Which steel stays the sharpest?

[50 Freak]

front leaf spring from a 1970's era Mack truck once ground to shape, and sharpened, that piece of steel yielded some of the most amazingly durable edges i have ever used. two or three weeks of daily construction use without touchup. Hard as glass, tough too.

Himalayan Imports only use 5160 Mercedes trucks spring steel that they get from junk yards. They believe those steels are super hard and hold an edge quite well. Wonder if Mack truck spring steel is the same?

 

[mtnbkr]

The O1 steel used in my hunting knife holds an edge better than anything I've used except *maybe* the S30V steel in my Sebenza.

I'd pick O1 steel again if given the choice. It's not stainless, but rust hasn't been a problem, even after dunking it in a creek to wash deer blood off it. It has been to camp several times, used for field dressing deer, camp chores, etc and has remained razor sharp.

Chris

 

[FNFiveSeven]

INFI, it's used by Busse in all their knives. It's crazy, once you've tried it, you'll never use anything else again. It holds an edge FOREVER. I chopped up a wood table with my Stealheart and it was still sharp enough to push cut paper! The corrosion resistance is so-so... but Sweet Jesus, the toughness and edge holding are out of this world

 

[mtnbkr]

I've heard good things about his knive, but I use axes and chainsaws when destroying furniture.

That said, when he makes something pocketable, I might buy one (he's been hinting at a folder for how many years now?). He made a very small fixed blade a few years ago, but I can only find them on the secondary market now. I'd like to handle one first.

Chris

 

[FNFiveSeven]

YES! The assault shaker, now that was the world's best neck knife! Why the discontinued that little powerhouse is beyond me.

 

[Zeke/PA]

In my knife making days,I used mostly 0-1 for my blades.
Professionally heat-treated to Rc57-59 it was and still is all the knife that the AVERAGE person needs.
Any knife, if used, requires care and re- sharpening.
There is not now or will there ever be a blade that needs no care at all.
Once in awhile a "super" steel will surface with astronomical attributes as far as cutlery is concerned.
Do not be duped into spending money needlessly.
Cutlery is still cutlery and must be maintained properly.
It seems, after reading some recent posts,that the quest is for a knife that you don't have to sharpen.
No such thing.
My advice is this:
Learn how to sharpen a knife.
Hi- Carbon steel knives are your best blades, realize that there is a rust potential and act accordingly.
Blood of course is tough on a blade but once again, the remedy is easy.
Blood residue is best removed with hot water,knife wiped off and then oiled lightly.(W-D or gun oil is fine).
Don't store your knife in it's sheath as a rust potential or discoloration exists there.
D-2 , as old an alloy that it is, still rules in my opinion for a lot of toolroom sanctioned reasons but NO alloy has attributes enough that no care is required.
Respectfully, Zeke

 

[FNFiveSeven]

Talonite, Stellite 6K, and 6Al4V Ti are all alloys which are currently being used for blades, and they actually require NO care at all. You could store one of Tom Mayo's TNT (Talonite and Titanium) knives in a bucket full of fish guts and salt water for 10 years and there wouldn't be a spot on it.

 

[Zeke/PA]

blackrazor,
I cannot dispute the corrosion resistence of your favorite knife but the barrel of fish guts cannot make your knife SHARP.
Zeke