The type of metal on a knife is a key factor when purchasing a knife. This is because metals have different characteristics of sharpening and holding an edge. When determining the type of knife to buy, it is important to know how the knife will be used. There are many different types of blade steel on knives because they are not a one-size-fits-all tool. The demands for a hunting knife vary from the demands for a damascus tracking knife. Four common metals used for knife blades are Stainless Steel, High Carbon Steel, Damascus, and Titanium. A more comprehensive overview of these materials can be found below. Stainless Steel The typical stainless steel blade contains at least 12% chromium which helps it resist rust and corrosion. Stainless steel blades are easy to sharpen, but their edge tends to wear down faster. Knives made with stainless steel require less work to maintain appearances. High Carbon Steel Knives made with carbon have a high edge retention, which means less time sharpening your knives. This also means the sharpness of a high carbon steel knife cannot be matched. But, these knives do not contain any chromium so they do not resist rust very well. Damascus A Damascus blade contains a combination of metals. By fusing multiple metals, you create a more durable blade than if you had used a single pure one. If multiple bands of metal are welded together into different patterns, the blades are impossible to shatter. Titanium Titanium knives are typically lighter due to their lower density and stronger. They are also corrosion resistant. These blades do not have a high edge retention, so they do not keep an edge for repeated uses. Now that you know more about these metals, you need to asses them. Before you can have a high-quality knife, you need to have high quality metal. These are five things to consider when grading the metal on your knife. Hardness Hardness refers to the knife’s ability to keep its shape without being damaged while being used under a variety of conditions. The hardness of a knife is typically measured using a special scale that determines how hard a piece of steel is. This measurement is important because it helps to determine the hardness, flexibility, and toughness of a knife. Toughness Your browser does not support the video tag. Toughness is measured by the ability of the knife's steel to bend without breaking and resist chips or cracks when being used heavily. Wear Resistance Your browser does not support the video tag. Wear resistance is the steel's ability to avoid damage by adhesion and abrasion. Wear resistance and the steel’s hardness go hand in hand. Corrosion Resistance Your browser does not support the video tag. Corrosion resistance is simple, when exposed to salt, moisture, and humidity does, the steel show signs of rust? Edge Retention Your browser does not support the video tag. How often will you need to sharpen your knife? A high-quality knife with a good edge retention will require less sharpening. This will depend on the quality of steel and the level and frequency of use. Just as the name suggests, high-quality knives are made of high-quality materials that can withstand use for many years without the need for a replacement. Properly caring for your knives and using them only for their intended use can help maintain the quality and performance of your knives. Have questions about how to care for your knife? Send us your questions on Twitter at @bucknbearknives. Don’t forget, #LiveWithAnEdge.

The type of metal on a knife is a key factor when purchasing a knife. This is because metals have different characteristics of sharpening and holding an edge. When determining the type of knife to buy, it is important to know how the knife will be used. There are many different types of blade steel on knives because they are not a one-size-fits-all tool. The demands for a hunting knife vary from the demands for a damascus tracking knife. Four common metals used for knife blades are Stainless Steel, High Carbon Steel, Damascus, and Titanium. A more comprehensive overview of these materials can be found below. Stainless Steel The typical stainless steel blade contains at least 12% chromium which helps it resist rust and corrosion. Stainless steel blades are easy to sharpen, but their edge tends to wear down faster. Knives made with stainless steel require less work to maintain appearances. High Carbon Steel Knives made with carbon have a high edge retention, which means less time sharpening your knives. This also means the sharpness of a high carbon steel knife cannot be matched. But, these knives do not contain any chromium so they do not resist rust very well. Damascus A Damascus blade contains a combination of metals. By fusing multiple metals, you create a more durable blade than if you had used a single pure one. If multiple bands of metal are welded together into different patterns, the blades are impossible to shatter. Titanium Titanium knives are typically lighter due to their lower density and stronger. They are also corrosion resistant. These blades do not have a high edge retention, so they do not keep an edge for repeated uses. Now that you know more about these metals, you need to asses them. Before you can have a high-quality knife, you need to have high quality metal. These are five things to consider when grading the metal on your knife. Hardness Hardness refers to the knife’s ability to keep its shape without being damaged while being used under a variety of conditions. The hardness of a knife is typically measured using a special scale that determines how hard a piece of steel is. This measurement is important because it helps to determine the hardness, flexibility, and toughness of a knife. Toughness Your browser does not support the video tag. Toughness is measured by the ability of the knife's steel to bend without breaking and resist chips or cracks when being used heavily. Wear Resistance Your browser does not support the video tag. Wear resistance is the steel's ability to avoid damage by adhesion and abrasion. Wear resistance and the steel’s hardness go hand in hand. Corrosion Resistance Your browser does not support the video tag. Corrosion resistance is simple, when exposed to salt, moisture, and humidity does, the steel show signs of rust? Edge Retention Your browser does not support the video tag. How often will you need to sharpen your knife? A high-quality knife with a good edge retention will require less sharpening. This will depend on the quality of steel and the level and frequency of use. Just as the name suggests, high-quality knives are made of high-quality materials that can withstand use for many years without the need for a replacement. Properly caring for your knives and using them only for their intended use can help maintain the quality and performance of your knives. Have questions about how to care for your knife? Send us your questions on Twitter at @bucknbearknives. Don’t forget, #LiveWithAnEdge.

So,  the best kitchen knives on a budget…. that’s a misnomer right? after all, the very best chef’s knives can cost hundreds of dollars. Fine if you have the financial means to afford it, but The post Best Kitchen Knives On A Budget appeared first on .

At the start of the year I made a hollow wood surfboard that I thought I should detail more as part of the 2017 Best Nine. It's built from plans by Mike Skinner of a Magic Carpet that's 7'6" long.This one is called Custard Cream as the first board I made (a stand up paddleboard) got lots of flies stuck in the resin and was nicknamed Garibaldi so another biscuit name was required!The frame is plywood, as is the underneath. The deck is pine (the thin strips) and paulownia (the wide strips). The rails are alternating layers of cork and balsa.Glue used was Titebond 3 for the frame, deck and bottom then contact adhesive for the rails. Resin Research epoxy was used for the glassing.I did video the build throughout, as opposed to taking pictures. I have spliced all of the videos together here but it is quite long and repetitive at times. Ideally it needs editing down but for anyone who is interested now then you can see the idea then skip onto the next section if you want.  https://youtu.be/RZBz8IokgS0

At the start of the year I made a hollow wood surfboard that I thought I should detail more as part of the 2017 Best Nine. It's built from plans by Mike Skinner of a Magic Carpet that's 7'6" long.This one is called Custard Cream as the first board I made (a stand up paddleboard) got lots of flies stuck in the resin and was nicknamed Garibaldi so another biscuit name was required!The frame is plywood, as is the underneath. The deck is pine (the thin strips) and paulownia (the wide strips). The rails are alternating layers of cork and balsa.Glue used was Titebond 3 for the frame, deck and bottom then contact adhesive for the rails. Resin Research epoxy was used for the glassing.I did video the build throughout, as opposed to taking pictures. I have spliced all of the videos together here but it is quite long and repetitive at times. Ideally it needs editing down but for anyone who is interested now then you can see the idea then skip onto the next section if you want.  https://youtu.be/RZBz8IokgS0

At the start of the year I made a hollow wood surfboard that I thought I should detail more as part of the 2017 Best Nine. It's built from plans by Mike Skinner of a Magic Carpet that's 7'6" long.This one is called Custard Cream as the first board I made (a stand up paddleboard) got lots of flies stuck in the resin and was nicknamed Garibaldi so another biscuit name was required!The frame is plywood, as is the underneath. The deck is pine (the thin strips) and paulownia (the wide strips). The rails are alternating layers of cork and balsa.Glue used was Titebond 3 for the frame, deck and bottom then contact adhesive for the rails. Resin Research epoxy was used for the glassing.I did video the build throughout, as opposed to taking pictures. I have spliced all of the videos together here but it is quite long and repetitive at times. Ideally it needs editing down but for anyone who is interested now then you can see the idea then skip onto the next section if you want.  https://youtu.be/RZBz8IokgS0

 Some pictures showing through making a forced patina on a 52100 blade, though some pictures are missing as I went along. A patina is an oxide layer on the steel and it can help resist rust forming.Sauces used - English Mustard, Tesco hot sauce, Tomato ketchup.The process is as simple as dabbing some on and leaving it then clean off and repeat. Most activity happens round the edge of the splodges, presumaby it needing some air to react the most.More pictures of the complete knife here: Spyderco Mule MT01 52100 in Yew BurrPretty cool, huh?

Here we have two customised Martindales that I rehandled in Bog Oak. One is the Paratrooper model and the other is the Golok. Green self-made micarta liners have been utilised between the Bog Oak and tang.Leather sheaths compliment the look with a fold over flap held by a chicago screw.Its quite satisfying to put a new handle on Martindales - the originals have lots of gaps as the desire of manufacture is obviously to keep costs low rather than put out a quality product. Hopefully now they're a tool that is now desirable!

Here we have small fieldcrafter in O1 steel. It is handled in African Blackwood for the bolsters and Apple wood for the rest of the handle. Carbon Fibre pins have been used so they almost disappear in the Blackwood. The price is £80 delivered in the UK due to some patina marks on the blade.These won't impair function and after a bit of use and sharpening will disappear.