I love S7 don't get me wrong. It is a fantastic steel and tough as heck.
There is nothing I would rather my big hard use blades be ground from but for the smaller knives like this neat new YKCG I think SR101 might be a better choice.
I would definitly be into a SR101 SS4 with a Res C handle! For a small hunting or EDC knife I think it is worth losing a little toughness to gain some edge retention.

Scrapyard is about bang for the buck first off. I believe there is some precedent
for using other steels than S7? The SS4 was INFI. Swamprat used S7 on their Crash
axe.

I would only use SR101 on smaller through hardened knives. The Diff tempered SR101
is a Swamprat trademark and we would be using S7 for knives big enough to warrant it anyway.

What do you guys think?

Would you like to see small Scrapyard knives made of SR101? single choice
	Yes that is a fantastic idea
	NO ,S7 for ever
Votes accepted starting: 01/07/08 06:17 PM
View Results

I didn't vote, cause i think there should be something kind of in between.
really I honestly don't know, I like a knife I'm going to have on me alot to be really tough so... I really don't mind s7, it holds a good edge anyway.

although I do think it would be cool if scrapyard had a knife or two that had a different (but task oriented) steel every once in a while, like the ss4, maybe another knifeor something could have some kind of good stainless, but I think they should stick with s7, for the most part.

I knife or two wouldn't hurt every once in a while though.
but I dont think every small knife should be sr101.

S7 is the shiznit.

SR101 will visibly rust when bare, in about 10 minutes.

sr77 for big 'uns, INFI or good stainless for little 'uns. Little knives are edc or skinner/hunters so need the corrosion resistance..

sr77 doesn't seem to rust overmuch but does get 'micro' pits on exposed bits if you aren't careful.

I didn't vote on the survey as there wasn't another option..

I would LOVE more INFI at Scrap Yard prices!!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

If I could get INFI at SR-77 or SR-101 prices on Scrap Yard Res-C, I would be all over it.

But, I don't honestly believe there is much chance of getting many more Res-C/INFI combos at reasonable prices. It may never happen again (???) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />

SR-101 is unfortunately fairly prone to rust - significantly more so than SR-77, but they will both rust. Aside from rust, SR-101 is a VERY good knife steel.
Even with the rust issue and even though SR-77 is good, I would rather have through hardened SR-101 on my smaller knives than SR-77.


I don't understand why Swamp Rat had to totally quite using Res-C or why Scrap Yard can't use SR-101.
I think Busse Family is now missing a big niche by not having ANY SR-101/Res-C combos.

SR-77 is super tough and maybe the king of tough and king for knives intended to take a "BEATING", but I honestly feel SR-101 and a few other steels are better suited for smaller blades intended for "cutting".

Also, Jerry used to use a LOT of A2. A2 is a GREAT knife steel "if" it is properly heat treated. But, we all know Busse knows how to heat treat - AND Busse has a lot of experience and knowledge with A2.

A2 doesn't rust very easily. It is (from what I can tell) less prone to rust than SR-77, but A2 will patina pretty easily.

We also know that Busse apparently has a warehouse full of D2. I like SR-101 more than D2, but for some stainless options, I might be interested in seeing more D2.


.

I can't believe you guys are such a bunch of rust babies <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
They are coated using knives! Rust adds a bit of character and does not hurt the knife. S7 is a bit more rust resistant than SR101 but even it is a long way from stainless.
If you take care of your knife even SR101/52100 won't rust. Most rifles are made of carbon steel. Are you having problems with them rusting?


I thought something like a Swamp Warden with a Res C handle would be a no brainer. On a little knife like that you don't need all the toughness of infi
or S7 but being able to skin a whole deer or do a lot of whittling or whatever is really nice in a knife that size. RES C is my favourite handle for a using knife
so I would love to see it with one of my favourite steels without having to buy an old Howler. I also thought it would be a much better choice than S7 for the SS4.

I did not put INFI as an option because it is to expensive and it is overkill really. If you are not worried about rust S7 can do everything on a big knife as well as INFI and 52100/SR101 can do everything as well on a little knife.

This "MAY" be a fair statement. But, probably not entirely fair without at least some fair disclaimers:

I haven't tried or timed how fast "WET" SR-101 rusts, but it doesn't rust that quick or easily if dry and/or in normal climate controlled conditions.

I live in Houston where we commonly hit 90% - 100% humidity. (Sucks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />) I am sure the humidity level in my house is less, but I don't know by how much and I wouldn't call it dry. My single-pane windows sweat like crazy with certain temperature and humidity changes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> - So, I KNOW there is still a lot of moisture in my house.

SR-101 rusts pretty darn easily for knife steel, but it isn't the worst. 1095, 5160, O-1 and a few others are worse.

I have a lot of Stripped and bare SR-101 knives that are not even protected and don't have rust. I just have them stored in a Craftsman Intermediate tool chest (bearing glides - <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ) under a credenza behind my desk. Although, I should put a coat of Ren-Wax on them anyway.

If you leave SR-101 or similar steel prone to rust outside or even in a car, the temperature change is enough to condense moisture onto dense steel. Steel is a pretty good conductor of condensation if there is decent humidity in the air and with temperature changes. So, don't leave it in a car, outside or other non-climate controlled areas without some type of coating, wax or oil to protect the steel.

**** HOWEVER, if bare SR-101 were to be left wet, it WILL rust in a (relatively) VERY short time - I don't know about 10 minutes, but I wouldn't be at all surprised that it could possibly rust that fast. (???) I think I have actually seen a slight color change in just the time to wash the blade before I can get it dry. - So, this needs to be considered for field use and otherwise outside in a sheath.

I highly recommend Ren-Wax! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

INFI at SR-77 prices would be one of the best options. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

.

I would like to see some steel other than SR77 in the smaller cutters/slicers. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Yeah.... sorry. I HATE rust! But, I still would rather see SR-101 on smaller knives and I would STILL choose Satin!. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I consider RUST a negative compromise, but it is still a worthy compromise to me.
I can work with SR-101 and protect the blades - Ren-Wax and minor maintenance is OK with me on knives.


Yes, I have a couple of small rust spots on some very precious guns of mine. Makes me sick at my stomach. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" />



I agree with all of that. I would love to see a Swamp Warden with Res-C - Satin for me please!

Or something like this (again, satin please!):







I don't really believe in over-kill. I like over-kill. You should see how I build things. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

.... But, I do believe in over-priced!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

If we could get smaller knives in INFI at no more than the price of the SS4 released at $139.95 - Say Res-C/INFI Swamp Warden blades at about $109.95 or so and my concept blade AD styled blade with Mudder grips at about $139.95, I would pay for the extra benifits and rust resistance of INFI.

But, otherwise, I totally agree, aside from rust, SR-101 is a VERY good knife steel and more than good enough for any size smaller blade.

.

... Oh yeah... I voted "FOR" SR-101 on smaller blades with Res-C.... in case that hasn't been evident in my posts. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I don't mind going on record with this.

I don't mind going on record saying I hate rust or would like INFI at SR-77 prices either. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Call me a dreamer....

I always want the most for the least. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

To be fair also I live in a very dry climate. I have a R2D2 sized humidifier going full blast and it is still to dry. The last time I tried to test a knife by shaving hair off my arms all I got were big white flakes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />
So maybe I am a little less concerned about Rust than someone who lives on the ocean.

Thanks for the vote KG. I did not mean to sound confrontational.

In my experience, in the humid salt air climate, SR101 will rust overnight. SR77, not so much. But a little oil, wax, or the Tuf Cloth will prevent rust. The SR101 does seem to be a little better in edge holding, but I like SR77 just fine. It seems to be a very good all-around steel to me. I am still wondering what the "numbers and letters" steel is. A Yard Keeper in a quality stainless would be nice for us coastal folks. One in SR101 would be fine, too. But that would be a Howling Dog.