Steel comes in a variety of forms. This is because steel needs to serve a variety of functions. It is alloyed with many different kinds of metals for a myriad of different purposes. The different types of metals used in the creation of steel gives it different properties, which is why there are different kinds of steel available. Common to all types of steel is carbon, which can be found in varying quantities, depending upon the intended use of the steel being processed.
Properties of 1095 Steel
1095 Steel is a basic form of carbon steel and is most commonly used in the construction of various kinds of knives. It has a carbon content of .95% which serves to harden the steel and reduce the amount of wear that a blade will experience over time. Despite the reduction in wear created by the high presence of carbon, 1095 steel is not as tough as other types of steel due to the lower levels of manganese, which serves to harden the steel. Yet, although manganese hardens steel when used in certain levels, in higher levels it makes for a more brittle blade overall.
1095 Steel for Knives
1095 steel, when used in knives, holds a great edge and is very easy to sharpen. However, the properties of this type of steel give it a tendency to easily rust if not oiled and deliberately cared for. These kinds of blades will usually have some kind of coating to combat rusting, but so long as the blade is properly cared for, rust should not be too great a problem for anyone.
Because 1095 steel can be considered more brittle than other types of steel, it is generally good for blades that are not too thin. It is easy to sharpen, but if a blade made with this type of steel doesn’t have a decent amount of thickness behind it, it is liable to break easily. For example, it is not an appropriate grade of steel for tools, folding knives, or sushi knives.
1095 can be heat treated to increase its overall strength, but if 1095 steel gets brittle after that point, there is not much that can be done about it and it may break on you. Though it can be used in tools such as chopping knives, it is not necessarily the most effective choice. It shines, but there are other steels out there which are better formulated to be used in such objects. 1095, though not alloyed with chromium like stainless steel, takes a great polish very easily.
Our Favorite Knife Made with 1095 Steel
TOPS Knives Steel Eagle Delta Class is no slouch when it comes to performance, but it gets top marks for looks! Its “Rambo-esque” features make it look exceptionally aggressive, and while it is that, it’s also as practical as most knives in its class. It features a 7.5″ clip point blade with a full tang. The Acid Rain finish and sawback spine add to the sweet looks, while the toughness of the black and brown layered linen Micarta handle finishes the knife with superb looks and durable toughness. Lest you think this knife is all bark and no bite (metaphorically speaking of course), you’ll want to take note that it has been tested for over 10 years in a row within the military and special ops communities and has not been found lacking!
This Steel Eagle Delta Class series fixed blade has been outfitted with a 7.5″ clip point blade in an Acid Rain finish and brown micarta handle scales.
The Steel Eagle series has been time-tested over 10 continuous years in the field. In every terrain and in all conditions, the Steel Eagle knife has proven its strength, durability, versatility and dependability within the Special Operations Community. This Steel Eagle knife features a full tang clip point blade with a durable acid rain coating and a sawback spine. The handle is made of brown and black layered linen Micarta. Item includes a brown kydex sheath with a belt clip attachment.
How to care for 1095 Steel
To keep your 1095 knife rust free and working for the longest time possible, rinse it off after every use, wipe it clean, and oil it once a week. The oil forms a barrier that prevents moisture from reaching the steel. It also gives your knife a very shiny look.
Good uses for 1095
1095 steel would be perfect for functional show swords, such as those found throughout military ceremonies. It would also function very well in replica swords and blades, as well as daggers. Though other types of steel, especially stainless, would be more useful and efficient for a variety of utensil uses, 1095 is still very useful for a number of dining tools. Other uses for 1095 grade steel include any of the general functions that any kind of knife could perform. It is also a very good metal for blades used in ritual, or religious purposes. It is often used in some types of machetes.