12-11-2017, 02:28 PM
Thank you Mr Jan, it's always good to know we are on the same page. 
I've always been impressed with Swedish steel, and I've never heard anything that might make me think otherwise. I've actually been using it all my life. My very first fixed blade was a regular small Skandi in a leather sheath. It fit my 5 year old hand well, which is probably the exact reason my Grandad handed it down to me. Sure wish I still had it, but I grew into bigger knives.
Sandvik stainless knife steels have always met high standards, especially for the price, which continues to this day. I've never heard anything but praise for their ability to take a very keen edge, which always means clean, fine grain steel.
There are a handful of Sandvik steels that are fairly common in high grade Knives, and 12C27 might be the best all around blade steel. I think it would be very difficult to tell much difference in these with similar designations and chemical makeup. HERE is a good comparison chart, but with different heat treating, the differences can be minimized. The newest one I hear most about, 14C28N, is not much different than the others. A little harder or a little tougher than 12C27, depending on HT. In hands on comparisons I've read they are hard to tell apart, but 14C28N is often compared to VG10, which is one of my favorite steels.
I don't forge any stainless, so I'm sorry to be of little help there. Usually this type of steel comes in Exact sizes, which is geared more toward stock removal or stainless damascus.
I would not hesitate to use Sandvik for pattern welded stainless, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on forging it!
I've always been impressed with Swedish steel, and I've never heard anything that might make me think otherwise. I've actually been using it all my life. My very first fixed blade was a regular small Skandi in a leather sheath. It fit my 5 year old hand well, which is probably the exact reason my Grandad handed it down to me. Sure wish I still had it, but I grew into bigger knives.
Sandvik stainless knife steels have always met high standards, especially for the price, which continues to this day. I've never heard anything but praise for their ability to take a very keen edge, which always means clean, fine grain steel.
There are a handful of Sandvik steels that are fairly common in high grade Knives, and 12C27 might be the best all around blade steel. I think it would be very difficult to tell much difference in these with similar designations and chemical makeup. HERE is a good comparison chart, but with different heat treating, the differences can be minimized. The newest one I hear most about, 14C28N, is not much different than the others. A little harder or a little tougher than 12C27, depending on HT. In hands on comparisons I've read they are hard to tell apart, but 14C28N is often compared to VG10, which is one of my favorite steels.
I don't forge any stainless, so I'm sorry to be of little help there. Usually this type of steel comes in Exact sizes, which is geared more toward stock removal or stainless damascus.
I would not hesitate to use Sandvik for pattern welded stainless, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on forging it!