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AR15.COM
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5/12/2010 4:20:42 PM EDT
Look I am ignorant of this stuff. I want a really good knife at a decent price. I am looking at two blades. One from DJ knives which is 1095 tool grade steel 1/4 inch thick blade. The other is from Ranger knives and he uses 5160 heat treated triple tempered to 58 RC. Which is the better knife or are there other questions I should ask about their knives? Need help. Thanks  for the help Keith375.
5/12/2010 5:24:50 PM EDT
[#1]
Never heard of DJ Knives, but Ranger Knives' reputation is first rate, from what I've read.

Both are carbon steels, though I can't speak to their individual qualities past that.
5/12/2010 6:58:05 PM EDT
[#2]
I've never heard of DJ's either. Ranger is GTG.

5160 makes great leaf springs. For knives I prefer 1095. It is pretty much standard now to heat treat and triple temper. Mine are, plus they get a cryogenic treatment.
5/12/2010 7:38:03 PM EDT
[#3]
In the right hands, 5160 makes better knives than 1095 in the wrong hands.  It's mostly a matter of preference and the intended function of the knife.
5/13/2010 5:09:25 AM EDT
[#4]
Thanks gentlemen I appreciate all the help. This will mainly be a field knife.
5/13/2010 5:13:22 AM EDT
[#5]
Timberwolf_71 your knives are fantastic. Appreciater you sharing the pictures.
5/13/2010 10:45:06 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
I've never heard of DJ's either. Ranger is GTG.

5160 makes great leaf springs. For knives I prefer 1095. It is pretty much standard now to heat treat and triple temper. Mine are, plus they get a cryogenic treatment.


I picked up a bar of 5160 to try my hand at stock removal after reading a bare bones knifemaking tutorial that recommended 5160, using a backyard fire, used motor oil for quenching, and the kitchen oven for tempering.

Is the heat treat/tempering process basically the same for 1095? If so, and since you say 1095 is superior for knives, I might pick up a bar of 1095 next time.
5/13/2010 12:06:45 PM EDT
[#7]
Doing it at home can be tricky. The heat treating is a bit temperamental and it has to be tempered at 600 degrees for an hour or so to get a rockwell of around 58. My oven doesn't even go that high on cleaning. If you want a higher hardness, you can do it at lower temps that an over could handle.

That's why I let Peter's do it for me. There are many steels in the 10xx range that would be easier than 1095.
5/13/2010 8:32:23 PM EDT
[#8]
Ok I have another question. Are Ranger knives made by Ontario and not Justin anymore. I am confused? Someone help me out. Does Justin oversee his knives through OKC or how does all this work. Again I am clueless.
5/14/2010 3:35:31 AM EDT
[#9]
Not exactly sure. I have heard that Ontario is making them since the take over, but haven't paid attention enough to substantiate it.
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