samuraistuart
Well-Known Member
I need your help! Friend of mine wants a knife, this may turn into a "run" of knives for his hunting business. Steel cost and availability is of concern, but right now I would like your opinion on which steel might come out ahead in edge retention (white tail deer, wild hogs). I have used both, love both, but have not done much testing at all between the two. I know some of you guys (calling the old sailor) use O7 and have probably compared it to 52100. Right now I have narrowed down the list between three possible choices, Blue#2 included, but here is the list of steels that I can get and heat treat IN HOUSE...big concern right now, otherwise I would go with CPM M4 and this would be a mute point.
Which would YOU go with on a hunter?
1095
52100
W2
O1
O7
Blue 2
We may end up going with a stainless steel, probably S35VN, on a higher end production line later, but for now we want carbon steel that I can heat treat (kiln will not reach 1750 solid...so A2 is out).
Any thoughts on those steels, particularly O7 vs Blue 2 vs 52100? Thank you so much!!! (My initial thought is edge retention might be about the same on those three, being hard to distinguish them?)
Which would YOU go with on a hunter?
1095
52100
W2
O1
O7
Blue 2
We may end up going with a stainless steel, probably S35VN, on a higher end production line later, but for now we want carbon steel that I can heat treat (kiln will not reach 1750 solid...so A2 is out).
Any thoughts on those steels, particularly O7 vs Blue 2 vs 52100? Thank you so much!!! (My initial thought is edge retention might be about the same on those three, being hard to distinguish them?)