How do you interpret the deifferent steel nomenclatures used in knife making? For example, I have a buck with ATS-34 steel, which although tough to sharpen, doesn't really seem to hold an edge all that long. Thought ATS-34 was suppose to be very good stuff? What's best for taking a razor sharp edge and holding it? What does all this stuff mean?
Knife metal nomenclature? What is ATS-34 or 440C or whatever?
- Thread starter duckjihad
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Carbon content is a pretty good rough guide.
The higher the better, up to a point.
A lot of other elements are added to make the steel more rust resistant, or stainless.
Many of the new wonder steels are very hard to sharpen without diamond or ceramic sharpening equipment.
And I agree, a lot of it doesn't hold an edge or stay sharp any better then my daddy's old carbon steel Marbles Ideal, or my old Cammillus made KaBar.
And the wonder steel is a heck of a lot harder to sharpen!
Here are most of the knife steels used today:
http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/steel_guide/
rcmodel
The higher the better, up to a point.
A lot of other elements are added to make the steel more rust resistant, or stainless.
Many of the new wonder steels are very hard to sharpen without diamond or ceramic sharpening equipment.
And I agree, a lot of it doesn't hold an edge or stay sharp any better then my daddy's old carbon steel Marbles Ideal, or my old Cammillus made KaBar.
And the wonder steel is a heck of a lot harder to sharpen!
Here are most of the knife steels used today:
http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/steel_guide/
rcmodel
Valkman
Member
Heat treat is a huge factor in how good the actual edge is. Newer Buck knives are done by Paul Bos and he's the best - I send my knives to him for HT. ATS-34 and 440C are good steels if the HT is done right.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I don't know what to tell you.
I have two identical ATS-34 Benchmade folders, made about two years apart.
The old one holds an edge like grandpa's straight razor, and three or four licks on a Spyderco sharpener once & awhile is all it takes to keep it that way.
The new one is twice as hard to sharpen, and won't hold an edge worth a darn.
It's like Valkman said, its really all in the heat treatment each blade receives.
And part of that seems to be luck of the draw from the factory knife makers.
rcmodel
I have two identical ATS-34 Benchmade folders, made about two years apart.
The old one holds an edge like grandpa's straight razor, and three or four licks on a Spyderco sharpener once & awhile is all it takes to keep it that way.
The new one is twice as hard to sharpen, and won't hold an edge worth a darn.
It's like Valkman said, its really all in the heat treatment each blade receives.
And part of that seems to be luck of the draw from the factory knife makers.
rcmodel
http://users.ameritech.net/knives/steels.htm
http://www.knifeart.com/steelfaqbyjo.html
http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/steel.php
http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=3
http://www.buckknives.com/technical_steel.php
http://ajh-knives.com/metals.html
http://elinemerchandising.com/blog/categories/Blade-Materials/
http://www.knifeart.com/steelfaqbyjo.html
http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/steel.php
http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=3
http://www.buckknives.com/technical_steel.php
http://ajh-knives.com/metals.html
http://elinemerchandising.com/blog/categories/Blade-Materials/
Valkman
Member
LOL hso really laid it to you!
True, but I've read thru most of the literature he provided, and I now know more about knife steel then I did 5 hours ago. I think it's still hit or miss as the gentlemen above stated. I have and have had 1/2 a dozen bucks. Some you can't get a decent edge on at all, and some are fantastic. I have a buck with ATS 34, touted as the best knife making material, and it's not impressive. I have a buck folding hunter and proline buck that are amazing( of course, their blades don't state the steel type). I had a benchmade mini griptilian that took a pretty good edge, but didn't hold it all that long. I have a puma folding hunter that is awesome, but I hear their stuff has become cheaper quality now. I wish puma listed the steel used on their blades, or that they made a modern, light weight, one hand opener. I guess it really is luck of the draw. Oddly enough, some of the material our friend provided me links to listed 440A and b as steel to avoid.......but then it pointed out that some randalls used 440b and SOG used 440A. Guess I'll buy a few more, keep the good ones, and have a yard sale of the lesser crap. You guys seem very knowledgable. Would love to hear what you carry on a daily basis......by the way, anybody out there producing good carbon steel blades these days. I loved case before they went to this stainless stuff that will not take an edge but looks pretty.
Valkman
Member
I make knives out of ATS-34 and while good it's no where near the best steel. Heat treat will not be hit and miss with anything from Bos, and that's why I etch his flame logo on every knife I sell.
D2 is great stuff but today I ordered a bunch of CPM D2 from Crucible and it should be even better. It's supposed to keep a better edge and be easier to sharpen.
I carry a Strider daily, another company that uses Paul Bos.
D2 is great stuff but today I ordered a bunch of CPM D2 from Crucible and it should be even better. It's supposed to keep a better edge and be easier to sharpen.
I carry a Strider daily, another company that uses Paul Bos.
good info...
the knife guy google the knife guy and go to the section blade steel. really in debth info. everything you need to know. probablly has . actually when you google the knife guy you will get a list. click the first entry. top of the list. the switchblade .com is at the bottom of the first entry. blade steel info that kept me reading for an hour. has every type of blade alloy content. blade differences whats good for what and they describe what the big companies like to use for what model knife. and why. good stuff. you should actually read this before anyone makes a purchase.
the knife guy google the knife guy and go to the section blade steel. really in debth info. everything you need to know. probablly has . actually when you google the knife guy you will get a list. click the first entry. top of the list. the switchblade .com is at the bottom of the first entry. blade steel info that kept me reading for an hour. has every type of blade alloy content. blade differences whats good for what and they describe what the big companies like to use for what model knife. and why. good stuff. you should actually read this before anyone makes a purchase.
Ghost Tracker
Member
Heat Treat is a lot like a cigar or a dog. There's nothing better than a GOOD one...and nothing worse than a BAD one!
JTW Jr.
Member
yup , that Bos guy does some great HT 
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