What kind of Steel?

[Praying-Mantis]

Hi,

I want to buy a knife, not for combat or self-defense, it's going to be used as a tool. What kind of steel do I have to look for?

4034-55HRC
What does this mean?
It's a kind of steel, I think 55HRC indicates how hard it is, but what do the other numbers mean?
Is it a good steel?


praying-mantis

 

[KenpoTess]

Knives


Here's a bunch of Links.. hopefully something there you can use
Good luck

Tess

 

[Phil Elmore]

A lot of people spend a great deal of time fretting over steels and exploring the details of complicated steel alloys, but I think this is unnecessary. A good heat treat is at least as important as the blade steel. Buy a reputable brand of utility knife and you shouldn't have any problems, though with time and use you'll learn how often it becomes necessary to resharpen you blade. I think the first thing you have to ask yourself is whether you need a stainless steel blade or not, and that will depend on if you are in a "rust-prone" environment (such as working around salt water).