ARF and 904L

[Tribal]

It's not true that 904L less scratch! It's also not harder than 316L.
There are also variants on 904 Steel.
But in fact u are right about everything else.

[P4GTR]

It's not true that 904L less scratch! It's also not harder than 316L.
There are also variants on 904 Steel.
But in fact u are right about everything else.

Another hobby of mine is knives. I know with the steels used, there is a direct trade off between edge retention, durability/hardness, and the steels ability to withstand the elements and not tarnish. Harder steels in the knife world tend to have higher carbon content. High carbon tool steel used for tools, ball bearings and such while harder, are more prone to corrosion. So a corrosion resistant formulated steel such as 904L should perhaps be softer and scratch even easier than 316. My 904L sea dweller has accumulated just as many desk dives as any other Rolex bracelet I've worn. I do appreciate knowing it's likely to hold up well if worn in the ocean.

[daytonadragon]

Another hobby of mine is knives. I know with the steels used, there is a direct trade off between edge retention, durability/hardness, and the steels ability to withstand the elements and not tarnish. Harder steels in the knife world tend to have higher carbon content. High carbon tool steel used for tools, ball bearings and such while harder, are more prone to corrosion. So a corrosion resistant formulated steel such as 904L should perhaps be softer and scratch even easier than 316. My 904L sea dweller has accumulated just as many desk dives as any other Rolex bracelet I've worn. I do appreciate knowing it's likely to hold up well if worn in the ocean.

In a few years Rolex will start using a new stainless steel and claim it is better than 904L Stainless Steel and charge more for it.

[SnowPuppy]

It's not true that 904L less scratch! It's also not harder than 316L.
There are also variants on 904 Steel.
But in fact u are right about everything else.

Thanks, I actually said it wasn't harder than 316l, but I do feel it scratches a little less for some reason. I realize I could be wrong, I'm just going off of one watch I have vs others I've owned/own.

Maybe (probably lol) I've just been lucky with this particular watch, or maybe I've been more careful (doubtful, there are plenty of "ding" episodes where I swear, and then check the watch) but nothing really seems to phase it for some reason. Of course there are a couple small scratches, but after daily wear for going on 4 months, I'd expect a lot more, I pretty much bought it as a daily wear "beater" watch (although I hate that phrase, I do try to keep my things nice, and I don't beat on them), but having seen "real" daily wear Rolexes, and seeing the scratches they get, I figured it's just part of wearing a watch.

Another hobby of mine is knives. I know with the steels used, there is a direct trade off between edge retention, durability/hardness, and the steels ability to withstand the elements and not tarnish. Harder steels in the knife world tend to have higher carbon content. High carbon tool steel used for tools, ball bearings and such while harder, are more prone to corrosion. So a corrosion resistant formulated steel such as 904L should perhaps be softer and scratch even easier than 316. My 904L sea dweller has accumulated just as many desk dives as any other Rolex bracelet I've worn. I do appreciate knowing it's likely to hold up well if worn in the ocean.

Knives are a hobby of mine too. I tend to prefer non-stainless knives for their higher carbon content and relative ease of sharpening. If I had to choose from "stainless" knife steels though, 154cm is a pretty good, affordable steel, and I also like SV30/35 for the edge retention. Some of the "tool steels" like O2/D2 are cool, but a ***** to maintain the edge on, and you still need to worry about the elements...they're tough as nails though!!!