Bowie knives have been around for almost 200 years. In that time, metal technology has advanced a great deal. Today's knives can be purchased in a variety of steels. In the past, it was the best one could do to get the best performing steel they could find. Today, one can find different steels that offer excellent performance in different situations.
Bowie knives are used for so many different tasks that it's inevitable that they come in many different materials. Some bowie knife owners use their blades for very hard work, such as prying and chopping. For these knives, 420, 440 or 440A stainless steel is a good choice. It's durable and long-lasting and, of course, very corrosion-resistant. These steels hold an edge moderately well and can be sharpened to a serviceable edge. For more precise work, the expense associated with the metal increases, for obvious reasons.
The 440 A, B and C types of steel hold an edge much better than does 420 and are still very rust resistant. Their price and edge-holding ability goes up along with the letters. For general purpose bowie knives that need to be sharp, 440A is a fine choice. For a hunting knife that needs to be razor-sharp, needs to stay that way and must stand up to the rigors of the field, 440C is a good choice. It is far more expensive than the lesser types of stainless, however.
For a hard-working, multi-purpose bowie knife, plain stainless steel is often best. The 420 and 440 varieties can both offer good service. Stainless steel is incredibly tough and, partially as a result of that, is very hard to sharpen. There are new types of stainless steel being developed all the time and some of these metals have very favorable properties where edge-holding and durability are concerned.
At the high end of the scale are the 6A and 12C27 grade steels. The 6A grade is frequently used in knives that are manufactured to the standards of a fighting knife. This steel takes a very sharp edge and can hold that edge for a long time. Blades made of this steel can easily pass most sharpness tests. They are also very expensive and not suited to general purpose and sporting use due to their high price. Other high-end grades include ATS-34 and 440B, the latter of which isn't produced in great quantities anymore. If one is looking for the best quality, the high-carbon steels are those for which one is looking. - 31499
Bowie knives are used for so many different tasks that it's inevitable that they come in many different materials. Some bowie knife owners use their blades for very hard work, such as prying and chopping. For these knives, 420, 440 or 440A stainless steel is a good choice. It's durable and long-lasting and, of course, very corrosion-resistant. These steels hold an edge moderately well and can be sharpened to a serviceable edge. For more precise work, the expense associated with the metal increases, for obvious reasons.
The 440 A, B and C types of steel hold an edge much better than does 420 and are still very rust resistant. Their price and edge-holding ability goes up along with the letters. For general purpose bowie knives that need to be sharp, 440A is a fine choice. For a hunting knife that needs to be razor-sharp, needs to stay that way and must stand up to the rigors of the field, 440C is a good choice. It is far more expensive than the lesser types of stainless, however.
For a hard-working, multi-purpose bowie knife, plain stainless steel is often best. The 420 and 440 varieties can both offer good service. Stainless steel is incredibly tough and, partially as a result of that, is very hard to sharpen. There are new types of stainless steel being developed all the time and some of these metals have very favorable properties where edge-holding and durability are concerned.
At the high end of the scale are the 6A and 12C27 grade steels. The 6A grade is frequently used in knives that are manufactured to the standards of a fighting knife. This steel takes a very sharp edge and can hold that edge for a long time. Blades made of this steel can easily pass most sharpness tests. They are also very expensive and not suited to general purpose and sporting use due to their high price. Other high-end grades include ATS-34 and 440B, the latter of which isn't produced in great quantities anymore. If one is looking for the best quality, the high-carbon steels are those for which one is looking. - 31499
About the Author:
Brian is a business consultant for an online bowie knife store featuring combat knives.
