Differences in types of stainless steel.

[emilianoksa]

There seem to be so many different types used for knife blades: Aus 8, 440A, B and C. 420A, B and C, ATS, sv30 etc.

Are there any which have passed the tests of time, and others which are best avoided?

And is coated Carbon Steel worth considering as an alternative in survival knives, or just not worth the trouble?

Would appreciate some advice.

I need a fixed blade of between 4" to 6" and a folder of 3.5" to 4".

Have been considering the Sog Seal Pup, and a Spyderco follder.

I've been tempted by the Tops and RAT knives, but they are probably more than I would ever need. And they''re not stainless, so would need more maintenance.

 

[hso]

Look at Spyderco's steel chart as well as AG Russel's if you want to see the raw steel characteristics.

Maintenance of a carbon steel blade is relatively easy. Keep it oiled or waxed and dry it whenever it gets wet and you shouldn't have any rust problems. If you see any rust develop, just lightly polish it off. I'm sharpening a friend's large carbon steel knife that has killed and dressed 8 adult hogs in the past 6 months. Blood and rust just seem to go together, but my buddy rinsed the knife off at the first opportunity and then oiled it. No rust.

OTOH, new corrosion resistant steels perform just as well as carbon. If the environment is going to be near salt water, one of those may be in order.

If you don't intend to maintain the knife stay away from bare carbon steel and ATS 34. 440 C is the only 440 series to use. The HC versions of 420 are good. S30V is excellent. VG series steels are also.

What do you expect to do with the knife? What knife depends upon what conditions and what tasks you intend to use it for.

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks for the very helpful advice.

I will be using the fixed blade in jungle and mountainous terrain. Nothing hard core in virgin jungle; more like general camping duties, and to carry when trecking in high ground. Something like a Fallkniven F1 or S1, or a Sog Seal Pup would probably prove useful.

The folder would be for EDC jand routine cutting jobs. I can't afford the high end stuff, but I want something solid that will keep a good edge. Say $100 to $150. There's a lot of stuff from Spyderco, Benchmade and Boker and Sog in this price range, but I've not much idea about strengths and weaknesses of the various models.

Maybe there's a folder out there that would be good for both.

Since I'm a novice, I'll be staying away from serrated blades

 

[Harlan]

Just remember that there is no super steel that does it all. They all have purposes and places.

For folders 440c,154cm and its identical japanese brother ATS34, and s30v are all good stainless steels within your price range.

As for fixed blades it does not have to be shinny to perform great just keep that in mind. All of my fixed camping knives that I trust are carbon steel with nice aged patinas from oxidation, oil, and blood.

Favorites for fixed blades.
52100
5160
O1
1095
L6
D2

Good Luck

 

[seed]

http://www.knifeart.com/steelfaqbyjo.html
http://www.agrussell.com/Steel_Guide/a/73/

Got these links from:

http://knifetest.com/forum/index.php

A fun site done by the same people as above:

http://www.knifetests.com/

And I have to include the following due to these knives with the INFI steel being the toughest knives (with the toughest steel) I have ever seen or heard of:

http://www.bussecombat.com/home/index.shtml

One more thing... I have had good results with coated blades, such as my old Benchmade Emerson CQC7. The highlights will of course wear, but not excessively so. I have NOT treated mine with kid gloves and am very impressed with the durability of the coating.

Also, so long as you are not using the knife for food preparation you should not at all be afraid to use rust prevention products. The best in my experience is Eezox.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Sandvik Steel

There is a Swedish stainless steel, Sandvik 13C26, I think, that's used in a number of Scandinavian knives (Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish).

Seems to hold up well, take a good edge, keep an edge well.

This same steel is used in some American knives as well (doesn't Kershaw use that?).

In fact, there's a whole range of Scandinavian knives (for examples, see www.ragweedforge.com) all the way from $10 to more than you'll want to spend.

Excellent hardware, and the Norwegian stuff has the extra artistic finish to it.

If I were going somewhere that made a good outdoor knife a requirement, I'd certainly make a point of reviewing those.

Heck, there's even a pretty robust folder (same site) made by EKA of Sweden, called the EKA Swede 92 (or, if you prefer a wood handle, the Swede 82). I actually EDC the Swede 92 (under the old Normark name) on belt every other week or so. Surprisingly useful knife.

They also do one called the Nordic T8 that looks quite good. Haven't tried one of those yet. Guess I ought to but, at $95, it's a little more than I usually spend on a folder just to try it out. Still, if my happy surprise with the Swede 92 is anything to go on, the T8 won't disappoint.

Anyway.

Sandvik steel.

Good stuff.