O-1 vs SK-5 Steel

[Tired_and_hungry]

G'day Y'all,

Cold Steel recently changed the steel on their more affordable large knives from SK-5 to O-1. As I own a CS Gurkha Kukri in SK-5, I'd like your opinions as to whether it is actually worth my money to buy another one in O-1 steel. Does O-1 outperform SK-5 given equally good heat treatment? Does SK-5 have any qualities which are better than O-1?

Mostly, I use my kukri to butcher game, chop firewood and prepare shelters.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have many CS folders and couple of their fix blades . I don't think I would go out and buy a new 0-1 I really don't believe the cost justifies the little difference. I didn't sell my 7 Voyagers to buy the new ugly ones. Just because of the better lock. Mine all work fine and do what I need them to do. Same with my carbon V trail master. has serve me well for many a year.

Save you money or buy a different knife CS has many.

 

[Gordon]

Starrett 0-1 would certainly be very good if tempered right, Chinese 0-1 of questionable production might not be . 0-1 means iron with some carbon.

 

[Zeke/PA]

O-1 is of course a great all around tool steel and it makes a great knife blade.
IMHO theres no BIG difference in an SK-5 blade but it's a good excuse to buy another knife.

 

[lobo9er]

Is SK-5 a steel? Or is it like Carbon-V that has been different steel labeled carbon-v over the years?

 

[Sam Cade]

SK-5 is a specific high carbon steel, broadly equivalent to AISI 1080-something.

http://www.steel-grades.com/Steel-grades/Tool-steel-Hard-alloy/sk5.html