Knife steel

[trappernana]

Can anyone explain what the numbers and letters mean in reference to the type of steel a knife is made of ? For example 154cm or S30V.I 'm not even sure I understand the difference between stainless steel and carbon steel, other than stainless is more resistent to rust. Is the hardness of the steel determend by thea mount of carbon? Any way, I don't unerstand and would greatly appreciate any enlightenment, I'm definately not the sharpest tool in the shed. Thanks

[SeriousStudent]

Cliff Stamp is your guy.

http://www.cutleryscience.com/review...materials.html

http://www.cutleryscience.com/review...e_testing.html

A good place to go is a website called Bladeforums. It's the M4C of the knife world.

http://www.bladeforums.com/

Good luck - knives are as addictive as black rifles, just less expensive.

Usually.

[bgoode]

You won't get your answers in one post. You need to look at many perks of each steel. I prefer O-1 because of its ease of sharpening and edge holding capabilities. It will tarnish and patina with use but I like lived in gear look.


With that said, I prefer D2 for knives I don't want to worry about rusting. Its not a true stainless but damn close and it works well.



S30V is a bitch to sharpen and I wouldn't recomend to someone who doesn't have getting a hair popping edge on a steel more easily sharpened.


154 is clost to ats-34 and there both stainless and more easy to sharpen than S30V


A2 is a non stainless steel like O-1 but is air hardening hense the A in A2 and O-1 is oil hardening hense O in O-1


440C is stainless and will make a good knife and is more stain resistant than 154 or ATS-34 I am pretty sure of.


1095 is non stainless and isn't as good as O-1 IN MY OPINION


There are several 10XX series of non stainless steels



I like a 58 to 59 RC on O-1 steel because when I have those knives with me I use em and use em good.any harder and O-1 can chip on you.


I like D2 to be about 60 to 61.


That's my experiences anyways.

[Spade]

Great link from SeriousStudent. As for which type of steel makes the best knife it really is personal preference in most cases. I have a great D2 knife I had custom made & love it. Some knife makers do not like to work with D2. I prefer something like 1095 for a large camp knife or a knife that may be in a bug out bag because it is easier to sharpen. However the trade is it will rust with out propper care. Some guys just love 440 stainless. Do lots of reading. I suggest picking up a coulple issues of Tactical Knife magazine. Look at what some of the knives are made from that you like & read about how they perform. Also what I did was any knife maker I like I called them & asked me to send some info on their knives & manufacturing techniques. Chris Reeve sent some great info. Also if looking at a custom build talk to the maker & express what you plan to do with the knife. Chances are a good maker can help you with the material. Hope this helps