A question for you hardcore bushcrafters: Have you used knives made of 5160 for bushcrafting? In your experience, how does it compare to other steels like say O-1? Thanks, Todd
5160 for bushcrafting
- Thread starter forginhill
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Kevin (Coutel) over on BB uses this steel a lot, I think the knife spyderco were thinking about making was going to use this steel as well
Spyderco are thinking of using 52100 bearing grade steel. 5160 is spring steel often used in vehicle suspension. It is a recommended steel for big knives that are going to be used for chopping due to its toughness. It has less carbon and fewer alloying elements than O-1 makign it simpler to heat treat in a forge.
To make it worth using you need to be set up to forge down springs to useable size.
5160 should make a fine knife, but there are a lot of steels in that category. In the US the 10series carbon steels are good choices to start forging and will work fine for bushcraft type knives.
To make it worth using you need to be set up to forge down springs to useable size.
5160 should make a fine knife, but there are a lot of steels in that category. In the US the 10series carbon steels are good choices to start forging and will work fine for bushcraft type knives.
So you have some old car/van leaf springs then?
What about using an old file instead? as I read it's more sutable for shorter knives.
What about using an old file instead? as I read it's more sutable for shorter knives.
One thing I noticed is that the blacksmiths in Nepal who make their kukris (khukuris) out of leaf springs is that they prefer German and Swedish leaf springs over all others. All of the kukris from Himalayan Imports are made from the leaf springs of salvaged Mercedes trucks.
The blacksmiths may not know much scientific metalurgy, they just know that it makes a better knife. Evidently, the leaf spring material used in Swedish and German vehicles is not regular 5160 but a slightly different steel that, unlike 5160, has some vanadium in it.
Someone on the web had some Mercedes leaf spring steel analysed and here are the results.
C = 0.49 %
Si = 0.36 %
Mn = 0.85 %
P = 0.018 %
S = 0.008 %
Cr = 0.91 %
Mo = 0.04 %
Ni = 0.16 %
Cu = 0.25 %
V = 0.12 %
This is a steel called 50CrV4 and has the material number 1.8159 whereas 5160 is 55Cr3 = 1.7176 steel.
5160 steel spec's
from the ASM manual:
5160, 5160H, 5160RH
5160 AISI 5160H AISI
Carbon 0.56 to 0.64 Carbon 0.55 to 0.65
Manganese 0.75 to 1.00 Manganese 0.65 to 1.00
Phosphorus 0.035 Max Silicon 0.15 to 0.35
Sulfur 0.040 Max Chromium 0.60 to 1.00
Silicon 0.15 to 0.30
Chromium 0.70 to 0.90
5160RH AISI
Carbon 0.56 to 0.64
Manganese 0.75 to 1.00
Silicon 0.15 to 0.35
Chromium 0.70 to 0.90
The blacksmiths may not know much scientific metalurgy, they just know that it makes a better knife. Evidently, the leaf spring material used in Swedish and German vehicles is not regular 5160 but a slightly different steel that, unlike 5160, has some vanadium in it.
Someone on the web had some Mercedes leaf spring steel analysed and here are the results.
C = 0.49 %
Si = 0.36 %
Mn = 0.85 %
P = 0.018 %
S = 0.008 %
Cr = 0.91 %
Mo = 0.04 %
Ni = 0.16 %
Cu = 0.25 %
V = 0.12 %
This is a steel called 50CrV4 and has the material number 1.8159 whereas 5160 is 55Cr3 = 1.7176 steel.
5160 steel spec's
from the ASM manual:
5160, 5160H, 5160RH
5160 AISI 5160H AISI
Carbon 0.56 to 0.64 Carbon 0.55 to 0.65
Manganese 0.75 to 1.00 Manganese 0.65 to 1.00
Phosphorus 0.035 Max Silicon 0.15 to 0.35
Sulfur 0.040 Max Chromium 0.60 to 1.00
Silicon 0.15 to 0.30
Chromium 0.70 to 0.90
5160RH AISI
Carbon 0.56 to 0.64
Manganese 0.75 to 1.00
Silicon 0.15 to 0.35
Chromium 0.70 to 0.90
Leaf spring steel, you guys say? Someone told me once that the original Kukri blades were made from old leaf springs from military vehicles. Is that true?
Adam
Adam
They used to hammer them from old railroad tracks. Then as motor vehicles become more common, they found out that vehicle leaf springs made better knives than railroad tracks. The shape of a salvaged leaf spring is also better for starting out when making a knife.
addyb said:
As I understand it the Ghurkhas were using Kukris a very long time before there were any vehicle springs to salvage.
Demographic, I have lots of leaf springs and many files. I want to use them all. However, I have been working with 5160 lately and just wanted to hear the opinions of others about it. I made my first knife out of 5160 leaf spring, and it's one tough knife. I abuse it and it holds a great edge and has never chipped or cracked. I've even used it to pry out nails and heavy industrial staples. The knife is amazing. I have recently made some more knives from 5160 and plan to do some extensive field testing with them. I also made a knife from L-6 which is according to Wayne Goddard, the toughest knife steel he's ever tested. I made one knife so far out of a file and my wife uses it in the kitchen. It has held an incredible edge for a long time. She uses it for everything and it still slices tomatoes.
Mrostov, that's interesting about the preference in leaf springs. I recently was given some 6150, which is similar to 5160 but has vanadium in it. I'm anxious to try it out.
Todd
Mrostov, that's interesting about the preference in leaf springs. I recently was given some 6150, which is similar to 5160 but has vanadium in it. I'm anxious to try it out.
Todd
forginhill said:
Hey, I am in over my depth here.
I only know what I have read in Jim Hrisoulas's books, the Complete Bladesmith and the Master Bladesmith.
