Hay, I was just looking at some different steel from other makers, ( don't hate me, I think the busse group dose it right) I just what to know how bad is shock steel compared to any of the offerings from our favorite steel companies?

I think we are living in the Golden Age of knife steel. S30V, Elmax, CPM 154, and some newer super steels are all the rage. I cut up a lot of heavy boxes today with my Swamp Rat folder. The S30V blade was still shaving sharp. The Busse steels are second to none in performance. Their heat treatment is well documented to be the best in the business. SR101 has amazing edge holding and tougness. I am no steel expert like Busse brothers, but I have never been disappointed the Busse-made performance. These "other steels" are quite good. And they cost as much or more than Busse made blades. My 2 cents.

shock steel?

SR77 or S7 jack hammer bit steel has been used in the past by SYKCO. Somehow, Busse managed to get that shock steel to actually hold an edge. It's about as tough as steel gets.

I think shock steel is more like 1095 (I think)--steels they make shocks for cars from and the like. S7 is a tool steel. 52100 (SR101) is a bearing steel (used to make ball bearings). These might be their original usages, but knife makers have found they make good blades with the right heat treatment. THAT's the key. Super steels are no better for knives than aluminum foil without the proper heat treat. Like HD noted, Busse seems to do it right.

A few years ago Ed Fowler - field editor for Blade magazine - referred to 52100 (SR-101) as a "super steel" for knives and really sang its praises. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

That may be what brought me to the Swamp and then the Yard. I read some one's article praising it and saying if you were ever fortunate enough to get a blade made from it to never let it go.

That was BEFORE all the powder metallury supersteels came out, but I 52100 still ranks at the top of my list.

Haven't had a chance to try 3v yet though....Dan? Wanna put your magic to THAT one? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I meant S7 is a shock resistant steel, not steel used to make shock absorbers. It is a tool steel like D2 or O1, but more shock resistant. It is extremely tough and able to withstand repeated shock, as jackhammer bits, chisels, and punches must. It may also find its way into shock absorbers for all I know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

http://www.integritysteel.com/shock-resistant-tool-steel-aisi-s7.html

Vic is right, S7 is a shock steel. Steel used in automotive suspension springs is called spring steel.

Hahahaha! That's what I meant! That's what happens when I post without thinking! I should know to never remotely seem like I'm questioning Vic <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Shocks, springs.....they're all the same thing, right? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

where do guys come up with this info? It never ceases to amaze me how much you folks know about steel. Makes me think I'm listening to conversation at a metallurgy convention.