Tell me about your practical experience with outdoor/hunting knives made with this steel. Sharpening, edge retention, rust, durability, care, etc.

Thanks, RS

In my experience 1095 is a very middle of the road in ease of sharpening and edge retention. They will rust if not coated and are very good for the price. One of the more durable steels.

It's definitely practical IMO.....

"Sharpening".....easy to sharpen...

"Edge retention"......it doesn't hold an edge as long as harder steels but that's why it's easy to sharpen....

"Rust".....it'll rust if you don't wipe it down but so will your rifle...

"Durability".....this one's still going after 50+ years of service.....


I really like 1095 but I also like leather sheaths and natural scales which aren't popular in this age of alphabet soup super steels either....

As with all the other blade steels--
It is all about the geometry and the heat treating.
jmho
Tim

From the man himself. Good heat treat will make you think 1095 is a wonder steel. Just keep it oiled.

I'm a fan of properly treated 1095. It has been around for a long time for several reasons.