As you are searching the internet, perusing magazines, or shopping in stores for a hunting knife, you may become confused when reading about all the different types of metal that are used in the making of knife blades. You may very well know what stainless steel, titanium, carbon steel, and even Damascus steel are, but what about all those other types you read about?
Most people read names like 154 CM, 420, ATS34, AUS-8, CPM440V, etc., but can only shake their heads in bewilderment. If you don’t know what those numbers and letters signify, then there is no way to know what quality of knife you are getting. Why do two seemingly identical knives such as the Fallkniven Idun hunting knife (one made of VG10 and the other of Damascus Steel) have a price difference of 0?
Knife blades are made of a combination of metals such as carbon, manganese, chromium, vanadium, nickel, molybdenum, and so forth. Depending on the composition of the metals used in the production of the knife blade, each knife has the potential to be more expensive to produce, be more resistant to rust, or hold a better edge than those made of cheaper materials. Following is a partial list of some of the more common types of steel used in the manufacture of knife blades.
Stainless steel has a high chromium content to help it prevent rust. Contrary to public opinion, it is not rust proof. It is simply rust resistant, meaning it will resist rusting better than most metals, but if not taken care of can succumb to rust. It is not a very strong metal, thus knife blades made of it tend to be somewhat cheaper than most.
AUS-8 is a high carbon, low chromium stainless steel. While not quite as rust resistant as stainless steel, it tends to be a stronger metal, thus making it a little more expensive than stainless.
VG-10 is a high carbon steel with differing amounts of chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, and cobalt. It is especially popular with kitchen cutlery manufacturers as it will hold an edge and does not become brittle even after it has been sharpened many times as is common with many hard steels.
440A is a durable high carbon stainless steel that is used by many manufacturers in the production of hunting knives and survival knives.
Damascus steel was used by the Muslims in the crusades. Its exact composition is unknown today, although many companies and smiths have experimented in trying to recreate it. It is an especially durable metal that tends to be very expensive.
While this list is very incomprehensive, it should give you some idea of what to look for when you are shopping for a hunting knife. The old saying that you get what you pay for is very true when purchasing a quality hunting knife. They range anywhere from to over ,000. I would highly recommend that any serious hunter get the best they can afford.