5160

Since it really was developed for use as springs, which requires few of the qualities that is desirable in a blade, yet it is a good beginners alternative to L6 for large blades, I must give this one a reluctant "round-peg" rating. Quite often it is sold with a range from .5-.6% carbon, if you get the .60 stuff I guess I have to agree to this steel if I agree to 1060. And with the help of Chrome and manganese it is deeper hardening and the extra ferrite helps make it quite shock resistant for large chopping blades. It does forge quite nice and moves very easily under the hammer.

One thing about this steel that I really must mention, however, is the quality control as of late. Many knifemakers have been complaining of strange "stringers" or "pits" that suddenly appear when the stuff is at the final polish. The reply from some of the manufacturers is "It is for springs! We have neve had to worry about it finishing out pretty." This problem has many who are fond of this alloy looking for other grades of 5160.

For the record, I used this steel for many years until dropping it in favor of L6.

Click on the appropriate link below to go the Admiral Steels page for this alloy:

Admiral Steel®: 5160