6A vs Vanadium

[ABirch]

I'm looking at either 6A high carbon stainless or high vanadium stainless for a full tang small skinner (6-6 1/2" OAL). What are the pros and cons of each? Which is the better steel?

Thanks Guys!

Adrian

[Ray Rogers]

It may be a while before anybody come along who can really answer your question. 6A is not a steel commonly used by American knifemakers so our experience with it will likely be very limited.

Vanadium in the proper amount will help a steel form carbides, especially when chromium is present, and this is generally a good thing where knife blades are concerned.

Without knowing specifically what steels you have access to that is really about all I can say about it. Why not make a knife with both steels and compare them? You need only make the blade and sharpen it for testing. A nice finish and a handle can wait until your testing tells you which is the better steel for your purposes...