Define durability

B

Bo-dacious

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Aug 13, 2016
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Hey guys, I've been studying knife steels and characteristics and I thought I had all the characteristics memorized until I read that a page called a knife durable. Most people wouldn't think twice about this but in the knife world the meanings of words are specific to the knife world. So guys, what does durability mean when it comes to knife steel. I looked around online and couldn't find a definition. It it like strength? Or toughness? Or something else all together?

Thanks guys,

Bo
 
For what and who determines things.

My knives just cut stuff, so it's only with machetes that " durability " is a word that even enters my mind when I use them.
I want them to hold a decent edge while dinging rather than chipping when I hit a rock , which is something I do every time as it's just the nature of their use around my yard.
 
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Not to be flip, but maybe a hour or so Googling things like "materials science terms" might help.

It doesn't turn someone like me who isn't a materials scientist or metallurgist into one, and it doesn't help me remember the difference between strength or hardness, but all the information is readily available and easily graspable on the superficial level that satisfies a non scientist like me. Like figuring out that "durability" isn't a term used in those sciences.
 
du·ra·bil·i·ty
ˌd(y)o͝orəˈbilədē/
noun
noun: durability
the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.
"the reliability and durability of plastics"
synonyms: imperishability, durableness, longevity; More
 
Not a technical steel term . Used more to refer to the whole knife , materials and construction . Implies a product resistant to breakage and normal wear and tear . Long lasting in service .
 
Danke42 said:
du·ra·bil·i·ty
ˌd(y)o͝orəˈbilədē/
noun
noun: durability
the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.
"the reliability and durability of plastics"
synonyms: imperishability, durableness, longevity; More
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Busse is a bad ass durable blade.
 
Danke: yes, I know the definition of durability. But I thought it had a specific meaning like I said "when it comes to steel". Other characteristics such as toughness have a specific meaning in knife making. That's why I asked.

Docjd: right on, that's what I'm lookin for.

Thanks guys,

Bo
 
Bo-dacious said:
Danke: yes, I know the definition of durability. But I thought it had a specific meaning like I said "when it comes to steel". Other characteristics such as toughness have a specific meaning in knife making. That's why I asked.

Docjd: right on, that's what I'm lookin for.

Thanks guys,

Bo
Click to expand...
Words don't have different meanings. Toughness in steel is the same as toughness in a human being.

When in comes to knives avoid "marketing speak" and things should be clearer.
 
Danke: but toughness in human beings doesn't go along with softness. I'm tough, but my teeth still chip if I bite down on something hard.

Bo
 
Bo-dacious said:
Ohhh okay. Yeah I was pretty sure that it wasn't one of the characteristics.

Thanks guys,

Bo
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I hope I didn’t come across as condescending. I’m out campsite camping at a family reunion, so I was trying to be efficient in my reply to avoid being nose-to-phone.

I appreciate your replies here, sir
 
When I hear the words "knife durability" I dont only think about the blade steel its made of, but the overall construction of the knife as a whole.
My Hinderer xm-18 is going to be a more "durable" or robustly built knife than the stereotypical gas station variety...
 
Rbid: oh, not at all. I don't think you were condescending.

Brandoak: okay, I understand now.

Thanks guys,

Bo
 
Subjective depending on the needs of the user. Also, everything is a trade-off.

M390 will hold an edge for a very long time at the cost of sharpening ease and price.
Spyderco H1 will literally not corrode in salt water, but it cannot hold an edge compared to relatively average steels like VG-10.
Carbon steel is easy to sharpen and takes a keen edge (and holds it well), but it is more subject to oxidation than stainless steels.

Decide what you need and what will be most durable for YOUR circumstances.
 
jprime84 said:
Subjective depending on the needs of the user. Also, everything is a trade-off.

M390 will hold an edge for a very long time at the cost of sharpening ease and price.
Spyderco H1 will literally not corrode in salt water, but it cannot hold an edge compared to relatively average steels like VG-10.
Carbon steel is easy to sharpen and takes a keen edge (and holds it well), but it is more subject to oxidation than stainless steels.

Decide what you need and what will be most durable for YOUR circumstances.
Click to expand...

Highlighting this for fun with perspective. VG-10 is fair to describe as “average” within the knife community. I don’t think any of us would dispute that.

If you were to stop 100 randoms with pocket knives and look at what they were carrying, VG-10 would be a super steel compared to most of it. Spending time in this crowd, and knowing where to find even better steels, it’s easy to forget how good so many steels that we shrug at really are. VG-10, 154CM, S30V, etc. We look at those now and go, “meeehhhh. I think I’ll get the upgraded Grip with 20CV.”
 
Jprime: right on, good info.

Rbid: yeah I always thought that vg10 was on the higher side of average for a steel. There are so many steels worse than it, yet a lot of steels are better.

Thanks guys,

Bo
 
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