DC53 steel in modern fixed blades today?

[Sid Post]

How does DC53 fair in terms of general knife steel today? I get that is a more of a cold die "work" steel similar to D2 with less carbon. Various threads on this site and other places suggest grain size is smaller than D2. I get it isn't a modern super steel in modern terms from CPM and others but, not every knife needs to be super costly and out of the latest and greatest blade steel.

I am specifically looking at a Kephart pattern out of China in DC53 against a more expensive option out of South America in carbon steel. I'm not looking for an >$300 custom or even >$100 for a simple production carbon steel either.

I want to try the pattern and see how it works for me before I start considering a premium option.

TIA,
Sid

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I've said that the kephart style is probably the best knife style, or at least one of the best....

I wouldn't waste my time, get the maker that you want.
Becker BK 62 is one of the better production one. For the low cost....it's pretty great. I have 2
It's 1095 steel.

Other steels like 1084, 80crv2, 15n20, 52100 would be better.

Slightly better still, again might be AEB-L at 62HRC

Again, Kephart is a great pattern!

 

[Alberta Ed]

Kabar/Becker's BK62 Kephart steel is 1095 Cro/Van, a.k.a. Carbon V/0170-6/50100-B, one of my favorite steels. My first acquaintance with this steel was in Cold Steel's Master Hunter. Very tough, easy to sharpen, holds a very fine edge a long time. It takes a nice patina. Rust is not a worry if you keep it clean and store it using a rust preventive (oil, BreakFree CLP, wax, Vaseline, etc.). Kabar's BK62 Kephart replica is as close to the original as you can get. Plus it's made in the US, along with the sheath, which is a good sturdy design using decent leather.