPDATED and REVISED
 
I would say 440c makes for a good user, but I know how Tim feels about it, so I would have to go with ATS. Also for a user 1095 is very hard to beat, low cost and great when ht right.
 
Tim why not 52100, and forge it out of a big old ball bearing likr Ed Fowler does? Heck he gets over $800 for one of his fixed blades, you should get a million for one of your folders.
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"Will work 4 Knives!"
My PhotoPoint Site
 
Ok Tim when do you start making fun of everyone? Your not serious are you? Just on the off chance you are serious
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I don't have a problem from any of the blade steels out on most factory knives ie: ATS 34,
CPM154, VG 10, M-2, D-2 ect. I really feel that HEAT TREATMENT is the key between a great blade and a so so blade. So when does the ridicule begin Tim?
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[This message has been edited by Easyrider (edited 08-26-2000).]
 
BG42 Tim. I'm telling you, BG42. 420V also but I have no experience with that. Tim go grab yourself some BG42, grind a blade, have Paul Bos heat treat it and test it out and see how you like it. It's just an all around good steel.

-Johnny
 
My favorite blade steel is carbon steel damascus. It is beautiful and performs well. If you want me to pick a popular stainless then I choose 440C for myself. It has the right compromise bewteen performance and "stainlessness" for me.

Someone above asked about ceramic blades. I've posted a longish article about them as a new thread. Take care.



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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
This actually looks serious. Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming.
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How about Infi. You could do a collaboration with Jerry Busse. Art meets brute force.

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Hoodoo

Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

The Merchant of Venice, Act IV. Scene I.
 
My initial impression of 3V has been very favorable, Tim. It's too early to tell for sure, but I think it might become my favorite. In my moderately humid climate I haven't noticed any tendency to rust with minimal care, but even that potential problem should go away when Crucible releases their stainless version.

Jack
 
My favourites are carbonsteels but they are IMO better in fixed bladed knives.

You shoudn't use anythig lower grade than BG-42 or S90V. Actually one of these would make a great user folder. But if you are in nasty humour make one of ten of 420-J2
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and sell as normal.
 
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