On Steel

Legacy Steel vs. Super Steel

Steel choice is about matching the tool to the task, but sometimes the task is unknown or develops from unforeseen circumstances. We know you can carry any steel into the realm of toughness with padded geometry; what we're talking about here is lean geometry that cuts as a baseline of performance.

The Tradeoffs at a Glance:

52100 @ 58-60 HRC: Ideal for hard use where impact resistance and field-sharpenability matter more than max edge retention.
Ultra-Hard/Wear-Resistant Steels: These often stainless options excel in specific environments or demanding conditions, like maritime use, or cutting highly-abrasive media. While usually exhibiting a lower threshold to induce catastrophic failure if pushed past their optimal use envelope.

Rather than let these differences divide, we take the pragmatic, holistic approach. Instead of a binary solution, we see a synergy of systemic inclusion, where two or more tools can combine into something greater than the individual components in isolation.

Our 52100: Built for the Grind

At Meridian Knives, our approach is to offer engineered solutions that value adaptability over absolutes. Our core design philosophy leans heavily towards maximizing capability for the needs of demanding use wherever it finds you. That's why our core offerings will feature the legendary 52100 Ball Bearing steel. When properly hardened, this steel delivers an outstanding combination of toughness, edge retention, and true field-sharpenability. This performance focus means these core offerings are an exceptional choice for any situation, always ready to deliver if the unexpected happens.

Some will say that ultra-hard or wear-resistant steels hold an edge so well they rarely need sharpening, even more so with regular stropping. That's true, until it isn't. As the saying goes, 'knives that stay sharp forever, stay dull forever.' This is especially true in the field, as mistakes happen. You hit a rock, encounter an unforeseen obstacle, or push the tool just a bit too hard. When your blade takes damage or a significant roll, that's when a steel that's almost impossible to sharpen away from a dedicated setup can let you down.

That's where our 52100 shines; its optimal performance value comes when tempered to 58-60 Rockwell. In this sweet spot range, knives hold a great edge, retain critical toughness, and are able to have their edge repaired with minimal tools or effort, even in the field. We understand that a field-sharpenable edge isn't just a feature, it's a necessity for a truly functional companion. Real-world experience teaches you to look at edge retention not only as a metric of performance in a single sharpening cycle, but also in terms of repair and recovery potential.

Don't sell your system short, our knives in 52100 are playing for keeps.