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Just curious if anyone has a favorite steel for their knives. I'll admit I know very little about knives and bought whatever was cheap in the past without giving it some thought. I'm familiar with 440 etc., but recently have been researching knives. I have an old Airforce survival knife that's 1095. It's been in storage for a few years and there is some rust on it. Cleaned it up and oiled it and it's fine. Recently bought a Bull Dozier KaBar that's made of AUS 8A, and I also bought a Tops Steel Eagle 107C which is 1095. Been looking at other Bob Dozier knives that are made of D2. I've read that it's a mother fu***r to sharpen though, especially in the field. But the appeal of it is it's near stainless and since it holds an edge longer, it doesn't need to be sharpened as frequently. One of my favorite knives I have is a Benchmade automatic made of 154 CM.
Anyway, I've been doing all this research and would like to hear what everyone prefers. I imagine however that people may like a variety of steels for a variety of tasks. For the field, I think I prefer 1095 since it holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen, even with a smooth stone. I'm not concerned about rust. It would take years and years of rust sitting on a blade for it to actually damage it. And, 1095 has been a proven steel in the military and for survival for a very long time. The next KaBar I'm looking to get is 1095 but the Becker BK7 that I also want to get is 1095 CroVan. I'm also looking at the Ontario Rat 7.
Anyone have any thoughts on their favorite type of steel for a knife? Does it even really matter?
Anyway, I've been doing all this research and would like to hear what everyone prefers. I imagine however that people may like a variety of steels for a variety of tasks. For the field, I think I prefer 1095 since it holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen, even with a smooth stone. I'm not concerned about rust. It would take years and years of rust sitting on a blade for it to actually damage it. And, 1095 has been a proven steel in the military and for survival for a very long time. The next KaBar I'm looking to get is 1095 but the Becker BK7 that I also want to get is 1095 CroVan. I'm also looking at the Ontario Rat 7.
Anyone have any thoughts on their favorite type of steel for a knife? Does it even really matter?