They use X55CrMo14, and at roughly between 52 - 54 hrc, based upon threads I read ages ago for the hrc
Which knife would you remake in a better/different steel?
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A lot of others on a career of structural and materials engineering. Some really fancy ones on some satellites and rocket engines. And a few more on 60 years of handling knives.And I see that you ONLY met with UHC steels
if i understand correctly the condor bushlore is (more or less) a copy of it and since a few months there's a stainless steel version as well...
The Esee Izula 2 Was my most carried and used fixed blade for a while.
Perfect overall size - unobtrusive worn round the neck or in the pocket, had excellent neutral ergonomics and had a blade size that was just about ideal for a lot of my outdoor pursuits.
What I did not like and what eventually made me get rid was the thick edge geometry and the softness of the 1095.
Both are good for a big, hard use knife and make sense logistically for Esee when combined with their lifetime warranty, but I was stropping the knife as much I was using it to try and maintain a “decent“ edge.
If the same knife had < 3mm stock thickness, was significantly thinner behind the edge and made out of say Cruwear or better still - K390 @ 65 ish HRC, I’d buy one in a second, even if it was double the price of the soft 1095 version.
Perfect overall size - unobtrusive worn round the neck or in the pocket, had excellent neutral ergonomics and had a blade size that was just about ideal for a lot of my outdoor pursuits.
What I did not like and what eventually made me get rid was the thick edge geometry and the softness of the 1095.
Both are good for a big, hard use knife and make sense logistically for Esee when combined with their lifetime warranty, but I was stropping the knife as much I was using it to try and maintain a “decent“ edge.
If the same knife had < 3mm stock thickness, was significantly thinner behind the edge and made out of say Cruwear or better still - K390 @ 65 ish HRC, I’d buy one in a second, even if it was double the price of the soft 1095 version.
Oh while I’m at it, a SAK Alox solo and a blade with magnacut, Elmax, M390, LC200N, VG-10…. Really any half decent stainless and not that crumby steel they keep using as their main blades that you have to touch up after every day.
A better option would be an Alan Wood - he has made woodlores in various steels, including damasteel.
I have just seen that, 14c28n steel and called the aqualore. I am a little tempted.....
that's the one i was referring to -- it's on my list of potential candidates to replace my beloved robbed F1, but i've heard mixed things about condor's quality control in the past, no idea of that's still the case...
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As they has become established, quality control has improved significantly. So a reasonable upgrade in steel, handle material and sheath, this looks to be the first upgrade that the thread wanted.
I see they've also done a 1095 version called the darklore. But added a fuller to it unfortunately.
Absolutely! For a company of that size and with their generally good reputation, it would probably be a good idea for them to treat their customers to a better steel on their knife blades.
That handle will get mucky in no time, so don't let that stop you. As for the sheath, it's the right choice for a stainless steel in my opinion.
The issue I have with condor is the price, 10 years ago people were buy these for £30, that has doubled and a bit more.
I have a beautiful sharp camp knife made by Mr Claycombe . 
A handsome knife and lovely in my hand.
I have a stainless steel Mora that seems to hold its edge quite well and doesn’t go rusty when I’m messin’ in my dinghy and an assortment of other blades scattered in places where I live/cook, but I have absolutely no idea if they are abc 123 steel or 123 abc steel. Providing I can sharpen them and they hold an edge I am completely happy. There are some amazing steels out there but the tech details pass me by. Sorry!
I bought a couple of folders in 2021 which get a lot of use. One is Spanish steel and the other is Chinese, this is a Tekut Zero and had surprisingly good reviews for a sub £25 folder. Just looked again at one review and this is Sandvik steel FYI so sounds good! This lives with me at all times.
With a rub from my ‘Trend’ diamond card and a little spit I keep all the cutting edges in good order.
S
A handsome knife and lovely in my hand.I have a stainless steel Mora that seems to hold its edge quite well and doesn’t go rusty when I’m messin’ in my dinghy and an assortment of other blades scattered in places where I live/cook, but I have absolutely no idea if they are abc 123 steel or 123 abc steel. Providing I can sharpen them and they hold an edge I am completely happy.
There are some amazing steels out there but the tech details pass me by. Sorry!I bought a couple of folders in 2021 which get a lot of use. One is Spanish steel and the other is Chinese, this is a Tekut Zero and had surprisingly good reviews for a sub £25 folder. Just looked again at one review and this is Sandvik steel FYI so sounds good! This lives with me at all times.
With a rub from my ‘Trend’ diamond card and a little spit I keep all the cutting edges in good order.
S
