#1 Stainless for EDC Folder

[wutitiz]

When is 20CV going to kick in? Rick Hinderer uses it, and SOG has used it sparingly in fixed blades, but nobody else.

I voted for zdp-189 because it just outcuts everything I have tried, and with the three zdp knives I've had, there has been no real problems with either breakage or chipping. If you remember that the purpose of a knife is to cut, it's hard not to choose zdp.

That said, I still have a little more faith in S30V when it comes to toughness, just based on what I've read. My main EDC is still S30V.

 

[spyderco endura]

No VG-10? What you have here sir is an invalid poll.

 

[enderwiggin]

I was just about to say that! I'm actually liking VG-10 quite a bit so far!

 

[PatriotDan]

I voted for S30V. Most of my high performance blades in stainless are S30V. It's a great compromise between toughness and edge retention. Not so nice to sharpen.

I do and don't like ZDP. In my opinion, for general utility blades it lacks sufficient toughness. It holds a great edge though.

I do like blades with 440C and solid heat treat too! And 420HC is all good...

 

[JTR357]

I'm surprized there's no votes for 420HC.The only reason I put it up was because of all the die hard Buck fans here.
I'll do this poll again..maybe in a couple months..remembering to include VG10 & AUS-8 next time.

Thanks for participating everyone:thumbup:

 

[miro44]

I would also generally pick VG10, but in this poll, S30V, followed by 154CM. ZDP189 is probably the best steel there, but too hard to sharpen to be a good EDC steel for me.

 

[rifon2]

I've always liked 154CM; tough steel that takes and holds a very sharp edge.
Durable, reliable, and proven over many years. With many manufacturers and custom makers.

I also really like ZDP-189 and S30V, but they've not been around for as long.
Still, though, both take an amazing edge and really hold it.
So they're way up there on my list.

VG-10 is also excellent, as is the "almost stainless" D2.

 

[Redrummd]

I carry and use a S30V Lone Wolf Double Duty every day and I abuse the heck out of it. I pry other knives apart with its edge; cut sheetrock; scrape factory glues off brass and steel knife liners with it's edge; cut cardboard; prune trees and cut weeds out of the lawn with it. It has some very minor chips in it's edge but even after a week of abuse I can still cut cardboard....... I clean up the edge about once every week or two and the sharpening only takes about 1/2 the metal I was needing to take off the 440 steel of the Blackie Collins I carried before this one and it holds the edge about twice as long as the 440 blade.......

My next favorite is 420 steel as it is sooooooo easy to sharpen.

 

[topher]

I'll do this poll again..maybe in a couple months..remembering to include VG10 & AUS-8 next time.

You should include 440C, too. It's not my absolute favorite stainless, but for an EDC, it just might be. The increased stain resistance and ease of maintenance is just way too convenient in an EDC (on reason I love H-1).

 

[Ken C.]

With the proper heat treat and edge maintenance S30V is hard to beat, IMO. I have never had the "issues" some people have had with it and I use my knives hard.

 

[wutitiz]

How is it that 3% choose ATS-34 and 20% choose 154CM, when the two are essentially the same. That should say something right there.

 

[PatriotDan]

Deleted the post.

 

[Quick Draw]

ZDP189 was razor sharp right out of the box. My second choice would have been VG-10.

 

[ROBB]

For a stainless blade on a EDC folder I would pick talonite or stellite.If not that I would go with the old standard 440C.For the choices you list I picked BG42.

 

[Gunfucius]

I would say VG-10, 440C, and 420HC, in that order.

 

[Unsub]

How about the mid grade stainless as one choice. I think they often make just as good an EDC blade as the high end steel. 440C ,AUS8 and VG-10 are all very well suited to EDC. They take a great edge and polish ,are plenty tough enough for a folder ,everyone can heat treat them and you don't need diamonds to sharpen them. There are good reasons euro knife makers still use them.

 

[RossA]

Add another vote for 440C. I voted for 154CM since I also like it, but my all time favorite for a good all around steel is still 440C. I know, I'm a dinosaur.

 

[A.P.F.]

I'm surprized there's no votes for 420HC.The only reason I put it up was because of all the die hard Buck fans here.
I'll do this poll again..maybe in a couple months..remembering to include VG10 & AUS-8 next time.

Thanks for participating everyone:thumbup:

I am a die hard Buck fan, but most of my Custom 110's are in BG-42, so that got my vote.

 

[TR Graham]

All good steels, but my hands down favorite is VG10....

TR Graham
The Glocksmith

 

[gcgcgc]

I put S30V, but the VG10 on my Delica is fantastic, as well, and should get huge points for value.