5 or More Steels Every Collection Should Have???

Steels in my collection:
CPMS30V, s35VN
8Cr13MoV
14c28N
CTS20CP, 204P, BD1, BD30
CPM-M4, CPM-154
154CM
VG10, Aogami SuperBlue, ZDP-189
M390
D2
Steels I've owned: 440HC, 420C, Elmax, 13c26, CTS-XHP
Steels I want: S110v, S90v, CTS-XHP again

I'm not a steel snob my no means, I tend to acquire knives that I like in general and the steel choices are just one of many details to look at when buying. I do appreciate the quality in these high end steels in use. No one's mention SuperBlue... If you intend on collectiing steel types check it out, I've enjoyed it in my Caly3.5 thoroughly and keep an eye out for future releases with it.
 
Generally I wouldn't consider "buying a steel" so to speak, but rather would concentrate on a particular steel if a specific model of knife were offered with different steel options. For instance, when looking for a smallish knife to replace my lost SOG Flash I, I came across the mini-grip. In researching the mini-grip, I discovered that there were options to be had other than 154CM and I was intrigued. For the record, I replaced my Flash I with a carbon fiber Chaparral which I absolutely love, (I still intend on getting a mini-grip soon). Back to the point, now when I see a knife that interests me, I want to be educated enough as to what steels may be offered and how or why they might appeal to me. So far I would say that this thread has offered me much to think about. Thank you to all who have replied.
 
I have (in order of best to worst given my limited knowledge, I could be very wrong):

D2 (Kershaw Outcast Kukri)
Sandvik 14C28N (Kershaw Leek, Blur, Skyline)
1095 (I think?)(USMC KA-BAR)
AUS-8 (SOG Seal Pup)
420HC (Bunch of Bucks)
8Cr13MoV (Assorted Kershaw, SOG's, etc.)
3Cr13? (Kershaw Shuffle)
Whatever mystery steel my Gerber LMF II is made from.


I want to make the jump to premiums but I don't have the cash to shell out and I'm afraid I wouldn't use a knife that was really expensive for fear of losing it.
 
If it's a collection then I'd have to say steels that are more rare, or at least more rare in my mind, at least if I'm going to purchase them for the uniqueness of the blade steel.

Infini
Stellite
K390
BG42
Titanium
Any of the various laminated blades
Any of the various damascus blades

Now if I was just going to pick "classic" steels

ATS34
S30V
1095
440C
154CM
01
 
1) O-1, W2, or 1095 ( rc 59-61)
2) ATS 34/154cm or VG10 ( rc 60-61)
3) D2, CPM 154, S30V, or Elmax, BG42, CTS B75 (rc 60-62)
4) S110V or 10V/A11 ( rc 63.5 to 64.5)
5) M2, CPM M4, or CPM Cruwear, CTS-PD#1, Zapp Z wear ( M2 at rc 65, m4 at rc 64-65, Cruwear or clone at rc 62-63)
6) Inox, 12C29(M), 13C26, AEBL (rc 57-59 )
 
I've made the mistake of buying a knife for the steel type before so I would say instead of listing particular steel types we think a 'decent collection' would contain, rather just collect the knives you enjoy owning regardless of steel type. Sorry, that's a boring reply, but just how I feel. :(
 
Of the steels I have made knives from, used, and tested:

CPM S110V With a super thin edge will cut forever, all the letters and numbers just make it sound cool
CPM 4V This steel just performs. Takes insane edges, cuts like a chainsaw, it just performs and does it well
PD 1 Toughness King IMO. Will make an indestructible knife that also takes and holds an incredible edge
CPM M4 Tried and tested tool steel. Great toughness and great edge holding even with very thin edges
PSF 27 This is the sleeper steel. Can be ground thin like PM steels, but has cutting characteristics like conventional D2. Excellent performer all around.
 
fetzer85 said:
I've made the mistake of buying a knife for the steel type before so I would say instead of listing particular steel types we think a 'decent collection' would contain, rather just collect the knives you enjoy owning regardless of steel type. Sorry, that's a boring reply, but just how I feel. :(
Click to expand...
I did this a couple weeks ago. Bought some Camillus folder for $70 brand new because it had VG-10 steel with G-10 handles. Returned it 2 days later. There was no texture at all on the G-10 although it looked like they attempted it and failed. The liner lock was poor at best and if not careful you would cut your fingers bad. It was stupidly big and clumsy to open and I have really big hands. One of the handle screws had a stripped helicoil or whatever they use and would just keep spinning when you try to tighten it.

If I ever buy a knife just for the steel again it's going to at least be from a reputable company not the new Chinese camillus. But I don't recommend buying a knife JUST for the steel either. I would however, NOT buy a knife BECAUSE of the steel. If it was VERY poor steel and a nice looking knife I wouldn't buy it.

All that said I desperately want at least some S30V. Best steel I have is D2 on one knife and its a kukri machete from Kershaw, not exactly an edc. Best steel I own for those is a few Sandvik 14C28N Kershaws. Everything else is 8Cr13MoV and 420HC Bucks. Then its a steep drop to crap and mystery steels.
 
Good lists..

But shouldn't good old fashion 440C be on the top of any list? As the seminal steel?

What steel do novice knifemakers begin with?
 
I'd want a "just good enough" type steel like 8cr13mov. Something very easy to sharpen (to learn sharpening), something that isn't going to hurt your feelings to use hard, something that probably didn't cost much either. A good but inexpensive knife has a lot of value for any collection. Working into super steels is a great joy, but starting there without any previous average or just good enough steel options kills a little of the appreciation and robs a lot of learning.
 
The only steels I'm firm on are:

3V
O1
CPM-154

3V because it's simply the most well rounded steel out there. I've said it before on these forums and I'll say it again, it's easy. It's low maintenance, easy to sharpen, and difficult to deform (assuming the user knows what they're doing). It's a great steel for beginners because it's so easy. It doesn't have the best wear resistance out there, but it has excellent wear resistance. It's ALMOST stainless. That's a huge plus in my book.

O1 simply because it's common in the hand-made world. Fine grained, adequately tough, and easy to sharpen. It's common and well vetted. It's inexpensive. It's downfall, of course, is it's propensity to rust quickly.

CPM-154 because it's the KING of easy. You can't wreck this stuff and it won't rust unless it's foolishly abused. Not the best edge holding, but adequate. However, because it excels at easy, that makes-up for a moderate loss in edge holding. Not cheap, but hardly expensive to produce a high quality knife. It's the most economical steel out there, by far.

Other steels that I've tried that I really like:

Hitachi Blue #2
1084

The jury is still out on 52100. I'm ambivalent...
 
wensynch said:
Good lists..

But shouldn't good old fashion 440C be on the top of any list? As the seminal steel?

What steel do novice knifemakers begin with?
Click to expand...

I am going to say 1095 or 01...whatever is easiest to grind, and the least expensive for all the mistakes you're gonna make starting out....
 
Big Chris said:
Of the steels I have made knives from, used, and tested:

CPM S110V With a super thin edge will cut forever, all the letters and numbers just make it sound cool
CPM 4V This steel just performs. Takes insane edges, cuts like a chainsaw, it just performs and does it well
PD 1 Toughness King IMO. Will make an indestructible knife that also takes and holds an incredible edge
CPM M4 Tried and tested tool steel. Great toughness and great edge holding even with very thin edges
PSF 27 This is the sleeper steel. Can be ground thin like PM steels, but has cutting characteristics like conventional D2. Excellent performer all around.
Click to expand...

Agreed with all except I'd trade 15V for S110V.
 
Big Chris said:
PSF 27 This is the sleeper steel. Can be ground thin like PM steels, but has cutting characteristics like conventional D2. Excellent performer all around.
Click to expand...

I forgot about this stuff. It was definitely an excellent "cutter/slicer" steel. I remember it was easy to sharpen as well, especially considering it's excellent wear resistance. I wish more makers would try it.
 
how about try steel with an optimal heat treat, say a Phil Wilson knife in any of the steel materials he offers.? it will be better than any production knife has to offer in edge retention.

i like
Elmax
Maxamet
S110V
S90V
M4

id love to try
10V
S125V
3V

the one steel that gives me issues is m390/204p because i like the edge retention but i hate sharpening them on stones. takes forever.
 
K390- rare, but so amazing. Definitely worth buying a custom for the steel. Have a few customs in this, and a few on the way. My Mac Wasil has the best grind and HT of the ones I have so far. Great toughness and ease of sharpening for the level of edge retention you get!! Great user steel!
t
M390/20CV/ 204p - Such a great all around stainless for a folder. A MUST for any knife collector, production or custom. Gotta give it up to my FFKW Fortis and Archbishop. Great all around users! Favorites for sure!!

CPM 3V - If you want a hard use knife, big or small, it is such a great versatile steel, with the right HT! I have a 3 inch folder all the way up to a 22 inch bladed slimline machete that I beat the crap out of, and it works amazing for all the in between blades too!

S90V - A great stainless geared towards edge retention. A little tricky to sharpen, but once you get the hand of it, great steel!!! My Hoback A10's in S90V have the best balance of edge retention and toughness!! I have literally tried light chopping on bamboo with it, don't try that though. Anyways amazing toughness for the steel and thin grind the blade has! S110v is great, but I have also had really poor HT's and such with it. I have had all good experiences with S90V.

Stellite 6K - Not steel, I know, but such an amazing blade metal it had to be in my top 5. impervious to corrosion, easy to sharpen, and holds an amazing edge. Very hard to believe, but I have chopped hard dried pine tree stump for a few minutes with one of my Stellite fixed blades just to see what would happen. Edge was great and could still cut paper easily. I though it was going to be just a blunt/rounded edge. Very surprised! Have lots in this metal and you don't HT Stellite so they are nearly all the same, except for the grinds.

AEB-L would be on the list if it was 6, not 5.
 
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