1.4116

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Very interesting.

At one point they were using 1.4110 (x55CrMo14) which is very similar in composition.

Here's a composition comparison chart:

http://www.zknives.com/knives/steels/steelgraph.php?nm=1.4110,1.4116&ni=626,&hrn=1&gm=0

Here's some comparison information on the material properties of the two steels. It also has some composition information which indicates that 1.4116 contains Nitrogen while 1.4110 doesn't.

https://www.makeitfrom.com/compare/...ss-Steel/EN-1.4116-X50CrMoV15-Stainless-Steel

I wonder if they specify a steel by name or by composition. If it's the latter, I could see them getting a shipment of 1.4110 one time and 1.4116 the next.
 
It makes a fine blade steel for the SAK application in their folders since they're not intended to be heavy baton/pry knives. A lot of knife knuts aren't impressed with the expensive Vic fixed blades in it since there are more impressive steels that Victorinox could have used in a $200+ fixed blade. They may have decided they had good control of this highly corrosion resistant steel and so less value in chasing the latest/greatest name in steels?

I think the Finnish flippers have used that steel for 20+ years and they see no need to change (even though I've encouraged them to look at other steels).
 
Cold Steel and CRKT are now using 4116 / 1.4116 on many of their folders, so I wonder how much longer the lack of name recognition will be a factor. It's a low cost steel because it has low quantities of the alloying elements it uses, and it's a manufactured as simple cast ingots. The relatively low hardness and low volume of hard carbides no doubt make it cheap and easy to machine as well.
 
"Vic's fixed blades..." don't tell the folks that are buying buckets of their little curved "pealing" knife, come disposable kerambit… I know that wasn't your point, but still, there are places that can't keep them in stock, and kydex makers producing sheathing for them, a step up from the more common cardboard and duck tape.

Regards, Jim
 
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Victorinox uses 1.4116 for their blades.
Are all of the tools on a SAK made from this steel or just the blade?
I find SAK blade steel a bit soft as it requires frequent sharpening.
I have several SAKs branded Victorinox and I am happy with them, I wish they offer a better blade steel such as CPM 20CV
 
joneb,

Gotta consider what Victorinox's market is. They want people to be able to easily sharpen the blades so they want them softer. Their knives also need to be very resistant to rust, but have to be stay economical for their market niche. 440A gets sneered at a lot for being soft, but it is very corrosion resistant, inexpensive, and easily sharpened which are all important applications for certain segments of the market.

Would I like to see a higher grade steel used in SAKs? For some of them, sure, but for their standard knives they seem to be doing well for what they're intended.

Good question about the other tools. The files and saws can't be soft. I'll have to dig into that.
 
I'd like to see the Victorinox modders come up with these blades and make them available for upgrade builds. Perhaps Roger as Swiss Bianco could get this done.

I'm having a fellow rebuild a Ranger into a Master Craftsman for me. If the work is good I'll have another custom modification done to include the older small Phillips.
 
For me, the perfect slippy, would be the Farmer with a bail, or an US knife with a saw. Commonalities include metal scales, and the awl at the end where it's useful. The lanyard connection on SAC's have been known to break, causing loss of the knife, and as much as I love the US knife, I use the saw on the SAC frequently enough that I miss it on the US. Either way always in combination with a Leatherman Wave II or Surge in a belt pouch.
 
Cold Steel and CRKT are now using 4116 / 1.4116 on many of their folders, so I wonder how much longer the lack of name recognition will be a factor. It's a low cost steel because it has low quantities of the alloying elements it uses, and it's a manufactured as simple cast ingots. The relatively low hardness and low volume of hard carbides no doubt make it cheap and easy to machine as well.

I have a number of Cold Steel knives with that steel and I am not impressed. It takes a sharp edge but does not hold it. The steels in these 1970's knives take as good of an edge, and hold it longer. And these are probably 420 steel.

DMDRSKe.jpg

UTwaRL8.jpg

I am not going to pay Victorinox $200 for a knife made out of 4116 just because they stamp their brand on the blade. There are better, lower cost options available.

SAK_4_2261__S5.jpg

such as a Mora with a 12C27N blade for under $30.00.

Y2sXvq5.jpg
 
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