Spyderco Forums

I am on both sides of the spectrum; as much as I like H1 steel as a great allarounder I love carbon steels as well for their inherent qualities.I own and use a few fixed blades in 1095 and 1075 carbon steels.They are good performers and very versatile in the field.A friend of mine owns a custom fixed blade in 52100 steel and he swears by it.I'd very much like to see a Spyderco folder released in that steel.Who else ....?

Didn't super blue cover the need for a rust prone alloy?

Ive heard that 52100 is really nice.....
Not that that means much lol....

Fancier wrote:Didn't super blue cover the need for a rust prone alloy?

Ha I know this was somewhat of a flip response, but I can't say I totally disagree. I'm of the mind that loss of corrosion resistance is far more noticeable than some of the other properties supposedly gained in the trade.

The truth of the matter is, most of the other factors that go into a knife are more important than the steel (assuming proper and reasonable heat treat). Your friend's fixed blade is probably properly ground for the scope of work, comfortable in hand, well balanced, etc, and these most likely contribute far more to his enjoyment of the knife than the particular steel used.

52100 is good stuff but so are lots of other carbon steels. If you want a primo carbon steel, there have been plenty of Spyderco's made with M4 steel. In the recent past they have made several models with Cruwear steel and even one model with 3V.

bdblue wrote:5 If you want a primo carbon steel, there have been plenty of Spyderco's made with M4 steel. In the recent past they have made several models with Cruwear steel and even one model with 3V.

M4 is a HSS, it has little in common with 52100, CruWear and 3V are also very different. It would be like saying there is no need for a Spyderco Military because there already is the Spyderco Endura.

52100 has near optimal :

-apex stability
-ease of sharpening
-maximum hardness

It is the non-stainless equivalent of AEB-L.

Cliff Stamp wrote:

bdblue wrote:5 If you want a primo carbon steel, there have been plenty of Spyderco's made with M4 steel. In the recent past they have made several models with Cruwear steel and even one model with 3V.

M4 is a HSS, it has little in common with 52100, CruWear and 3V are also very different. It would be like saying there is no need for a Spyderco Military because there already is the Spyderco Endura.

52100 has near optimal :

-apex stability
-ease of sharpening
-maximum hardness

It is the non-stainless equivalent of AEB-L.

^^^ That.

Fancier wrote:Didn't super blue cover the need for a rust prone alloy?

It does, but given SuperBlue is a Japanese made steel, it is only available on Japanese made Spydercos (and sprint runs none-the-less). Using a carbon steel from a different country/foundry, Spyderco would not be as limited in the variety of knives they could potentially use this steel on.

Cliff, would those properties make 52100 a good steel choice for a very thinly ground knife such as the Nilakka?

Double post.

Sal had teased a UKPK sprint using 52100. Not sure if he was serious or not, but I'd buy a few.

52100 is a ball bearing steel. Most ball bearing steels make pretty decent blade steel. Especially where edges are concerned. It is my favorite steel to forge. It is hard to find in sheet. Actually, I would like to do a run of a model in 52100, but I'd prefer to make it in Golden, so it will be a year or so.

sal

I can't really explain why, but I would rather have a carbon steel blade than stainless. They especially look good when they take on a natural patina.

52100 has been one of my favorites for over a decade now. I've never seen a folder made with it in a production facility. It would be super rare, very good to sharpen and slice with and should sell well because of these factors. There are a lot of 52100 fans out there. I'd sure want to grab a few.

Joe

Cliff Stamp wrote:

bdblue wrote:5 If you want a primo carbon steel, there have been plenty of Spyderco's made with M4 steel. In the recent past they have made several models with Cruwear steel and even one model with 3V.

M4 is a HSS, it has little in common with 52100, CruWear and 3V are also very different. It would be like saying there is no need for a Spyderco Military because there already is the Spyderco Endura.

52100 has near optimal :

-apex stability
-ease of sharpening
-maximum hardness

It is the non-stainless equivalent of AEB-L.

Hmm might be nice to make some Spydies out of AEB-L then, just saying.

I'd darn sure buy an AEB-L spydie.

If "ease of sharpen" was high on our list, we've certainly gone in a strange direction. Don't see much clamoring for an 8Cr13Mov sprint, for example. Interesting how when a steel is liked it gets "easy to sharpen" or "takes a keen edge". When disliked it gets "low wear resistance". All a matter of perspective I guess.

Able Dog wrote: Cliff, would those properties make 52100 a good steel choice for a very thinly ground knife such as the Nilakka?

Exactly right.

Cliff Stamp wrote:

Able Dog wrote: Cliff, would those properties make 52100 a good steel choice for a very thinly ground knife such as the Nilakka?

Exactly right.

Thanks. Now I have a dream Sprint Run.

I'm very excited to hear more about what Spyderco ends up producing in 52100.

52100 is likely not trivial to get in knife stock, 50100-B or similar steels likely would be far easier.

I have some experience with the this steel in chef knives. It has served me very well in that role and I would always be open to trying it in another application.

A folder in this steel would be a nice offering. I'd definitely be interested.