Ontario RD series

stitcher · January 13, 2013, 09:02

Anyone have experience or knowledge of the 5160 steel used in the Rd blades?

**longhair51** · January 13, 2013, 19:09

5160 is a common spring steel once used to make car leaf springs. It has been used by many custom knife makers. It's use has declined somewhat, because of newer steels comming to the market.

It is not stain resistant.

Although 5160 is a good steel, you need to recognize that a knife may be born on the forge, but it grows up during the heat treat. A lot of steels make good knives. A good heat treatment makes a great knife.

stitcher · January 13, 2013, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhair51

5160 is a common spring steel once used to make car leaf springs. It has been used by many custom knife makers. It's use has declined somewhat, because of newer steels comming to the market.

It is not stain resistant.

Although 5160 is a good steel, you need to recognize that a knife may be born on the forge, but it grows up during the heat treat. A lot of steels make good knives. A good heat treatment makes a great knife.

So how does it stack against my old favorite 1095?

**longhair51** · January 14, 2013, 01:35

"So how does it stack against my old favorite 1095?"

Technically, 5160 is tougher(chopping, shock resistance). Many custom swords are made using 5160. 1095 has marginally better edge retention, but less toughness.

I like both steels but personally would go with 5160 if I new how the heat treatment was done. Otherwise I would not care which steel was used.

In real world use you would probably not notice much difference.

**Andy the Aussie** · January 14, 2013, 12:59

A perfect example if the heat treat used by ESEE (Rowen) and (back in the day) Ontario on their RAT series knives. The ESEE 1095 consistently outperformed almost identical blades.

stitcher · January 14, 2013, 18:44

I am looking at the new ontario ranger knives, choosing the 1095 or the 5160. Thanks for your assistance!

January 13, 2013, 09:02	#1
stitcher Registered FALaholic #: 65879 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somerset, Pa Posts: 311	Ontario RD series Anyone have experience or knowledge of the 5160 steel used in the Rd blades? __________________ "There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men." - Edmund Burke

January 13, 2013, 19:09	#2
longhair51 Constitutional curmudgeon Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 5884 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: MO Posts: 1,248	5160 is a common spring steel once used to make car leaf springs. It has been used by many custom knife makers. It's use has declined somewhat, because of newer steels comming to the market. It is not stain resistant. Although 5160 is a good steel, you need to recognize that a knife may be born on the forge, but it grows up during the heat treat. A lot of steels make good knives. A good heat treatment makes a great knife. __________________ "Political language — and with variations this is true of all political parties, from Conservatives to Anarchists — is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." George Orwell Last edited by longhair51; January 13, 2013 at 19:16.

January 14, 2013, 01:35	#4
longhair51 Constitutional curmudgeon Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 5884 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: MO Posts: 1,248	"So how does it stack against my old favorite 1095?" Technically, 5160 is tougher(chopping, shock resistance). Many custom swords are made using 5160. 1095 has marginally better edge retention, but less toughness. I like both steels but personally would go with 5160 if I new how the heat treatment was done. Otherwise I would not care which steel was used. In real world use you would probably not notice much difference. __________________ "Political language — and with variations this is true of all political parties, from Conservatives to Anarchists — is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." George Orwell

January 14, 2013, 18:44	#6
stitcher Registered FALaholic #: 65879 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somerset, Pa Posts: 311	I am looking at the new ontario ranger knives, choosing the 1095 or the 5160. Thanks for your assistance! __________________ "There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men." - Edmund Burke

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