Why Steel is the Preferred Blade Material for Hunting and Camping Knives
Steel is a versatile metal. It is widely available, is resistant to corrosion, heavy, and very durable. The type of attributes that you want in a material meant to create something as formidable as a hunting and camping knife. Being the most widely used material for making knife blades is not a coincidence. There are countless metals and materials that also make forged blades, but steel trounces them all in many aspects.
We are going to look at the reasons why steel is preferred for making blades, the attributes that make it stand out, and the types of steel that exist in the knife-making world. If you had been thinking of gifting yourself a knife, then this is the perfect piece for you.
Properties of knife steel
Each metal used in the manufacture of a blade comes with its unique properties that makes it ideal for each situation. In the same way, steel has certain qualities that place it at the top of the pyramid as far as knife making materials are concerned. The following are the properties worth noting.
- Hardness: This can be desired as the ability to resist deformation or damage to some extent. Camping and hunting knives are not ordinary tools; they are used for some of the most extreme tasks in the wild, and for this, they have to be very strong. The hardness of a blade correlates with the strength, and it is usually measured using a certain metric called the Rockwell C scale (HRC)
- Toughness: This is the ability to resist chips or cracks that form when the blade is suddenly subjected to an impact or a sudden heavy load. Chipping is, without doubt, the worst damage that a blade can take since there’s very little that can be done to reverse it; it becomes a point of weakness once it manifests itself. Toughness should not be conflated with hardness; in many cases, the harder the steel blade, the lower the toughness, and vice versa.
- Water Resistance: This is the blade’s ability to resist adhesive and abrasive wear. Abrasive wear is what happens when hard particles pass over a softer surface, while adhesive wear is when debris dislodged from another surface attaches itself to another. The blade has to keep these two forces at bay throughout its use. It will eventually succumb to them; the difference is the time it takes for that to happen.
- Corrosion Resistance: Rust is the leading cause of degradation for most metals; there are very few of them that are able to resist corrosion, and steel is one of them. A good blade should be able to maintain its luster and overall attributes even when it comes into contact with moisture, something that is totally unavoidable as it is constantly in the air. A point to note, however, is that a high resistance to corrosion is directly proportional to the overall loss of edge performance.
- Edge Retention: The sharpness of a blade is very important, and the entire functioning of the knife depends on that. A good blade should have a high edge retention allowing the blade to be used for long without any constant need for sharpening as that thins out the blade. Steel has a better edge retention compared to other metals like aluminum.
- Blade Geometry: This is a factor that determines how easy the blade cuts into a material by taking advantage of the thickness and the grind. The weight of the blade is very important; the heavier it is, the faster the cut and vice versa. Using a knife with a light blade will only lead to you exerting more pressure and force just to make a single slice.
Types of Knife Steel
The steel used in making hunting and camping knives come in varying types, strengths, and attributes, each meant for a specific function. Before choosing that steel blade, you will be better off knowing the different types that exist. They include the following:
Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel for blades usually ranges from 1045 to 1095. The numbers have a specific meaning attached to them. 1045, for instance, means that the amount of carbon in that mixture is 45%, while 1095 means it is 95% carbon. What this also means is that a 1095 carbon steel blade will be more restaurant to wear and tear compared to the 1045, but it would be less tough. The only drawback to carbon steel is that it rusts easily if it is not oiled well. You should store it properly after every use to increase its shelf life. Carbon steels are also very expensive.
Alloy Steel
Alloy steels are made by combining steel with another compatible metal like chromium. Most times, they are better and stronger than regular steel blades due to the addition of chromium, which adds more strength and resistance to rust. The amount of carbon in these alloy steels is usually minimal, and this affects how the knife lasts in the long run. However, in good care, an alloy steel blade will serve you for a very long time; just ensure they are kept well and oil as regularly as possible.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the most common type of steel and the most preferred due to its high resistance to corrosion. They have a very low carbon content, due in part to the heat treatment they undergo to make them stainless. Depending on the type of stainless steel used for the blade, the knife may have varying strengths when it comes to hardness, toughness, and edge retention. There are two types of stainless steel that exist; 420 and 440. The former is much weaker and chips easily, while the latter is a bit stronger and more preferred by knife makers.
Tool Steel
Tool steels are carbon steels that have had some other elements added to them to increase the strength, resistance to corrosion, and overall durability. The most popular tool steel frequently used for most knives is called the A2, and it boasts excellent toughness and hardness. But it is equally susceptible to rust if it is well cared for, so you may want to invest in blade oils and a good sheath for proper storage. If you plan to use your camping or hunting knife for tough jobs in the wild, you may want to go with toll steels as they are well suited for that kind of job.
Austenitic Steel
Austenitic steel contains 26% chromium and 35% nickel, and they have one of the highest corrosion resistance of any blade around. They are nonmagnetic and come in three main types; austenitic, ferritic, and martensitic. The material is usually subjected to intense heat treatments of about 800 degrees, and this is what imparts the toughness and takes out the rigidness and brittleness. Blades made from these materials are not cheap, which is not surprising considering how durable and strong they are. They don’t chip easily, and their edge retention is very high. You are assured of clocking several years using this blade.
CPM Steel
CPM steel is a special type of alloy that is made using a method that yields a higher grade blend of metals to produce a blade that is better at everything. CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) comes with its own set of advantages when used for knife blades. It is treated with sulfur which increases its durability and strength. On top of that, its grindability is excellent, which means you can sharpen it many times over without ever worrying about the blade thinning out too much.
Maxamet Steel
When it comes to edge retention, Maxamet steel is the king. The steel is the brainchild of CarpenterTechnology, a company that deals in the manufacture of blades and the research of metals of all kinds. It is a blend of carbon and tungsten, a combination that gives it the durability and strength needed to make for a reliable blade that can handle just about anything. On top of having one of the best sharpness, the steel variant also scores highly on the corrosion and water resistance. You’ll spend years using this balde without a need for repairs or replacements.
Conclusion
Steel continues to be the go-to option for knife makers. It is cheaper than carbon and titanium and stronger than aluminum. This places smack in the middle as the most sensible option to go for. It may not be perfect material, but it does get the job done. With a little maintenance, there’s no telling how long it would last you, but you can be assured of reliability when you need it the most. For more information on knives, visit our website and go through the resources we have prepared just for you.
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Article source: Why Steel is the Preferred Blade Material for Hunting and Camping Knives| Shieldon
