Depends on what you're after. For a hard use knife, I like simpler, lss expensive steels.
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154cm vs s30v vs m390 vs 13C26 Sandvik
- Thread starter PatrickKnight
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Depends on what you're after. For a hard use knife, I like simpler, lss expensive steels.
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+1. :thumbup:
Trying to find a single 'best' steel is like trying to determine the 'best' knife - it's not possible. What works best for one knife user might not work well for the next.
Out of OP's list, I'd personally take 154cm and 13c26 as my favourites (although I admit I haven't used M390). I've warmed up to S30V and BD30P over the past little while (thanks to the magic of diamond stones and diamond paste, I guess), but initially I found that the additional wear resistance/edge holding they provided over 154cm or 13c26 didn't really outweigh the extra time and effort required to sharpen them. That's just my personal preference and all, but it goes to show that some folks might not be after the latest and most exciting new steel for their user knives.
Well, I like M390 very well too.
But, from the data charts I've looked at, they don't support the idea that M390 is tougher than S30v.
It's more like D2 for toughness, and S30v is much higher.
M390 shines much better than S30v for wear resistance.
Here's an example chart. I realize charts are generic, but they do give decent directional pointers of relative merits.
http://www.simplytoolsteel.com/M390-stainless-steel-data-sheet.html
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that chart seems rather odd, here's some from Crucible, and from a study comparing several alloys, including M390 and S90V
M390 wouldn't be ahead by much, and it is difficult to compare impact tests without them being done identically, but the results for most of the alloys in that link look well off.
M390 wouldn't be ahead by much, and it is difficult to compare impact tests without them being done identically, but the results for most of the alloys in that link look well off.
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I say buy two identical knives. One in s30v and another in m390. I'm Feel very fortunate that I am able to have both. S30v is harder to sharpen and from my usage I believe m390 is tougher and holds and edge a lot better. Too each their own but m390 is the better steel on personal experience. I agree certain steels are "good enough" for some people.... But why settle? Just my personal opinion I'm sure some people will agree or disagree. Hell I love striders s30v but not other knife makers similar. Too each their own
gga357
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that chart seems rather odd, here's some from Crucible, and from a study comparing several alloys, including M390 and S90V
M390 wouldn't be ahead by much, and it is difficult to compare impact tests without them being done identically, but the results for most of the alloys in that link look well off.
I have been trying to quantify M390 toughness in a way that will relate to the crucible info. I you convert the ~40j to ft-lbs you get ~30 ft-lbs. Crucible's data sheet puts S35Vn at 12 ft-lbs. This suggests that M390 is 2.5-3 times the toughness, BUT are the tests the same or similar enough.
My interest is in M390 vs 3v. I like the idea of wear resistance equal to or better then M4 and toughness 2.5 times S35Vn/S30V. I love my M390 blades and not willing to break them to find out.
All the steels you mention can meet your needs if they have the proper Heat Treatment and Edge Geometry.
Buy a knife from a maker you trust and the rest will take care of itself.
If you are sharpening challenged, the Sandvik steel most easily sharpens to a scary edge.
Big Mike