Why 1095 for Fixed Blades?

[Kale]

I've been looking into fixed blade options and found that carbon steel was still very common. That seems odd when we have inexpensive stainless steels that are equally tough and easy to maintain (some online sources suggest 14c28n is significantly tougher than 1095). I know carbon steel can have better fine edge holding, but I doubt that matters when we're talking about sharpened prybars like the BK2 (which is still in 1095 cro van).

Is there a benefit to carbon steel, or is it just a matter of sticking with what's tried-and-true?

[TomAiello]

I think it's just tried and true. I don't like 1095 personally, and vastly prefer either a more 'high end' carbon steel with much better edge holding (like K390) better toughness/edge combination (like 3v) or better stainlessness (like Magnacut).

I love 14c28n as a budget option though. It seems to me to be the best mass market budget steel going right now. I don't think it's possible, but I'd view a step up from 8cr to 14c as a major improvement for Spyderco's made in China knives.

[VooDooChild]

Carbon steel is cheaper.
Its also easier and less expensive to heat treat carbon steel.

And by carbon steel I mean stuff like 1095, not super steels.

[Jim Malone]

Easier to sharpen in the field.

[JRinFL]

Also, from a manufactures point of view, the raw material is dirt cheap, the heat treat is relatively simple with lower cost, and that average person doesn't know any better and that all adds up to higher profits.

VDC made most of the points before I did.

[JD Spydo]

That 1095 has been a really dependable blade steel for many years. Of course it will never stack up against many of these new Supersteels that have arrived on the scene. But it's relatively easy to sharpen and it's pretty cheap when compared to stuff like S-30V, M390, K390 or any number of these newer/better blade steels.

It has it's place in the knife world. And for using in harsh conditions and brutal jobs it might still be a great pick. But when you become a connoisseur of fine cutlery like many of us here on the Forum have become over the years.. Well let's put it this way>> it's the difference between a TIMEX watch and a ROLEX watch. They are in two completely different paradigms IMO.