GIN-1 steel

[heavy handed]

i was about to pull the trigger on the spyderco ukpk rescue (cpm s30v), when i noticed that the new frn versions coud be available in the next few months at half the cost of the g10/s30v version.
this knife would go into my work rotation, at the moment i swap between the byrd wings slippit (8cr13mov), and the spyderco bob terzuola (cpm s30v)

the byrd wings se blade can get scary sharp and holds a good working edge, i use my se at work more than a plain edge, i cut cardboard, water hoses,and fan belts daily ,and the knife gets coverd in dirt and oil and i am impressed with how well the 8cr13mov copes.


does any one have first hand experiance GIN-1 ,eg rust resistance, edge holding, how easy the blade sharpens etc.

many thanks
heavy handed

 

[Zed]

I think i read the Gin-1 holds a good edge but is hard to sharpen,

paul

[heavy handed]

  thanks mate

[2xTap]

I only own one knife in GIN-1 and it isn't a user so I have no experience with this particular steel. That said, looking at it's composition GIN-1 falls in between AUS-8 and 440-C. It being a bit closer to 440-C.

2xTap

[David]

If I`ve  heard correctly Gin-1 is similar to 440C. I have limited experience with it. I have some older Spyderco`s made with it but don't use them that much. A interesting side note is that when Spyderco`s first started stamping the blades with the steel used the Gin-1 blades were marked G-2.

[2xTap]

David,

G-2 was the original designator for the steel. I'm not sure why Hitachi changed it to GIN-1, I never did find out the particulars to this.

2xTap

[kwakster]

Sal Glesser spoke about this steel at the last Amsterdam Meet, which i and many of the Dutch forum members attended.

The original designation of the steel is GIN-1 and is being produced by Hitachi.
When Spyderco decided to use the steel in the 80's they could not use the original name GIN-1 on the blades, as that name was being used exclusively by another knife company.
 
Spyderco however got permission from Hitachi to use the steel, only under a different name, and they came up with G-2, which stood for 'Good too' according to Sal.
Only when the exclusive deal between Hitachi and the unnamed other knife company ended was Spyderco allowed to use the original name again.
 

[heavy handed]

I only own one knife in GIN-1 and it isn't a user so I have no experience with this particular steel. That said, looking at it's composition GIN-1 falls in between AUS-8 and 440-C. It being a bit closer to 440-C.

2xTap

cheers , it sounds like it could be a good working steel.

[donvito]

Thanks for that bit of info kwakster

@ heavy handed how do you find the rust resistance of your 8Cr13MoV blades?

[heavy handed]

Thanks for that bit of info kwakster

@ heavy handed how do you find the rust resistance of your 8Cr13MoV blades?

im very surprised and pleased  :tu:with  the 8cr13mov rust resistance, i clean and lightly oil the blade with a cotton bud every 2 weeks, and i have not got a single spec of rust on either blade, and that is after 6 months of carrying in my trouser pocket, and the knife getting covered in dirt, oil and grease.