Does blade steel make a huge difference to a knife?

**Craig** · 24-08-2008, 00:55

I been looking at knives quite a bit and see that there are loads of different steels used for the blades, even in the same designs. So what steel should you look for in a SD knife, assuming its only going to be used if needed, and you have chosen a sound SD design? From what I can remember, the iron & carbon mix either produces tough or sharp, but things seem to have changed.

**abhm** · 24-08-2008, 07:00

Originally Posted by Craig

I been looking at knives quite a bit and see that there are loads of different steels used for the blades, even in the same designs. So what steel should you look for in a SD knife, assuming its only going to be used if needed, and you have chosen a sound SD design? From what I can remember, the iron & carbon mix either produces tough or sharp, but things seem to have changed.

OK so my mind says this to me!
SD blade I want tough, somewhat sharp, must be able to slash and stab effectively, should be fixed blade (my own thing, tactical folders of good quality are equally good) be comfortable and easy to present bear in mind you and me aint going to be leopard crawling in the mud to slash a sentries throat, its going to need to come out in the middle of the fight when you are desperate and in the fight for your life.
A sd knife is a defensive weapon

my utility knife wants to be one that cuts the biltong and the braai pack, can be used as a screwdriver, e-tool, something to cut open the milk box and fix the kids bikes, I joke of course but you get where I am going with this!

sorry Craig no I am not a mettalurgist but will look into it

**BigT** · 25-08-2008, 08:31

A good mate of mine is a metallurgist he is of the opinion that people make far to much of blade steel. If says a knife from any of the respected makers will have acceptable blade steel.

**Corné** · 25-08-2008, 09:01

What BigT is saying makes sense to me. If we look at Spyderco you will see that they are not shy to publish their steel composition. Their catalogue gives this information and a bit of info on each component. They however do not stick to one specific type of steel and their knifes are made from different types of combinations and I do not think that any of their knifes are majorly different in performance to one another.

If you choose a knife for SD purpose, you should actually not use that knife for anything else. If that knife is then kept sharp, it will do the task even if it is made of a 'lesser' material. Yes, maybe you will have to sharpen it after such an incident, but it will do the job... Also a SD incident for the man in the street is not going to include surviving on your own with only your knife for 4 weeks and using it to chop wood, cut wire, slaughter prey, cutting through endless webbing and who knows what else.......

DS · 25-08-2008, 10:27

I agree to what you guys are putting forward.

I love knives and I have (and have had more) different knives from different manufacturers and makers, production, semi custom and custom - mostly USA.

Blade steel on a SD knife must be a good steel and does not have to be a "super" steel.

SD knife should be carried for that purpose and not used for utility or you would have to check the edge very often.

AUS 8 (widely used by CRKT) for example is imo good enough for SD.

I would prefer a better steel for a utility knife because edge holding and durability and less maintenance should be much better with S30V than with UAS8. Even though this is said I have yet to wear out any knife.

CJ · 25-08-2008, 15:27

I want to ask: Stainless or carbon steel ?
I know carbon steel rust it breaks easier etc....... The edge however seem to survive better....

DS · 25-08-2008, 16:30

"Carbon Steel' generally speaking, like the 1095 Steel used by RAT Cutlery for example is a tough steel that is easy to sharpen but will rust easily so it must be coated in some manner. I am also of the opinion that it will not keep and edge as long as a knife with S30V with same edge geometry.

Opinel uses carbon steel in some of their knives - tough, easily sharpened, rusts easily and does not keep a very sharp edge all that long.

**harm** · 03-10-2008, 21:04

i've heard [well read on a forum,but u know what i mean] a well known Knifemaker [Wayne Goddard.iirc] say that proper heat-treating makes a bigger difference than knife steel.

**Rattops** · 11-08-2009, 14:01

Hi Guys. I've been communicating with Craig via e-mail, but I think it's more appropriate to get the discussions going here. I am the owner of RC Knives (Rat Cutlery) and Tops Knives here in Africa. I also deal in a variety of other higher end knives (Wilson/Combat Elite, Emerson and a variety of others). With regards to blade steel : for both SD and EDC purposes, I prefer a high carbon blade (1095). Although they do pick up on rust, the coatings that are nowadays available on blades makes this not such a big issue. Just remember to clean and dry the blade area and oil up - there is a variety of anti rust products available on the market - Flitz, clenzoil, Q20, Aquila oil etc. etc. They all do a great job of protecting that open and unprotected blade area. 1095 is easily sharpened to a razors'edge with diamond and ceramic rod and is an absolute pleasure to maintain in the field. It is also tough as nails and can be used in extreme outdoor/ survival applications (batoning etc.) Obviously depends on the blade thickness. Other cutlery type steels are: 440c, 12c27,154cm, AUS8, Sanmai, Coldsteels'Carbon V,D2, A2, O2 tool steels, and S30V(a very good steel, but extremely expensive). I have been using a variety of blades over the years for both EDC and SD purposes and have found 1095 to be one of the most pleasing.Although it doesn't keep an edge as long as D2 or S30V , it's very easy to maintain, while your more expensive steels and tool steels takes forever. In field conditions this is a NO NO for me.

Lastly - carry more than 1 knife at a time - 1 for edc work and 1 for SD work , and don't ever use the SD knife for any other purposes, that way it stays sharp and when you need to use it, it will do the job.

That's my 5c worth. :)

**Geoff Carter** · 11-08-2009, 16:45

Rattops,

I must agree & disagree with you.

+100000 carry more than 1 knife on either side of your body, fixed or folding - your choice.

Use ALL your knives everyday, make them extentions of yourself! This is where an easily maintained & tough blade comes into the equation. You want all you blades to be razor sharp & GTG cause you can never guarantee which hand will be able to access which knife in a given situation ;)