Stellite 6K real world experience.

[go0dMAN]

I heard this stuff is relatively soft but very high wear resistance. How does it stacks up to steel like ZDP-189 or CPM-S35VN in real world usage?

 

[tiguy7]

I EDC Stellite 6-K and ZDP-189. The 6-K edge is longer lasting than the ZDP-189 in my experience, but both are excellent. 6-K knives are hard to find as is 6-K bar stock. 6-K is used to coat the edge of bulldozer blades to increase wear resistance.
If you abuse a Stellite blade, the edge will roll instead of chipping. Using a piece of 1/4” round steel bar stock clamped in a vise, you can draw the blade along the bar (edge trailing) and straighten the rolled edge.

 

[navman]

I have made a total of 2 knives with stellite 6K and will not be doing it again. As noted the cobalt matrix is very soft while the carbides in the material are what provide the aggressive cutting ability. It is a great material for cutting fibrous materials and flesh, but if it contacts bone or staples it will roll, I even had a blade roll whittling seasoned hard wood. It is essentially rust proof. It grinds well on ceramic belts but drilling requires carbide and it cannot be cut with a bandsaw (without carbide teeth) effectively. For the "cool" factor of having a material that is not seen often, go for it, but modern steels outperform Stellite in my experience.

Tom Mayo is the MASTER of all things Stellite.

 

[go0dMAN]

I EDC Stellite 6-K and ZDP-189. The 6-K edge is longer lasting than the ZDP-189 in my experience, but both are excellent. 6-K knives are hard to find as is 6-K bar stock. 6-K is used to coat the edge of bulldozer blades to increase wear resistance.
If you abuse a Stellite blade, the edge will roll instead of chipping. Using a piece of 1/4” round steel bar stock clamped in a vise, you can draw the blade along the bar (edge trailing) and straighten the rolled edge.

Wow, that does sound awesome! Have you ever use SM-100?

 

[tiguy7]

I have not tried SM-100. I got some 6-K from Mayo’s supplier and his (the supplier’s) protege. I had 3 custom blades made in 6-K. I also have 2 knives in Talonite which is Stellite 6-BH (a wrought alloy). I also have 3 knives in Stellite 6-B which happened to be poured/cast in ceramic molds. I like all Stellite alloys.

 

[Another Shepherd]

zknives: "Stellite 6K(Deloro Stellite) - Not a steel, Cobalt based alloy with very high Chromium content. High wear resistance, but at low hardness it's rather difficult to use. Retains mediocre edge for a long time, no point in polishing the edge, better off with coarse edge. Slightly harder than Stellite 6b, but not a whole lot."

Deloro Stellite Stellite 6K Knife Steel Composition Analysis Graph, Equivalents And Overview Version 4.36

 

[Hashishiin]

I EDC Stellite 6-K and ZDP-189. The 6-K edge is longer lasting than the ZDP-189 in my experience, but both are excellent. 6-K knives are hard to find as is 6-K bar stock. 6-K is used to coat the edge of bulldozer blades to increase wear resistance.
If you abuse a Stellite blade, the edge will roll instead of chipping. Using a piece of 1/4” round steel bar stock clamped in a vise, you can draw the blade along the bar (edge trailing) and straighten the rolled edge.

You're the nut with the 9" Cuda Maxx that makes my Espada XL look like a Dragonfly, aren't you?

 

[tiguy7]

You're the nut with the 9" Cuda Maxx that makes my Espada XL look like a Dragonfly, aren't you?

Guilty as charged.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

I haven't used my Stellite 6K yet but I will. The above info is very useful.

 

[navman]

Here is my one remaining folder I made in Stellite many years ago. Chisel ground wharncliffe. It definitely cuts well, but has a much more toothy edge even than S90V. And before anyone calls me on it, I did license the disc stabilizer from Rick Hinderer.