51CrV4 - Maintenance and Properties Questions

H

HyperXHyperX

Joined
Dec 29, 2021
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Hi everyone,

So I'm getting a custom knife made (heavily inspired by Strider's Badlands Bowie / the knife in the original Counter-Strike) and the knife maker decided to use 51CrV4 steel for it.

I can't really gather much info of this being used in knives, but from what I read online it's supposed to be a spring steel and also something you'd use in larger blades like swords, so that's how I know it should handle some abuse.

Anyways, having two non-stainless steels (I'm assuming the aforementioned steel is non-stainless, correct me if I'm wrong) at my disposal, I notice them getting rusty, even if I use Ballistol to slow that process down. Thus I'm wondering, what is the best way to prevent rust on blades?

Also, is there anything I should know about this steel before using it for chopping and all that stuff?
 
For all intents and purposes, 51CrV4 is the European equivalent of the more common North American 5160 spring steel.

And there is LOTS of information available for 5160.

Bottom line is the steel is fine for a larger/chopper knife, assuming your maker knows his heat treating.

Yes, it is a high-carbon steel and will rust relatively easily. Keep a thin coat of oil on it, and re-oil after use. Do not keep the knife stored in a leather sheath (if that is what the maker provides).

Welcome to the Forum. Post some pics when you get your knife!
 
shane45-1911 said:
For all intents and purposes, 51CrV4 is the European equivalent of the more common North American 5160 spring steel.

And there is LOTS of information available for 5160.

Bottom line is the steel is fine for a larger/chopper knife, assuming your maker knows his heat treating.

Yes, it is a high-carbon steel and will rust relatively easily. Keep a thin coat of oil on it, and re-oil after use. Do not keep the knife stored in a leather sheath (if that is what the maker provides).

Welcome to the Forum. Post some pics when you get your knife!
Click to expand...
That's very helpful, I will check that out.

As far as I know, he gets a treated steel plate from 'his guy', which he then makes the knife out of.

I do keep Ballistol on my non-stainless steels, though this doesn't seem to help in the long run. I guess I'll apply it like every two weeks or so and hope for the best, though I've heard some kind of wax should be better for long term storage.

The idea behind the knife is mainly being a showpiece, but with real capabilities and some very seldom real use.

Right now the knife is in the planning phase with nothing to show off really, though the making should begin soon. It will take some time, but when it's done I'll be sure to show it off here.
 
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