How long your 1095 knives stay razor sharp ?

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WhoElseButQuagmire

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Sep 19, 2021
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Im curious about that, i always post a similar thread on reddit /knives
My Kabar 5011 dont keep a Razor sharp edge more than 20-30 minute in wood processing (but he stay decently sharp for 2 ou 3 hours )
 
It depends on the materials I’m cutting and usually I’m working with tough abrasive materials and other harsh stuff, that being 1095cv lasts only a few minutes. In my job and lifestyle I don’t have the time to stop and sharpen a dull knife. There might be some that have better heat treatment that can do a bit better but the characteristic of 1095cv is very limited compared to steels that are designed and formulated to have better resistance to abrasive wear, Thus they can cut more material before needing to be sharpened.

In general use and less harsh types of materials 1095cv can last all day and can be easily maintained if you have the time and sharpener to stop and sharpen it when the need arises. So it depends on what you do with it and how laidback your job or lifestyle is.
 
Thanks dude !

gazz98, are you some suggestion ? The sog pillar (s35vn) and the sog bowie (aus8) tempt me

What do you think of theses knives/steel ?
 
Btw, welcome to the forums!

I'd pass on the SOG Bowie and AUS 8. At the price point of $190 (I almost swallowed my gum in surprise), I'd expect much better steel. I'd take the Pillar over the Bowie in a heartbeat. I also like a 4-6" blade in a camping/hiking knife. The 5" Pillar is just about ideal for me. The Bowie is a little big imho.

If you are willing spend $190 or so, I'll throw out some suggestions and even some less expensive options.

If you don't mind FRN and the color (I don't), a Buck and S35VN is hard to beat. You save $ with the lesser handle and sheath material. Buck warranty is :thumbsup: too.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Buck-Pursuit-Pro-Large-Fixed-Blade--115698

Tad shorter than the Pillar with same steel. ESEE has one of the best warranties in the business. Handle *might* be a little on the short side if you have a very large hand like I do (I wear a 2xl glove).
https://www.bladehq.com/item--ESEE-Knives-ESEE-4-Fixed-Blade--118460
Btw, the one 1095 blade I own is an ESEE 5. Nice but the .25 stock is a little too thick imo.

Niolox steel. Almost 13% Cr so almost stainless. My buddy had one, very nice and almost the perfect size and shape imo.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--LionSteel-T5-Fixed-Blade-Knife--111852

I looked up some reviews on the Pillar. It looks like a solid knife too. The only thing that might be a question mark for me is the heat treatment. The steel is part of the equation but the heat treatment on that steel makes a difference too. I don't know enough about SOG and their heat treatment. I have more experience with Buck, ESEE, and Lionsteel.
 
I find the pure edge retention of 1095 to be pretty bad. On par with something like 8Cr. I'm not a huge fan.
 
Live in a tropical country. The sharpness on my GEC folders diminish noticeably after 1 month of storage.
 
I own LOTS of 1095 knives. But I don't own them because they do (or do not) stay sharp for a long time. I like 1095 because it can be made wicked sharp very easily and quickly with low tech/inexpensive stones and is more forgiving of imperfect edge geometry.

And for me - the length of time to potentially have to re-sharpen 1095 more often vs. a supersteel that takes significantly longer to re-sharpen and is more particular with regards to edge profile/bevel evenness for optimum performance, is a trade off that I don't mind at all.
 
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