5 Alloy Steels And Different Properties Of Knife Blade Materials

Are you planning to customize a knife for yourself?

Are you an enthusiastic knives collector?

Knives are small, sharp weapons which are used for multiple purposes, depending on the need. They are extremely dangerous steel products; some look dangerously luxurious (specially made for collectors), while some are simply designed to get the most use out of it.

Uses

The various uses of knives:

  1. In the kitchen
  2. Collectable item
  3. To hunt animals
  4. For self defence
  5. For safety purposes

Different Alloy Steels

If you desire to change the properties of steel, you can mix certain elements to it and modify its properties, during the melting process. The following are some of the additions for modifying knife properties:

  • Carbon

Even though, it is not an alloying element, adding carbon increases the hardness of the blade. Carbon is an easily found element in nature and it is a common practice to add it to steel to increase its durability and hardness.

 

  • Molybdenum

It is not found in free state on Earth, rather in various oxidation states in minerals. It is added to the blade steel to increase its tensile strength, hardenability and corrosion resistance. It basically modifies the steel and upgrades it, as it is used in the steel industry to make superalloys and high-strength alloys.

 

  • Vanadium

It is found in nature in various minerals and fossil fuel deposits. It improves the hardenability of the steel; promoting fine grains. The grain structure in steel is important because it directly affects the wear resistance and strength of the blade. Swordsmiths try to make a blade with fine grain structure because it makes the best blades; a desirable structure for all.

 

  • Chromium

It is easily found in the environment from the erosion of chromium-containing rocks. It improves wear resistance, corrosion resistance and hardenability. It is one of the major martensitic stainless steels; commonly used for sports cutlery applications.

 

  • Nickel

Pure native nickel is found in Earth’s crust in tiny amounts. It is added to the blade steel to improve its toughness, corrosion resistance and hardenability. It is one of the major elements in Austenitic stainless steel, also used for dive knives. Millions of tons are used annually around the world.

As you have already seen above, adding alloys make the blade steel better in every aspect, depending on the alloy element. It is widely practiced around the world by swordsmiths because it not just increases its durability, but also its attraction to the buyer.

Different Properties of Steel

The selection of steel solely depends on the properties of the steel and its manufacturability. Different properties are established by adding alloys, as already mentioned above. The following are some of the common properties of blade steel:

  • Toughness

It refers to the ability of the blade steel to absorb energy prior to its fracturing.

 

  • Hardness

It refers to the ability of the blade steel to resist permanent deformation. It is measure on a Rockwell scale.

 

  • Strength

It refers to the ability of the blade steel to resist to applied forces.

 

  • Hardenability

It refers to the ability of the blade steel to harden through the heat-treating process.

 

  • Ductility

It refers to the ability of the blade steel to bend or flex without fracturing.

 

  • Corrosion resistance

It refers to the ability of the blade steel to resist deterioration due to reactions with the environmental elements like water or air etcetera.

Related: Boot Knife Reviews

  • Wear resistance

It refers to the ability of the blade steel to resist abrasion and wear during use. It totally depends on the use by the owner because it is variable for different blades and their owners.

 

  • Initial sharpness

It simply means the sharpness of the ‘out of the box’ blade.

 

  • Edge retention

It refers to the ability of the blade steel to hold an edge without frequent resharpening. It simply means till what time the blade can remain sharp before the edge wears out or become useless.

 

  • Manufacturability

It refers to the ease with which the blade steel can be blanked, machined, ground or heat-treated.

Own a Knife Now

Do you think you know enough among blades now?

Own one yourself and experience the thrill that it gives you to have a sharp collector knife in your hand or use it at something to see how dangerous it could be. There are various places where you can find knives for sale in UK, USA or Australia and order them now!

What’s The Best Tactical Tomahawk?

The tomahawk is an impressive weapon and tool. When people think of the tomahawk, they think only of something that can be thrown, or used to kill, but a tactical tomahawk (also known as a tactical axe, military tomahawk, or army tomahawk) can do so much more than that. For those in a survival situation, it can be the difference between life and death.

Yes, it can be used as a weapon, but it can be used to chop wood, to dig a pit and more. Even today, soldiers in Afghanistan use the tactical axes as both a weapon and a tool.

Let’s delve in deeper to what a tactical tomahawk truly is.

History of the Tactical Tomahawk

The tomahawk, of course, has its start with the First Nations people of the United States and Canada. The tomahawk was first created by the Algonquian Indians. These early tomahawks were just stones attached to wooden handles, secured with strips of rawhide. The tomahawk was essentially a tactical tomahawk, used for chopping, cutting and hunting. When Europeans arrived in North America, they introduced the metal blade, which altered how the tomahawk was made.

It has helped to improve the lifestyle of the native people, especially with hunting because the blade would not break as easily. With the new metal, tomahawks had a hammer or spike on the other side of the blade, so that the tomahawk could be used in an increased number of situations. In addition, the pipe was sometimes attached, allowing for smoking with the tomahawk.

Today, the military tomahawk has changed greatly and was used by the US forces in the Vietnam War. These were known as Vietnam tomahawks (military tomahawks) and were used in combat. The American Tomahawk Company now makes tactical tomahawks for the U.S. Army, which have been used in both Iraq and Afghanistan for hand-to-hand combat and as tools. Even law enforcement are using tomahawks now.

Features Of A Tactical Tomahawk

The features of a tactical tomahawk will not vary too much. The tactical axe will be made of a light-weight material, but be very strong and durable. The handle will feature finger grooves, making it easy to hold and use. The tomahawk will not be too long, but will be long enough that it can be used as an axe or hatchet, a weapon, and a tool that can be used in survival situations.

two tactical tomahawksTactical tomahawks can be used as:

1. Pry-bars
2. Hammer
3. Shovel
4. Axe
5. Hatchet

Best Tomahawk Buyer’s Guide

If you are going to buy a tactical tomahawk, then you need to keep in mind that there are three different types of tomahawks. Knowing which type of tomahawk you need will make the purchase of the tomahawk much easier for you.

1. Throwing tomahawk: The stereotypical tomahawk is the one you can throw. This one is used by those competing in tomahawk competitions, and it is the one that is used for hunting and self-defense. If you use it in self-defense, keep in mind that the weapon you throw can then be used against you. These tomahawks are balanced perfectly and are meant to be thrown. As a result, they tend to not be as strong as other tomahawks.

2. Combat tomahawk (or combat axe): This tomahawk is not meant for throwing, but for combat and the military. These army tomahawks are lighter because the tomahawk needs to be swung quickly and easily.

3. Tactical tomahawk (survival tomahawk): If you want a tomahawk that can be used for a variety of purposes, then you naturally need to get a tactical tomahawk.

This tomahawk is meant to be used as a multi-purpose tool that can range from smashing a window or breaking a door, to opening up a crate or for hand-to-hand combat.

Best Budget Tomahawk

If you want to get a tomahawk that is affordable, but will work great for you like a tactical tomahawk, then the SOG Specialty Knives and Tools Tactical Tomahawk is exactly what you need. This tool can be used for a number of different situations, including removing obstacles, extracting something, cutting wood or hunting. As a survival tool, this is an excellent option.

Made with a glass-reinforced nylon handle, which can stand up to nearly anything, it is topped off with 2.75 inches of stainless steel that is used for the axe head. The stainless steel option will ensure that you don’t have to worry about the tomahawk rusting on you if you are using it in a survival situation outside.

The handle is made of ballistic polymer, which can stand up to nearly anything. No matter what you are doing with the tomahawk axe, it is probably going to stand up to the worst of it, allowing you to handle easily whatever the world throws at you in a survival situation.

In all, it measures in at 15.75 inches long and weighs only 24 ounces. It makes it lightweight, but still highly durable. It is so durable that SOG even gives it a lifetime warranty.

Tactical Tomahawk Reviews

Right now, we only have one survival tomahawk review complete. Be sure to visit the website soon and take advantage of the complete comparison guide. For now, watch the clip about the SOG Tomahawk.

Video Review of the SOG Tomahawk

Best High-End Tomahawk

If you are looking for a high-end tomahawk, then you need to check out the Gerber Downrange Tomahawk. It’s priced at $250, and this tomahawk is made in the United States and comes with a hammer-head and pry-bar design. It allows you to use it to hammer things into the ground to create a shelter, but to also pry pieces of wood off a tree for the kindling. Made with a G-10 handle with a 420HC steel body, it also comes with a mobile sheath that makes it easier to carry with you.

As the manufacturer says, the axe head will cut through walls and rope, while the hammer will smash through locks, door-knobs and hinges. The pry-bar is designed for maximum leverage, and the grip is designed so that it is easy to open whatever you need to. An excellent tomahawk of a tactical nature that comes with a higher cost but is well worth it.

via What’s The Best Tactical Tomahawk? – The Tactical Guru.

A Day At Smokey Mountain Knife Works

Our guest blogger OmegaMan recently visited the Smokey Mountain Knife Works, here is his re-cap of his great day at their facility.

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Located in Sieverville, Tennessee, Smokey Mountain Knife Works falls into the greater Gatelinberg, Pigeon Forge area.

They advertise themselves as a knife store “If It Cuts, We Carry It”  but you will not believe what is waiting inside for you..so much more than you ever imagined!

Upon first entering the large retail center you will be taken back by an amazing collection of Civil War rifles that are actually for sale. Dozens upon dozens of these ancient beauties line the walls and can be had for $500 to thousands depending on condition.

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The greater retail space is broken into smaller sub sections mostly by manufacturer. Boasting over 2,000,000 knives….every knife you can think of is here from pocket knives to tomahawks. This is a multi-level store with the upstairs housing an amazing historic collection in their History of Knifes Museum. You could spend an easy hour alone tracing back the history and interesting evolution of blades.

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One section houses Camo gear, tactical vests, holsters, patches and related military garb. Need some MRE’s…there over there!

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Another is dedicated to Swiss Army knives. What an amazing assortment!

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Need an air raid siren…they have those too, although the clerk is only able to demonstrate it on a limited basis, (very loud in the building lol).

SOG Knives, United Cutlery, Case, etc, Mykel Hawke, “Gunny”, Gerber, Buck frost Cutlery, Gransfors Bruks…you name it… showcase upon showcase…over 157 brand names….unbelievable!!!

Downstairs was amazing too. An incredible assortment of collectibles. I mean fossils (trilobites and everything), Civil War relics , World War II items including helmets, uniforms, letters and photos. I could have spent all day in this area going through thousands of rare items. So, so cool. Beyond description!

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Country cooking and southern retail items took up a major part of the bottom floor as you walked by streams, and waterfalls meandering through water wheels and old mill machinery. Oh..look….”there’s a gattlin’ gun over there”…

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Most people only see the outside front of the beautifully massive 100,000 sf Smokey Mountain Knife Works outlet. Little do they know the company has another massive building in the rear. Employing over 250 people at any time, all were very courteous and knowledgeable.

Head on up to the greater Gatinberg, TN area, you will not be disappointed. There is so much to do from Dollywood, to the miles upon miles of tourist attractions in the greater tri-city area.

But definitely check out Smokey Mountain Knife Works. Every member of my family had so much fun and all took home something to remember!

 

read the next survival blog post

 

Mykel Hawke’s Knives Features

A good graphic explaining all the unique features designed into the Mykel Hawke line of knives.