154cm vs s30v vs m390 vs 13C26 Sandvik

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PatrickKnight

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Jan 24, 2012
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I was wondering which steel would be best suited for a hard use edc folder. Im concerned about things like edge retention, rust resistance, and how hard it is to put an edge back on it when that time comes.

Thanks in advance guys
 
M390 is the best of the ones you listed. Obviously, it will likely take the longest to sharpen, but shouldn't be an issue if you use diamonds.
 
Short answer is basically m390 then s30v then 154cm then 13c26 Sandvik in term of cutting ability best to worst from the test in the link. Toughness may change that up though in a hard use knife I think.
 
M390 is easy to touch up FYI just tossing that out there after reading it. Coworker Sharpened minipocket rocket for a customer and that thing took the edge fast.
 
M390 is in its own league. It slices really well, is very stainless and holds an edge forever. Ive been carry my BM710 in 390 every day for about a month and I still haven't sharpened it and it will still shave. I dont use it for anything more than opening packages, slicing up an apple etc... but its edge holding compared to S30V is worlds better.
 
KalEl said:
M390 is in its own league. It slices really well, is very stainless and holds an edge forever. Ive been carry my BM710 in 390 every day for about a month and I still haven't sharpened it and it will still shave. I dont use it for anything more than opening packages, slicing up an apple etc... but its edge holding compared to S30V is worlds better.
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Does it lose anything in terms of stainless properties from having such fine grained edge retention? I know that everyone should oil their knives properly but I'm curious.
 
KalEl said:
M390 is in its own league. It slices really well, is very stainless and holds an edge forever. Ive been carry my BM710 in 390 every day for about a month and I still haven't sharpened it and it will still shave. I dont use it for anything more than opening packages, slicing up an apple etc... but its edge holding compared to S30V is worlds better.
Click to expand...

Agree. The edge retention of M390 is far better than that of anything else I've tried except CPM M4, which held an edge just as well, but did not outperform M390.

spyderco lover said:
Does it lose anything in terms of stainless properties from having such fine grained edge retention? I know that everyone should oil their knives properly but I'm curious.
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I've been carrying and using a Benchmade 710 in M390. I live a couple of miles from the beach and it shows no sign of corrosion issues. However, I'm not certain what you would see if you put them side by side in a salt spray chamber.

I found M390 surprisingly easy to sharpen, but I used diamond stones for it.

best suited for a hard use edc folder
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Define hard use.
 
It may just be me, but i feel as though 154cm may not hold an edge as long as s30v, it keeps a razor sharp edge longer. s30v holds a working edge a decent ammount longer than the 154 cm. and the 12c26 Sandvik steel will work fine, but is not of the same quality you would be getting with the other three choices. also keep in mind the shape of the blade and the grind. those are also important factors to take into consideration
 
110417 said:
It may just be me, but i feel as though 154cm may not hold an edge as long as s30v, it keeps a razor sharp edge longer. s30v holds a working edge a decent ammount longer than the 154 cm. and the 12c26 Sandvik steel will work fine, but is not of the same quality you would be getting with the other three choices. also keep in mind the shape of the blade and the grind. those are also important factors to take into consideration
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+1. :thumbup: I think you're right on the money about that part.
 
TriviaMonster said:
Short answer is basically m390 then s30v then 154cm then 13c26 Sandvik in term of cutting ability best to worst from the test in the link. Toughness may change that up though in a hard use knife I think.
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This ^, so my vote is M390
IMG_2348.jpg
 
For edge holding, the M390.
For toughness, the S30V.

In a folder, I think the edge holding of the M390 would be the choice.
 
M390 is still very tough. it can be touched up far faster than s30v..... holds an edge longer. doesnt chip just rolls. rust resistance is very high. buddy of mine cut through a coke can with it and no edge damage other than minor rolling.
M390 is amazing stuff
 
13C26 no question. Of course I just got my first S30V knife, so my view may be hopelessly skewed.
 
I am still scratching my head over M390. I had occasion to correct the grind on one of my M390 710's using conventional stones. I couldn't believe how easy it was to do, yet the edge keeps going and going, with an occasional touch-up on a loaded belt.

As has been said, M390 is truly in a league of it's own.
 
My order of preference: M390 by a long chalk, then S30V, preferably heat treated good and hard, then 154CM then the Sandvik one. But really, M390 is a monster steel. Why settle for less?
 
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