Spyderco Forums

What do you think are the most underrated steels? For me it's what I call good working steels, not the latest super steels. Don't get wrong though, I plan on getting more knives in VG-10, and 30V. Here's mine:

1. Gin-1(G-2)

2. AUS-8A(8A)

3. AUS-10(10A)

These to me are hard working steels(not wonder steels), that still get the job done! RKBA!

I've always found 8A and 6A, as well as 440C to work well. ATS-55 is one that just about anyone will ignore.

My Word, My Honour, is my Life.

Easy. Think back to the steels used in cheap, yet popular, working knives. They've been working for many moons, and continue to do so. The short list- 1095, Case CV/50100B/Carbon V, SAK Rostfrei, 420HC. Nothing complicated, but they WORK. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Never underestimate the impossible.

I found the ATS-55 to be a great steel and yet they don't talk much about it.

<font color=blue>I'll be back!</font>

I love aus 8 and 10.

I learn something new everyday,even though I don't want to. Jeff

I second the 1095 nomination. Great for machetes.

Knife Knut on a shoestring budget. <P>RKBA

I dident know that 52100b was used in cheap knives,never seen it on a cheap knife, anyway, I have always liked GIN-1 better than 6a or 8a, and have a benchmade mini tsek in the steel and it puts my ats-34 benchmades to shame, same goes for my spydes in this steel(old Ones). I also like good old 440a on work knives, it holds a decent edge and is a breeze to sharpen compared to the new stainlesses. Ats-55 is excellent and doesent get any credit, probibly because only spyderco uses it and they brought out vg-10 shortly after it, same goes for AUS-10A, it is a great steel also.

For me, it's not stainless steels at all. It's the high carbon and chrome vanadium tool steels. No one likes them now despite their qualities because they might rust (oh NO!) if you don't take care of them.

p.s. I don't know what alloy Victorinox uses for their SAK, but I believe "Rostfrei" simply means "rust free" aka stainless...

"We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail." Oh well, I guess zero out of three isn't bad for Bush.

Some of the best knives I have every used was Case with plain old carbon steel.It dis colors but I don't mind that much.

I learn something new everyday,even though I don't want to. Jeff

Yeah I think it's kind of ironic that Case's new "Tru-Sharp surgical stainless steel" isn't worth a poop compared to what they used to be known for.

Dan

Hey wire- 50100B is used in Case CV blades, and those run pretty cheap. It's likely the true identity of Cold Steel's Carbon V, as well.

Never underestimate the impossible.

I still like the Gin-1 on my G-10 Navigators. Easy to sharpen!

12C27 Sandvik and good old carbon steel....
Vox.

TO Swaord and Shield are you talking about 50100b or 52100b on case knives. Also I believe the steel ColdSteel uses(carbon v) is W-2 which contains tungsten and vanadium that other cheaper carbon steels do not have.

Indeed, "Rostfrei" is the German term for "Rust free".

<font color=blue>I'll be back!</font>

The reason I didn't mention any of the fine carbon steels, is I believe they are on somewhat of a comeback. Another reason is that there are plenty of folks like myself that have a deep appreciation for these great old steels! In our Stockmans I refuse to use anything but carbon steels!

Zrexxer:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:<hr height=1 noshade>I don't know what alloy Victorinox uses for their SAK <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE></font><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2>

There is no single supplyer regarding Victorinox folders. All depends on the World Market Prices on steel and availibility.

There are: Ugine (France), Krupp/Thyssen (Germany), in smaller quantities also Böhler (Austria) and Sandvik (Sweden).

Bonpertuis (France) is the main supplyer for steel in houshold and butcher knives.

The typical SAK steel is close to the German DIN 1.4110 or the US 440A, hardened to 55-56 RC. The butcher knives are even softer. Somewhere around 54 RC.

~Paul~

Spyderco Collectors Club Member #57

Hey wire- I was going off the Joe Talmadge Steel FAQ, which I've never had go wrong in the past.

Specifically, after cleaning up the format:
0170-6 - 50100-B - Case Chrome-Vanadium - Carbon V?
These are different designations for the same steel: 0170-6 is the steel makers’ classification, 50100-B is the AISI designation. A good chrome-vanadium steel that is somewhat similar to O-1, but much less expensive. The now-defunct Blackjack made several knives from 0170-6,
and Carbon V may be 0170-6. 50100 is basically 52100 with about 1/3 the chromium of 52100, and the B in 50100-B indicates that the steel has been modified with vanadium, making this a chrome-vanadium steel.

and

Carbon V
Carbon V is a trademarked term by Cold Steel, and as such is not necessarily one particular kind of steel; rather, it describes whatever steel Cold Steel happens to be using, and there is an
indication they do change steels from time to time. Carbon V performs roughly between 1095-ish and O-1-ish, in my opinion, and rusts like O-1 as well. I've heard rumors that Carbon V is O-1 (which I think is unlikely) or 1095. Numerous industry insiders insist it is 0170-6. Some spark tests done by a rec.knives reader seem to point the finger at 50100-B. Since 50100-B and 0170-6 are the same steel (see below), this is likely the current Carbon V.

Just my informed opinon. Reality may well vary. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Never underestimate the impossible.