What is this ? ? ?

MITCH RAPP · Post by **MITCH RAPP** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:05 pm

I noticed today that Cold Steel has a new line of cheap fixed blades.

The steel is listed as "4116 KRUP STAINLESS STEEL". My question is

what the heck is 4116 Krup?

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:45 pm

Well, it's not in my Heat Treaters Guide book, so I did a Google search. Best I can come up with is that it is a proprietary product made in mainland China. Looks like they are in Shanghai and is a joint venture between ThyssenKrupp and Baosteel, whoever they are. Looks like it is cold rolled in sheets. I would like to see what the alloy is, just out of curiosity.
BTW, I got the Heat Treaters Guide 2nd Edition (Practices and Procedures for Irons and Steels) from Amazon.com, it is a used book in excellent condition. New they cost about $230.00 or $240.00, so I feel pretty lucky to get it for just under $100.

It pays to shop around on that book.

MITCH RAPP · Post by **MITCH RAPP** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:24 am

Thanks! for the info Hukk. I guess with down sizing at Camillus, Cold

Steel is venturing into main land China for some of there

knife production

jabberwocky · Post by **jabberwocky** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:05 pm

MITCH RAPP and Hukk...

Hi guys...I'm not sure if this will help, but I hope so. I found this site that gives a breakdown of the composition of some stainless steels:

http://www.bssa.org.uk/articles/article.asp?id=97

Anyway, about 1/2 way down the chart, they list Martensitic Stainless Steels - Standard Grades. Here, you'll find the steel name (X50CrMoV15)
as well as the steel number (1.4116), and a breakdown of the composition of the steel. Doesn't register much as far as my knowledge of the topic goes, but maybe it'll help you guys.

cj

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:13 pm

Thanks, that does help. I found the followng discussions on Blade Forums.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/archi ... 31249.html
I also saw a site which sold Solingen Germany kitchen knives that were cheap and some were "factory forged" that were up to $175.00.

Read frank k for specifc comments on this steel. There is also a comment on the Case steel. The guy calls the Case tru-sharp steel a 420 variant. It is an interesting thread.

Gr8Scout · Post by **Gr8Scout** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:11 pm

So anyone tried these inexpensive knives?

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 12:17 am

I haven't, but after reading what the alloy consists of I suspect it would be an above average kitchen knife and probably a decent fixed blade that would have to be sharpened a little more often (56Rc). I still like a fixed blade D2 hardened to around 59Rc. Although D2 is a tool steel it's chromium content is almost enough to be considered stainless (~12%).
So, I suspect the metal would be "decent", the rest of the story would be fit and finish.

MITCH RAPP · Post by **MITCH RAPP** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:21 am

The new model knives haven't hit the market yet, they are just

taking pre-orders. Probably March / April. They are listed on the Cold

Steel web site under "New Arrivals"