Steels used in Crazy Crow Knife Blades
Steels used in Crazy Crow Knife Blades

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Steels used in Crazy Crow Knife Blades

Knife Making Articles

Crazy Crow Trading Post ~ April 20, 2008

Steels used in Crazy Crow
Knife Blades

Knife Making Articles

Crazy Crow Trading Post ~ April 20, 2008

Your Global HQ for Knife Blades

In order to provide a wide variety of popular and historically accurate styles for knife makers and reenactors, we purchase knife blades from a number of different manufacturers in the United States, Germany, India, Pakistan, Norway, Sweden and Japan. These makers use many different variations in steels under the general categories of carbon, stainless and Damascus. Some of our blades are hand-forged, while others are drop-forged or laser cut and then ground to shape.

These makers do not always identify the exact type of steel that they use, and they do always provide us with the hardness of their blades. Steel hardness is measured on the Rockwell “C” scale using sophisticated equipment that is quite expensive. Therefore, not all of our makers have the capability to test the hardness, especially the smaller ones who are hand forging their blades. However, where we are able to provide this information, we have included it below as well as in our catalog.

New American Line (5436-***-***)

We have introduced these blades from a top American maker in order to We have introduced these blades from a top American maker in order to replace our most popular Solingen steel blades that are no longer available. These begin with the number 5436 and are found on page 119 of our 2016 catalog. They are made of 3/16″ thick 1075 High Carbon Steel with a Rockwell C Scale hardness of 57 – 58.

Knives from Solingen. The city of blades. - Knife Steels used by Crazy Crow Trading Post

Knives from Solingen. The city of blades.

Among the companies manufacturing knife blades for Crazy Crow, Solingen is one of the most “storied”. Blades have been made in Solingen, Germany since 1363, the industry flourishing thanks to the nearby streams and rivers that powered the mills. Though the energy comes from other sources today, the craft is still alive and well and the high quality of Solingen blades is recognized the world-wide.

American made Russell Green River Knives and Knife Blades

These high carbon steel blades are made of C1095 spring steel from an American steel mill. They are heat treated to Rc54-56, making them hold a good edge and perform well, while leaving them easy to sharpen.

American Custom Hunters & Skinners – Shoshone, Wapiti, Platte, Wind River & Bitter Root (5431-010-*** through 5431-050-***)

Formerly made in Solingen, these are now made in the U.S.A. of high carbon 1075 spring steel, which is excellent for use in cutting tools and springs. Typical Rockwell hardness is 57 to 59.

1075 High Carbon Steel composition:

Carbon – 0.7 – 0.8%
Manganese – 0.4 – 0.7%
Phosphorus – 0.04 % (max)
Sulphur – 0.05 % (max)

Knives from Solingen, the “City of Blades”

Among the companies manufacturing knife blades for Crazy Crow, those in Solingen, Germany are the most “storied”. Knife Blades, Edged Weapons and other Cutlery have been made in this city since 1363, with the industry flourishing thanks to the nearby streams and rivers that powered the mills. Though the energy comes from other sources today, the craft is still alive and the high quality of Solingen blades is recognized the world over.

Solingen Stainless Steel (5432-***-***)

These blades are produced from 440A stainless steel with a highly polished finish and typically have a Rockwell hardness of 58.

Solingen Carbon Steel (5431-***-***)

These blades are from several different drop forgers and many are old stock from manufacturers who are no longer in business. Therefore, we only know that they are produced from high carbon steel with typical German quality controls. They normally test between Rockwell 57 and 58.

Damascus & Hand Forged Carbon Steel from India & Pakistan (4926-009-***, 5435, 5450)

These blades are typically produced in small shops or by individual craftsmen as “cottage crafts”. Therefore it is almost impossible to determine the exact type of steel used. This may vary from batch to batch as well, and the hardness may vary as well. We do our best to maintain the highest quality possible and many of these blades are very good as well as being very competitively priced.

Our primary Indian supplier of hand-forged tomahawks uses a bit of EN 45, High Carbon Spring Steel welded into mild steel for the rest of the blade and the eye. This provides a tough, durable hawk with a hard bit for maintaining a sharp edge. Our carbon steel knife blades are also made of EN 45, which can be hardened and tempered.

4926-009-*** blades

These blades are normally made of EN 45, a carbon steel quite suitable for knife blades. They are 3/16″ thick with overall lengths as follows:
Searles Bowie – 11.5″
Alamo Bowie – 10″
Classic Clip Point – 7″
Texas Bowie – 7″
Buffalo Skinner – 5.5″

EN 45 Carbon Steel Content:

Carbon- 0.68-0.70%
Silicon- 0.52%
Manganese- 0.89%
Sulphur- 0.010%
Phosphorous- 0.018%
This steel is tempered to increase the harness and is most suitable for all kinds of blades.

Norwegian Steel – (5429-***-***)

This steel is very fine quality and produced under rigid standards. The laminated blades are made of 3 layers of carbon steel: a very hard inner layer with a Rockwell hardness of 59 that is bonded to two outer layers of softer steel. Others are high carbon stainless containing chromium in order to help prevent rust.

Swedish Steel – (5428-***-***)

The quality of Swedish steel is legendary and the hard center layer of these laminated blades tests out at 59 on the Rockwell “C” scale. The two outer layers are bonded to the inner layer in order to provide ease of sharpening along with toughness and good edge holding ability.

Japanese Steel (5434-***-***)

These blades are made from 6A stainless steel, a superior blade steel with a much higher carbon content than 420 stainless.

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