Thread: 1095 vs 1095 Cro-Van

Im just wondering if anyone is familiar with 1095 Cro-Van? It's what KABAR is using in stead of 1095 they say it's better because it has chrome and vandium in stead of something and molle. Has any one used it? Is it a good razor material? I've read that it's easier to sharpen and still holds a superb edge. Any thoughts?

I haven't used it myself but have heard talk of it. I will check with some buddy,s that make the rounds on war reenactments. They seem to know everyone that makes knives and such!

Ray

Ok Ka-bar are great knives I've haven't herd anything bad about ka-bar. And people I know that have been in the service said they could shave with their issued Ka-bar but I can shave my arm with my pocket knife but I wanna know if their new steel will give a comfortable shave?

Swerve,

It seems that '1095 Cro-Van' was originally a proprietary steel : Sharon 170-06

Seems roughly similar to O-1 in composition (from A G Russell, A.G. Russell Knives | Steel Guide - A.G. Russell)

Steel Carbon Manganese Chromium Nickel Vanadium Molybdenum Tungsten Cobalt
1095 Cro-Van 0.95-1.1 0.30-0.50 0.40-0.60 0.25 0.161 0.06 — —
O-1 0.85-1.0 1.00-1.40 0.40-0.60 0.3 0.3 — 0.5 —

There is some good information here :

1095 and 1095 cro van

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

It has a hrc of 58-60

Chromium helps form carbides, and they do the work of making steel what it is. Vanadium helps make small carbides and those are much better than large ones.

Very much like O1. I am wholly entertained that after nearly thirty years observing steels come and go that the good old plain steels are sneaking back into the mix. Named differently to keep us all confused.