Thread: Knife as a tool

Originally Posted by htmitten

There is a good reason that woodworking planes and woodcarving chisels and gouges are made of tool (carbon) steel. A sculpture would not put up with a stainless gouge.

Because most stainless is not made for edge durability, just like construction (non stainless) steel cannot hold an edge.
You make a gouge out of of niolox, 12C27 or similar, and the edge will be at least as good as a carbon steel tool.

Carbon steel, stainless steel..who cares as long as it's good steel that has been heat treated right.

IMHO the Camillus/Ka Bar are the worst :-)

I had a Randall number 1 tool steel balade in the army.

Our company commander wanted uniformity and everyone got a Camillus for X-Mas... I broke mine within a week... got a second one a month later from a friend.. and soon broke that as well.. the tang is terrible.

The Randall is still there 20 years later although I no longer really need a knife these days...

As much as I like my WWII era Ka-Bar, I agree with your comments Chribo. They just aren't as strong as a lot of other knives out there...Well not at the tang anyway. I've always had a preference for full tang knives.


Mick

For a folder I couldn't beat a Swiss Army knife while in the. Army for the first ten years back in the 90's... The leatherman then became the knife of choice... When Benchmade came out with a one hand opener that was light and easy to maitain that became my preferred carry. A knife is a tool, swiss and leathermman provide a great multi-toll when living in the bush. When workong in and around city life you have access to tools and just a good blade is required, well then A light one hand opener is the ticket.

Originally Posted by Chribo

IMHO the Camillus/Ka Bar are the worst :-)

I had a Randall number 1 tool steel balade in the army.

Our company commander wanted uniformity and everyone got a Camillus for X-Mas... I broke mine within a week... got a second one a month later from a friend.. and soon broke that as well.. the tang is terrible.

The Randall is still there 20 years later although I no longer really need a knife these days...

Just curious, what were you doing to break two Ka-Bars?

Originally Posted by htmitten

In my opinion the primary characteristics of a knife (especially a folder) is that it is a tool to be used and that it should be easy to sharpen and to hold an edge. To require extra care to prevent rusting should have no bearing on the steel used. The best steel with these characteristics is carbon steel. In my opinion stainless steel has no use for a folding knife. To me the plethora of stainless steel knives is a disgrace. All or most of the vintage folders and other knives were made with carbon steel and they were not expensive. Now, if one wants to acquire a carbon steel knife, he must pay a ridiculously high price. Personally, I think this situation is unacceptable. Who among you agree?

Whole heartedly, 100% agree. I have to say swedish carbon steel knives have been very good to me, at a very reasonable price. I tried the whole stainless steel (SS) thing and never again will I purchase a SS knife for working wood. My carbon steel whittling knife is so, so good. It isn't a folding knife, it's sheathed but still, the SS version was poor at best. The store that was reasonably priced is called "Clas Ohlson", they have a website and I believe deliver internationally.

Carl.

I hope you're not breaking any UK (anti) knife laws there Carl!


Mick

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Just curious, what were you doing to break two Ka-Bars?

I don't know what Chribo was doing with his, but I know they don't do too well at digging a shell scrape. Especially if that shell scrape was the cause of the demise of your entrenching tool . I actually prefer my Gerber Guardian over the Ka-bar for a fighting knife, but I wouldn't use it for shell scrape digging either.


Mick

I think that both carbon and stainless have their uses.
I like the fact that the blades on a couple of my folders and my leatherman are stainless. They tend to be in my pocket no matter the weather so I like knowing that I don't have to give them as regular a wipe down as other blades. I also have a stainless mora knife that I keep in the emergency kit in my car.
That being said, I frequently have an ESEE Izula on me (made with 1095) and love it. Doesn't like bone cracking on rabbits and the ilk but it does everything else well and takes an edge easily.