Toughest Steel-S7 or 5160

M

me2

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Oct 11, 2003
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Just wondering from those that have used both. 5160 is touted as very tough (able to take impacts). S7 was designed as an air hardening shock resisting steel, so it also sounds pretty tough. 5160 is quite popular, while S7 isnt as well known or used. I ask because I was thinking of making a machete of S7, and a buddy said he saw one from a leaf spring that beat anything he'd ever seen for taking a beating.
 
I second L6. just my 2 cents- no, since it has nickel it is just my 5 cents :D
 
Isn't S7 the steel that anvil's are made out of?

If so, that would explain a lot of the properties of knives made out of this steel.
 
why not make a machete out of each, built to the same specs, and do a review? I bet lots of forumites would appreciate it.
 
I asked Justin at Ranger Knives about this some time ago. S7 is tougher than 5160, enormously tough, but in any normal use it's impossible to notice the difference in toughness. I'd go with 5160, unless you absolutely must have S7. 5160 is very tough, as well.
 
I would love to try some L6, but havent been able to find it in a form I can work with. Does anyone know where to get 1/8" thick bars? I'm leaning heavily toward S7, just because of readily available sizes, but wondered if I'd be missing anything in 5160.
 
S7 does not hold an edge well. it's more suited as a crash axe. I would go for a balance of toughness and edgeholding. I think Crucible's chart shows the comparison well (someone posted it in the A2 vs. 3V thread).
 
Here is a question that has been bugging me for a while. What gives L6 its toughness? I've read that the nickel has something to do with it, but none of the books I have give an explanation. Also, is L6 tougher than S7 overall, or is it very tough at higher hardness than S7 can reach?
 
me2 said:
I would love to try some L6, but havent been able to find it in a form I can work with. Does anyone know where to get 1/8" thick bars? I'm leaning heavily toward S7, just because of readily available sizes, but wondered if I'd be missing anything in 5160.
Click to expand...

Large band saw blades are made from it. Maybe you can get some worn out or broken ones from a lumber mill.
 
From what I've seen on Crucible's site, S7 is tougher than L6 at knife hardnesses (upper 50s HRC) in notched Charpy tests. From my own use; with Gingrich RD-9 knives in S7 and 5160, S7 will only cost more money - the gains in toughness won't be seen even when being an idiot (I got the S7 RD-9 because I wanted to trade in wear-resistance for idiocy-resistance). Both steels (S7 and 5160) are brittle weaklings compared to S1 and S5 (based on da internet, not me chopping stuff knives shouldn't chop).
 
You might want to refer this question to Mete or Kevin Cashen in the Bladesmith/knifemakers's forum for metallurgist's viewpoints.

Syn
 
Mete has already replied to this thread.

Out of the two steels asked about, I would go with 5160, because of its better edge holding.
 
I have used 5160 to make a few large choppers that have performed flawlessly for me. The nice thing is, I just go to the local automotive spring shop and buy it by the pound.= cheap me.:thumbup:;)
 
Thom, do you have a reference for you're info?
Why does 5160 hold a better edge? I really just want to be sure the edge wont loose a big piece if I hit a rock or something like that.
 
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