What Knife Blades Are Made Of

Steel Knife Blades

•A-2 and 0-1 - Are tool steels with very high carbon content. They offer excellent edge holding and these alloys must have frequent maintenance to prevent rust.

•D-2 - is a high carbon tool steel that has a high chromium content. It has better stain and rust resistance than A-2 and 0-1. One of the finest steels made for edge retention.

•Damascus Steel - Is simply a high carbon steel that takes on a layered appearance, because of certain methods used during the manufacturing process. It is attractive, tough, flexible and holds an edge well.


Non-Steel Knife Blades

•Titanium - Is extremely rust resistant and is non-magnetic. Popular as expensive used as dive knives with the Navy Seals.

•Ceramics - Numerous knives have been offered with ceramic blades. Usually, those blades are very brittle, and can not be sharpened by the user. They do hold an edge well and Boker and Kyocera make some knives with this material.



Stainless Steels:

•420 - Lower carbon content than the 440 series makes this steel very soft, and it doesn't hold an edge well. Normally used for cheaper knives.

•440A - 440B - 440C - All three resist rust well, with 440A being the most resistant and 440C the least. If your knife is marked with just 440, it is probably the less expensive 440A. In general the 440A is just good enough for everyday use, 440B is a solid performer and 440C being excellent.

•425M and 12C27 - Both of these are very similar to 440A. 425M is used by Buck Knives. 12C27 is a Scandanavian steel.

•AUS-6 - Japanese stainless steel, roughly compared to 440A.

•AUS-8 - Japanese stainless steel, roughly compared to 440B.

•AUS-10 - JapaSimilarnese stainless steel, roughly compared to 440C.

•GIN-1 - A steel with slightly less carbon, a little more chromium, and alot less moly than ATS-34. Used by Spyderco, a very good stainless steel.

•ATS-34 - Very high carbon content, giving it a very good edge retention.

•ATS-55 - Similar to ATS-34, but without the moly and some other elements added. Looks like the attempt to get the ATS-34 edge with increased toughness. Spyderco is using this steel also.

•BG-42 - Similar to the ATS-34, with two major differences. It has twice the amount of manganese and has vanadium added. These additives make an even better edge holding.

•CPM T440V and CPM T420V - Two steels that hold an edge better than ATS-34, but difficult to get the edge there. Don't expect the toughness of ATS-34.
 
 
 
article provided by Cheaper Than Dirt

SOG Flash II Knife Review -- By Montezuma

I picked this knife up from Lowes actually, but as of right now there is a better price for it at Amazon. I've had this blade for a month or two now and have been very pleased so far.




Specifications:

Blade Length	3.5" x .125"
Overall Length	8"
Weight	3.1 oz.
Edge	Partially Serrated
Steel	AUS 8
HRC	57-58
Handle	Zytel
Finish	Satin
Sheath	N/A

SOG is well known for their knives and the Flash II is not a disappointment. The 3.5" blade is excellent for daily chores, food prep, etc. AND at 3.1oz is light weight enough for an Everyday Carry. The clip is well designed and allows for a secure, flush storage in a pocket.

As the name implies, the Flash series of knives are easy to open and deploy. They are equipped with SOG Assisted Technology™ (S.A.T.), which employs a powerful piston lock that is easily released with a sliding button.

One feature that I am not crazy about is the "safety". There is a small lock that could be activated while in your pocket and could slow down your ability to get this knife deployed if you really did need it in a hurry. I have heard other people say that they have overcome this by putting a little bit of super glow on the safety switch, but I have yet to get to it and honestly I haven't had any situations arise that made me feel that this was really critical to take care of immediately.

Ontario Survival Knife Review - By Montezuma

Once upon a time, I was in the USMC, attached to an F-18 Squadron. My job was to equip and inspect the survival gear that the pilots carried (or in some cases carried them -- as in parachutes).

One of the items that the pilots were equipped with was the Ontario 499 and I managed to pick up a used one, in "unservicable" condition (mine doesn't have the original sheath) back in the day. I have had this knife with me for about 15 years now... at the time I got it, I liked it because it looked a little bit like the USMC Ka-Bar.

Features: 5" 1095 carbon steel blade .1875" thick, with blood groove, saw tooth back and zinc phosphate finish, natural leather handle with metal cross guard and steel butt cap, and natural leather sheath with sharpening stone and tie down.

Some things that I love about this knife is first and foremost - DURABILITY. Quite honestly, I have treated this blade horrible. Most of the time it has been stuffed in a tool box or in a junk drawer..., but anytime that there was a bump in the night or box that needed opening, I found this knife handy.

Ontario, in recent years, has gained notoriety for their RAT 3 and RAT 5 knives, but at double the price of the 499.  

Once I started getting serious about preparing for my survival future, I dug out my trusty 499... freshened up the blade a little and what I have found is a very nice knife for the price. 

A great feature, that I have found myself using many more times than I care to admit, is the butt end of the handle. It is equipped with a hex end that is designed as bludgeoning device (hammer). Versatility is critical in a survival situation and this is something that you just don't get in many other "High End" knives.

The blade is also equipped with a saw on the top of the blade... I have not had an opportunity to use this feature and I don't know that it would be first choice to cut a tree branch, but it does give it some Rambo like qualities... LOL 

Streamlight Sidewinder Review - By Montezuma

For those of you familiar with the Vietnam Era Military Flashlight, you will be very pleased to know that it only took 30 plus years for a make-over, but it is here:

Let me introduce you to the Streamlight Sidewinder:

There are some great features on the Sidewinder worth mentioning:

•Height: 4.65" Width: 2.34" Weight: 5.02 oz.

•C4® LED, 50,000 hour lifetime

•Pull and rotate locking color selector knob to attain desired color

•Double click button to initiate strobe function from "Off" position

•Push and hold button for light output levels

•Pull-to-turn locking rotary selector knob prevents accidental mode changes.

•Powered by 2 "AA" batteries.

•Also accepts 2 "AA" lithium batteries, which allow extended operation and use in extreme temperatures (-40˚F - 150˚F)

•Mounts to MOLLE or ACH for hands-free use

•O-ring sealed for waterproof operation. Meets MIL-STD-810F, Method 512.4

There 4 illumination sources: White C4 LED; IR LED; Red LED; Blue LED

The flashlight features a 185˚ tilting head and belt or web clip to allow positioning of the illumination source at the work area, which is a great feature to allow you to attach the light to a pack for hands free map reading or stand it up on a flush surface to help illuminate a work area.

While output is less than what can be found in tactical or gun mounted lights, it would be hard to find a better light for a bug out bag, vehicle kit or travel companion. For EDC (Every Day Carry) or purely tactical purposes I would not select this light.

For details on the various runtimes an light outputs: Runtime and Light Output

You can find a couple of different options on Amazon here: Streamlight Sidewinder