Blade steel for defensive knives

W

W.T. Beck

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Jul 9, 2001
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This subject came up on another thread, and I think it is worthy of it's own thread. The question is, does blade steel matter in a defensive knife? In response to a question about which small EDC defensive to carry, one member pointed out that blade steel should not be a major concern, because a defensive knife will not be used much for cutting, if at all.

For example, suppose one has a choice between two similar defensive knives - one made with AUS-6 and the other with ATS-34. The knife made with ATS-34 will have better edge holding, but does that really matter? A defensive knife will only be used for a few cuts at the most, and most likely never at all.

Perhaps there are other reasons to choose the ATS-34 knife, which I am overlooking. Any thoughts on the subject will be appreciated.
 
I'm no expert or anything and I don't carry a knife for self defence. But I think blade steel does matter in that I would choose a knife of low grade steel, a cheap knife, but of sound construction.

My reasons for this are that you are not likely to have the knife after its use. Either you panic after doing the deed, chuck the knife and leg it, or it gets taken from you as part of investigation/evidence by police. Either way you probably won't be able to keep it. So there is just no point in spending massive amounts of cash on a super-steel, titanium, carbon fiber, whatever. Keep those for your collection.

:)
 
Well, I would think that the actual steel used is not quite as important as proper heat treating and tempering of that steel. A knife used in a SD situation might need to penetrate clothing, and clash against buttons, buckles, bone, etc. You would not want a knife that is overly brittle and prone to chipping.

I believe that edge geometry is also more important that the choice of steel. If your knife is strictly for defense, then a chisel ground blade, or one with a steep v-grind is more suitable.

IMHO.
 
Steel choise depends how many knives you carry. If you really carry one for defence and another for utility then I'd say that more stainresistant of two steels that you can sharpen to same sharpness is better. Reason is that micro corrosion attacks first to edge - before there is any visible corrosion on blades body edge has "rusted" away.

If you use the knife at all in utility tasks you want it to be sharp when need comes. For not purely SD knife edgeholding is big plus.

Different steel allow different blade geometries - same side profile but different blade angles is different knife. I can't tell if Aus-6 can be used in same agles as ATS-34 (ATS is stronger so it should be able to take more acute geometry but I'm not 100% sure). If it is capable taking same geometry then Aus-6 used only as SD knife could do better than ATS as it is more stain resistant.
 
do most people really carry 2 knives. i personally just carry my benchmade 550 and us it to cut my apples or whatever else i need to cut. however i did buy the knife with the concern of possible having to use it in SD. now i once read that most people would be more proficient with a knife they use everyday then one they just carry for SD and never use. to me this is realistic.

james
 
Whether its really necessary and/or logical I carry more than 2 knives, usually at least three if not four. 1) Policeman/fireman specific for emergency cutting of seatbelts prying etc. Either a Colt firman or MT Vector. 2) A large utility knife. Usually a Gerber Combat Folder. 3) An office use utility. Usually a William Henry or a BM 942. 4)A self defense knife. Usually a MOD Tempest. And I like the MOD for the grind, the thick choil and the secure grip. Its 154 steel, but not really sure that its that important.

By the way I'm a Security Supervisor stuck out in the middle of the desert, so my case may not be the usual for knife carrying.
 
Well, I have changed my mind on this issue several times, but here is what i think at the moment. I think that you are better off buying a good quality knife made of good, properly heat treated steel and using it on a regular basis for day to day chores than buying a nicely designed but cheaper (i.e. not a good steel) knife and carrying it strictly as a defensive knife.

Part of being able to use the knife well under stress is the smooth retreval and presentation of it. I find it much easier to just go the folder that is clipped in my pocket that I already use 10 - 20 times a day to open mail, cut boxes and open bags of coffee. Even with my Benchmades and Spydercos I end up touching up the edge once or twice a week on a steel or strop, but my hands are used to reaching for those knives and go to them naturally.
 
Interesting thread. I do carry 2 knives, one (usually a 440C Griptilian) dedicated to SD, and never used for utility cutting.

I agree that a lo-tech steel, like 440C, is acceptable for a pure SD blade, on the theory that ultimate edge-holding isn't necessary for this application. Especially since Benchmade's 440C seems to be well-regarded by those who know more about such things than me.

Shane45-1911 makes an interesting point about geometry being more important than steel, which I think is probably true. However, peace-of-mind is also important to me, and a lock like the Griptilian's Axis give me more POM than any liner-lock.

And regarding liquid's point, being familiar with a knife is critical in SD situations, but utility cutting isn't going to give you what you need. If you want to be able to use a knife in a SD situation without having to think about every move you make, you need to train with the knife - practice grips, manipulations, slashes and thrusts. Cutting up your lunch every day isn't going to prepare you for an armed confrontation. And in that situation, you want your moves to be second nature.

miguel
 
Interesting replies so far. What I gather from these replies is that blade steel matters in that the steel should be suitable for blade geometry needed in a defensive knife. Does anyone know what steels are best for this purpose ?
 
My take - practiaclly any cutlery steel will make for a defensive blade. So AUS6, AUS8, VG10, the various 440's, ATS-34, BG42, 1095, 5160, 52100, etc. will do just fine. Look for a well designed knife that you like and don't lose too much sleep over the steel type.
 
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