your thoughts on different kinds of steel

[PB Wilson]

John- I know you're under the weather, so get to this when you can.

I was wondering about what kinds of steel you prefer to use for each model knife you make.

What are the pros/cons in your mind to the steel you grind, shape, polish and eventually use?

 

[JK Knives]

I prefer O1 to all other steels, but some customers wanted 1095, so I learned to heat treat it too. Years ago when I was first starting in tool and die work we used O1 for the dies for metal stamping. It`s tough stuff! I do like using 1095 on my "old timey" style knives, it just seems "right."

 

[udtjim]

What problems does it pose to work with some of the stainless steels?

 

[JK Knives]

I do my heat treating in a forge, so stainless is out for me. I would love to buy a heat treating furnace down the road, but the money is not available now.

 

[pitdog]

If I see a knife is stainless now I just pass it up straight away and look at the next. The only advantage, as I see it, is that a stainless knife requires a little less maintenance but to have the many other benefits of good old fashioned high carbon is surely worth a little extra maintenance !