Let's Talk About Steel

[rawcustom]

I'm too busy at work for a full response, but several points here are straying into opinion and are demonstrably false. The theory of "better back then steels", the theory that there aren't steels made for cutting/knife industries today, and lastly the notion of forged steel producing a better end steel product. 

If you can blame a decrease on steel quality found in common tools today it's a matter of economics more than steel having some forgotten lost art from how it was produced a 100 years ago. The leather industry is a dead industry. That is why there is little selection of quality and most tools available are cheaply made overseas and people are surprised that they don't handle, cut, or wear like the tools of old. 

Remember steel is only part of your product. Heat treat, grind geometry and ergonomics will all play into your desirability of a knife. If a rifle shoots a ragged hole at 200 yds but weighs 20lbs, it won't be your go to mountain rifle. 

[MADMAX22]

There are a lot of things that play into why we cant get decent items now a days. Not just leather tools. I work at a shipyard that use to turn out a sub a week or something like that. Now it takes a week to get a bolt turned out from stock.

[catskin]

On ‎8‎/‎23‎/‎2016 at 1:33 PM, rawcustom said:

I'm too busy at work for a full response, but several points here are straying into opinion and are demonstrably false. The theory of "better back then steels", the theory that there aren't steels made for cutting/knife industries today, and lastly the notion of forged steel producing a better end steel product. 

If you can blame a decrease on steel quality found in common tools today it's a matter of economics more than steel having some forgotten lost art from how it was produced a 100 years ago. The leather industry is a dead industry. That is why there is little selection of quality and most tools available are cheaply made overseas and people are surprised that they don't handle, cut, or wear like the tools of old. 

Remember steel is only part of your product. Heat treat, grind geometry and ergonomics will all play into your desirability of a knife. If a rifle shoots a ragged hole at 200 yds but weighs 20lbs, it won't be your go to mountain rifle. 

I think if you read more carefully you would see that what was meant  was they USED better steel back then.  MEANING that the ones making the tools ( knives etc. )  now  are not as careful about choosing and treating the steel as they were back then.  Because of the small market now compared to when harness etc. was a big industry.

[seagiant]

Hi,

           This was interesting!

I forged knives for years, including pattern weld, cable san mai, and also the japanese "Hamon" quench techniques!

I paid for my shop almost, selling knives made from a set of  1939 Studebaker leaf springs, I bought for $5!

If you want to get in a real knock down drag out....

Go to a Knifemakers meet or convention...

And start talking about HEAT TREAT!!!

Different steels will take a back seat!!!