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KNIFE MATERAIL

THE MAKING & SHAPING OF STEEL

Steel is essentially a combination of iron and carbon. All steels contain certain other elements in small controlled amounts, like manganese, sulfur, silicon, and phosphorus. If nothing else is present, the steel is referred to as plain carbon steel. Steels used for knife blades are enhanced with additional elements and are called alloy steels. It is these additions that give the various types of steel their special properties. Alloy steels that have additions to make them corrosion resistant are labeled Stainless Steels, and these are the steels most frequently used in making knife blades.

The making of Stainless Steel begins by melting scrap steel (old cars) in a furnace. Alloying elements are added to the melt, and the molten steel is poured into molds called ingots. Once the ingots have solidified they are processed in a mill to make usable shapes and sizes. Plates are turned into knife components by laser cutting and coils are shaped into components using a fine blanking press.

Properties of Steel
The selection of steel for specific applications is based on the properties of the steel and other factors like cost, delivery, and ease of fabrication. These properties are established by the alloy additions made to steel and by the methods used in its manufacture. Some of the important properties of blade steel are:

1. Hardness is a measure of the material's ability to resist permanent deformation and is related the strength.
2. Hardenability is the ability of steel to be hardened.
3. Strength is the material's ability to resist applied forces.
4. Ductility is the material's ability to flex or bend without fracturing.
5. Toughness is the ability of a material to absorb energy prior to fracturing.
6. Edge Retention is the ability of a material to resist abrasion and wear.
7. Initial Sharpness is the sharpness of the blade “out of the box”.
8. Corrosion Resistance is the ability of a material to resist deterioration as a result of reaction with its environment.
9. Manufacturability is the ease in which the material can be machined, blanked, ground, and heat-treated.
10. Cost is basically the cost of the raw material.

Since no single material is superior in all property categories, knives are usually made from materials that offer the optimum properties for the purpose intended.

Steel Nomenclature
The nomenclature that is used to describe the types of steel and their properties is often derived from the internal structure of metals. As steel is heated and cooled, its internal structure undergoes changes. The structures formed during these changes are given names like austenite and martensite. Martensite is a very hard structure that can be formed by rapidly cooling certain types of steel during heat-treating. Steels that are capable of forming martensite are called martensitic steels and it is this type of steel that is of most interest to the cutlery industry. S30V, BG-42, ATS-34 and 420HC are all martensitic stainless steels.

Alloy Additions
The properties of steel can be altered by the addition of certain elements to the steel during the melting process. The alloying elements that are important to knife making are listed with a brief description of how they affect the steel's properties.

1. Carbon is not actually an alloying element since it is present in plain carbon steels, nonetheless, increasing carbon increases hardness.
2. Chromium improves hardenability, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. It is a major element in martensitic stainless steels, which are most commonly used for sports cutlery applications.
3. Molybdenum improves hardenability, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance, particularly pitting.
4. Nickel improves toughness, hardenability and corrosion resistance. Nickel is a major element in Austenitic stainless steel that is sometimes used for dive knives.
5. Vanadium improves hardenability and promotes fine grains. Grain structure in steels is another important factor in wear resistance and strength. Generally fine grain structures are desirable.

Types of Steel
Steel makers follow a precise recipe to ensure that each time they make a particular alloy it has correct properties. The recipes are known as Specifications, and they specify the amount of each alloy. Each alloy recipe or type is named according to a number convention. Martensitic stainless steels, for example, have numbers like Types 410, 420, and 425.

Blade Steels:

S30V: Developed primarily for the cutlery industry by Crucible Steel, S30V contains noticeably higher amounts of Carbon and Vanadium than does BG-42. This increase in Carbon and Vanadium provides superior edge holding and abrasion resistance. S30V is the best blade steel available today.

1. Superior edge holding
2. Highest initial sharpness
3. Improved ductility
4. Good hardness- ideal range Rc 59.5-61
5. Good corrosion resistance
6. Very high amounts of Carbon and Vanadium

BG-42: A proprietary alloy of Timken Latrobe Steel is a high-performance bearing grade martensitic stainless steel used in the aerospace industry. Because of its high strength and ability to reach high Rockwell hardness, Rc 61-62, BG-42 is well suited for blades that are subjected to extreme use.

1. Very good edge holding ability
2. High initial sharpness
3. High strength
4. Rockwell Rc 61-62
5. Fair corrosion resistance
6. Contains Vanadium improving hardenability and a fine grain structure

ATS-34: A proprietary product of Hitachi Steel Company, ATS-34 is a very high carbon stainless steel with the addition of Molybdenum. Because ATS-34 provides better edge retention than standard cutlery (stainless) steels, it is a good choice for blades that require heavier cutting applications.

1. Very good edge holding ability
2. High initial sharpness
3. Rockwell Rc 60-61
4. Good toughness when double tempered
5. Fair corrosion resistance
6. Less expensive than BG-42 and S30V

420HC: A higher carbon version of the standard Type 420 martensitic stainless steel. The carbon content combined with the high Chromium content provides for good abrasion resistance and edge holding. This steel is not to be confused with standard 420 stainless steel. 420HC is an excellent general-purpose knife (stainless) steel when heat-treated.

1. Good edge holding ability
2. Very good initial sharpness
3. Re-sharpens well
4. Rockwell Rc 58
5. Good toughness
6. Very good corrosion resistance
7. Fine-blankable
8. Excellent standard knife steel

17-7 PH: A chromium-nickel-aluminum precipitation hardening stainless steel. The alloy is used for high strength applications that require salt-water corrosion resistance. 17-7PH offers a good compromise between Martensitic stainless steels (heat-treatable) and Austenitic (300 series) stainless steels (non heat-treatable). This is due to the high Chromium, Nickel and Aluminum content.

1. Moderate edge holding
2. Very good toughness
3. Excellent corrosion resistance
4. Rockwell Rc 54-56

For additional steels used in knife making see A Glossary Of Knife Terms.

Legal Notice to Customers:
By purchasing product(s) on this website, you agree that you have read, understood and complied with the following:

Due to the complex and changing nature of knife laws, it is your responsibility, not HIGH CALIBER KNIVES', to investigate and comply with international, federal, state and local laws relating to the purchase, possession, use, transport and resale of knives. Consult applicable laws if you are in doubt. By placing an order, you represent that the product(s) will be used in a lawful manner and you are of legal age. Absolutely no sales will be made to minors. You agree to hold HIGH CALIBER KNIVES harmless from failure to comply with these terms and conditions of sale.

HIGH CALIBER KNIVES MAKE FOR GOOD HUNTING OR FISHING

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EXOTIC WOOD KNIFE HANDLES

Wood that is used in making a knife handle is generally what we call “hard wood's”. These woods are tight or close grained, take to finishing well (including stains) and include Oak, Hickory, Walnut and Apple as examples. The following is only a representative listing of some the different types of exotic wood knife handles that are available:

	African Blackwood is an exceptionally dense, very hard wood that works well and needs no finish. It is a rich dark brown with contrasting tan to set off the figure. Look's good on any fine knife. Weighs 82 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Arizona Ironwood is a rich golden brown wood with strong chocolate brown to black figure. It is very heavy, hard, oily, and finishes to a smooth satin finish. It makes a beautiful presentation knife when paired with gold or brass hardware. The best grades, i.e. figure and color, come from deep in the Mexican Sonoran desert and are becoming very scarce. Supplies are dwindling and prices increasing. The presentation grades are the most beautiful of all woods. Weighs 68 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Bloodwood is brilliantly colored wood and, as the name implies, is a rich deep red with undertones of purple, but very little figure, which makes for a nice knife handle accent. It is not as dense and heavy as some other woods, but is free from warpage and shrinkage. Weighs 60 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Bocote is a yellow to brown with black stripes. Often highly figured with eyes, appears oily with a medium luster. Will wear well as a knife handle. Hard and heavy. Takes a natural polish. Found in Mexico and Central America. Weighs 50-60 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Brazilian Rosewood is a heavy, dense wood that is naturally oily and needs no sealer. Color varies from light rose to dark violet with irregular black stripes. It grows in Braziland varies greatly in color, depending on the area in which it is grown. Another excellent knife handle material. Weighs 47-56 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Cocoboloone of the most colorful woods available, varies from red to black, gold and yellow. It is imported from panama, Cost Rica and Nicaragua. The dust resulting from sawing and sanding is hazardous to those who are allergic to it. A good mask should be worn while processing. Despite this problem, it is one of the all time favorites for knife handles. Very durable. Commonly found in collector or limited edition knives. Weighs 60-77 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Ebony exists in many varieties, varying from black (from Gabon, Central West Africa and Ceylon) to black streaked with yellow and yellowish brown (from East India). All ebony is hard and dense, and, as a result, is durable and takes a very fine polish for a knife handle. A Macassar Ebony is black striped with grey-tan. Commonly found in high end knives. Weighs 50-75 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Honduras Rosewood is another variety of the rosewood family with the same characteristics. It is heavy, hard and has some natural oil. Honduras varies from a light tan to a light purple in color, generally lighter than Brazilian. A nice addition to any knife handle. It grows in Honduras and weighs 56-68 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Kingwood is a dense, hard wood with blue to purple figure-either a highly figured pattern or closely spaced lines, depending upon the way it is cut. Dresses up the appearance of the knife handle. This wood is imported from Mexico. Weighs 75 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Madrone Burl color is light pink to reddish brown. Highly figured with eyes or a beautiful flame pattern. Fine texture and takes a nice polish for a knife handle. Comes from Northwestern U.S.A. Weighs 45-50 lbs. per cubic ft.
	Maple (Bird's-eye, Curly, and Fiddleback) are all white or cream to light brown in color. Bird's-eye has small eyes scattered throughout the surface. Curly has wavy lines that make shell pattern or parallel curving lines depending on the direction in which is sawed. Fiddleback possesses parallel lines of wavy grain from 1/8" to 1/4" apart. All of these figures can be enhanced by staining and sanding. The stain penetrates into the figure more deeply than does the surrounding area. Makes for an interesting pattern on a knife handle. Results in a darker figures against a very tight background. Weighs 45 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Padauk is a dense, easy working wood that is rich red to orange-red with alternate layers of hard and soft open grain. It is a beautiful, exotic wood highly prized because of its coloration. When exposed to light, this wood becomes a rich brown with red undertones. Provides an unique aspect to a knife handle. Weighs 45 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Pink Ivory is one of the rare and more expensive knife handle woods that is found in South Africa. It is bright pink to pale red, very dense and hard. The texture is very fine and takes a beautiful high polish. This wood is stocked based on availability, which is sporadic, so its price fluctuates. As a knife handle material it wears well. Weighs 70 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Purpleheart or Amaranth originates in Mexico, Central America, Brazil and British Guyana. It is dull brown in color which turns to a deep purple upon exposure to air. It has little figure, even texture, hard and heavy, and works well. Although not as dramatic as other knife handle material it will wear well under hard usage, even though it must be sealed. Weighs 65 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Snakewood is native to British Guyana and South America. It has a reddish-brown tone with irregular black speckles or stripes. this wood is often called leopardwood. It has a fine texture and takes a beautiful finish. It is a very rare and expensive wood. If you are a collector of fine knives and find a knife with this wood, it is well worth the price. The availability this wood is also sporadic and our prices vary with shipments. Weighs 75-84 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Thuya Burl is golden red with shades of brown burls. It is moderately hard and heavy. It works well with tools and polishes to a fine luster. It is relatively rare and therefore expensive, but well worth the price for the knife handle. It is imported from Algeria and Morocco. Availability dictates size and price of this wood. Weighs 42 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Tulipwood is a very colorful Brazilian hard wood with striking mauve, violet or rose-red stripe contrasted by creamy yellow. It is a strong, dense wood that is not particularly easy to work. It attains a high natural polish. It is very suitable for knife handles. This wood tends to darken when exposed to light but retains a rosy hue. Weighs 60 lbs. per cubic foot.
	Wenge color is dark brown to black with fine black veining knife handle wood. Hard and heavy, a coarse texture but works easily. Comes from Congo, Brazzaville and Zaire. Weighs 60 lbs. per cubic foot.

Legal Notice to Customers:
By purchasing product(s) on this website, you agree that you have read, understood and complied with the following:

Due to the complex and changing nature of knife laws, it is your responsibility, not HIGH CALIBER KNIVES', to investigate and comply with international, federal, state and local laws relating to the purchase, possession, use, transport and resale of knives. Consult applicable laws if you are in doubt. By placing an order, you represent that the product(s) will be used in a lawful manner and you are of legal age. Absolutely no sales will be made to minors. You agree to hold HIGH CALIBER KNIVES harmless from failure to comply with these terms and conditions of sale.

HIGH CALIBER KNIVES MAKE FOR GOOD HUNTING OR FISHING

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