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Any Tell me about PD#1 Micro Melt steel?
- Thread starter trknick16
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PD1 is a well rounded performer. Good toughness, good wear resistance and enough chromium for some corrosion resistance.
I would, if I trust the manufacturer.
I believe that Strider is known for having among the best heat treats for whatever steels they're using at the time, so I'd worry less about an SnG than I might a bottom shelf brand with a new or obscure steel.
I thought PD#1 is more like 3V?
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I've had a very good experience with PD#1. It is definitely rugged, in the sense that it holds an edge well and is very resistant to rolling and chipping. I don't agree with the others about it being resistant to corrosion, it doesn't excel in that field IMO. I keep my PD#1 protected with Frog Lube and avoid cutting corrosive things like flesh, foods, etc. It takes on a ridiculous edge, that's another plus. Even mirror polished, the edge is very aggressive. I feel very confident in the steel as a performer, but would pay attention to keeping it well protected. My PD#1 SnG is cerakote'd so I havent experienced any real corrosion, but I've seen it build it up a patina on the exposed parts of the blade pretty quick when being used wet, for example.
bodog
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Can you share the experience you have with different steels? Maybe based on that someone can say it's like X plus this or X minus that. Otherwise, it's all pretty subjective when someone says it's tough, takes a fine edge, has good edge stability at a decent hardness, etc. To someone who doesn't really know what that means, it's kind of hard to describe. If someone does know what all of that is, they can probably look up PD1 and see that it's like CPM Cruwear, Z-wear, etc and know what it means. So the best place to start is saying what you know so others can help with what you don't.
Definitely one of the best hard use steel right now, There are quite a few maker whos said the steel tougher and hold an edge better than CPM-3V at higher hardness. To name those maker they are Strider, Les George and Jeremy Robertson.
Dan Keffeler even said PD1 has capability to be a thinner edge than CPM-M4 due to its outstanding toughness at higher RC.
Dan Keffeler even said PD1 has capability to be a thinner edge than CPM-M4 due to its outstanding toughness at higher RC.
Thats correct I have heard a lot about Striders and always wanted one. My wife bought me (as a gift that I didn't know about) what was available of the colors and scale options at that current time. And I great gift at that
This Strider was my first knife that was not assisted in anyway. Since I had seen multiple videos of Striders being flicked open I figured I would ask for pointers. As for the stick its gotten a lot better since I use it near about everyday.
The main steels I have experience with are AUS-8, S30V, Elmax, S35VN besides the cheaper steels on other Kershaws knives.
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I personally have an El Patron in PD1. I have researched the steel quite a bit. Jeremy went to it after testing it against 3V. That should tell you something. The steel is damn good steel in a hard use folder. That is why Jeremy, Strider, and others use it in those types of knives. It is basically not quite as tough as 3V, but holds an edge a bit better. That's how I have had it explained. I have personally BEAT on 3V steel. If it is anywhere near as tough, it is a very good steel for your Strider.
Thanks I will put some fire clean on it to add some protection. Mine is also Cerakote'd but havent noticed any patina yet from being used when wet
Now, if they could find a way to grind the blades so they actually cut efficiently, we'd have something there.
You better try the 3/4 hollow grind, its behind edge thickness is even thinner than Spyderco's Paramilitary2 about 0.020" IIRC.
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Vegas Blade hit it on the head. In industry it's used as an upgrade for D2 where greater toughness and wear resistance is desired. It has some red hardness but isn't in the same category as M2, CPm M4, etc. as far as red hardness but it isn't classed as a high speed steel so no surprise there. This class of steels originated with a steel called Vascowear made by Vasco Pacific. They dropped the steel production and Crucible took it up calling it Cruwear. They then made a version that would be tougher but with less wear resistance and lower hardness . They removed some Carbon, switched the Tungsten to all Vanadium and used their powder process. 3V was the result and it's excellent.
The Cutlery industry showed interest in Cruwear beginning with Sal & Spyderco although Strider beat them to the punch using smaller runs of 3V, Zapp's Z wear, as well as Carpenter/Latrobe CTS-PD#1. Cruwear has since been made using powder process. which essentially makes these all the same with differences coming more from heat treatment than any composition differences. They are all powder process steels helping the already tough steels be tougher. My Cruwear can be ran at rc 63 and still be plenty tough
All are excellent, fine grained, clean steels and will do good work in hard use knives like Striders, and Vegas Blades El Patron.Corrosion resistance is not quite up to D2 but is not bad. It can vary with the heat treat just like any of the other attributes (wear resistance, toughness).
It seems the market is more ready for this alloy this time around. In the early 80's Vascowear was released by Gerber only in the Sportsman 2 model with "V" steel. Not many made from around 1980 to 86? They were highly sought after rarity's in the days before E-bay. It took me 20 years to get one. Now, I see one of the originals fairly often.
Looking at the well made old gerber and comparing it to today's Spydercos and Striders shows just how far we have come in that time.
Joe
The Cutlery industry showed interest in Cruwear beginning with Sal & Spyderco although Strider beat them to the punch using smaller runs of 3V, Zapp's Z wear, as well as Carpenter/Latrobe CTS-PD#1. Cruwear has since been made using powder process. which essentially makes these all the same with differences coming more from heat treatment than any composition differences. They are all powder process steels helping the already tough steels be tougher. My Cruwear can be ran at rc 63 and still be plenty tough
All are excellent, fine grained, clean steels and will do good work in hard use knives like Striders, and Vegas Blades El Patron.Corrosion resistance is not quite up to D2 but is not bad. It can vary with the heat treat just like any of the other attributes (wear resistance, toughness).
It seems the market is more ready for this alloy this time around. In the early 80's Vascowear was released by Gerber only in the Sportsman 2 model with "V" steel. Not many made from around 1980 to 86? They were highly sought after rarity's in the days before E-bay. It took me 20 years to get one. Now, I see one of the originals fairly often.
Looking at the well made old gerber and comparing it to today's Spydercos and Striders shows just how far we have come in that time.
Joe
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- Feb 9, 2012
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This is what makes this forum so great. Once again, Mastiff steps in with his help and knowledge. I admit, Joe is exactly who I PM'd and asked about this steel.
I have said it before, I say it again. When The Mastiff posts, I read and learn.