5 or More Steels Every Collection Should Have???

1. Basic stainless (420HC, 440A,B or C, AUS8, Krupp 4116...)
2. Basic carbon (1095, 5160...)
3. Advanced stainless (CTS.XHP, S90V, S110V, Elmax...)
4. Weird steel (H1, LC200N)
5. A steel witha propietary, well-regarded HT (ex: Bob Dozier's D2, Buck's 420HC, etc.)
 
1. S35VN or ELMAX (great balance of qualities)
2. Infi or 3V (high on toughness that has some balance)
3. M390 (high on wear resistance with some balance)
4. 440B (because I want a stainless Randall Made Knife)
5. Damascus or Damasteel (something that is different and beautiful)

I like a balance of corrosion resistance, toughness, wear resistance, and being able to sharpen a knife.
 
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Old thread but a good one. I've seen a lot of people asking what steel for edc, or camping etc. But steels for a collection is a good one.
I think based on my experience these steels from these makers are great to add to a collection...
1. GEC 1095
2. Spyderco M4
3. Spyderco Cruwear
4. Brous D2
5. Canal Street Cutlery 440c, (correct me if I'm wrong but the last forum knife from CSC was 440c blades from Queen?)
Anyways from my experience these are all great steels done right, and with different properties to make for interesting additions to a collection.
 
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...

Yes! I completely agree. cpm-D2 composition with way smaller particle size!

My list would probably be something like this:
INFI --> ridiculously easy to maintain, keeps a working edge practically forever, carbon steel type performance but almost totally stainless because of the Nitrogen in its composition
3v/pd#1/z-wear --> you guys know the hype is real, and deserved. CD#1 sounds amazing with S7 like impact toughness but 3V hardenability and wear resistance. Only Duane Dwyer is using this steel so far
52100/A2/1095 - with a nice heat treatment please :) Every knife lover should try out a classic carbon steel and be surprised by how great they perform when one right, how easy they are to maintain if you actually use and enjoy them, and to lose that fear of having a non-stainless steel turn to dust on you
K390 --> based on my time with my MT17, I came away very impressed with how tough and easy to maintain this steel is even though it's in the 10v/s110v class of edge holding
PSF27/CPMD2 --> like Big Chris said, the sleeper steel. Totally underrated because D2, but D2 has been used this long for a reason. I really thinks it's an awesome overall performer.


CRAP! I didn't even get to stainless steels and that's 5 already!

So many steels, so little time...

For stainless, I'd have to say the following
CPM-154 - great budget performer and widely found in everything ranging from affordabe to customs costing thousands of dollars
S30v -- just to see how chippy and generally mediocre it is. my opinion at least. Somehow I'm a lot better with S35VN, but I generally avoid a knife in this steel, pretty much regardless of what it is. Might make exception for a PM3, or just hold out for the sprint runs...all that complaining aside, Spyderco does seem to have the best production S30v I have used so YMMV
Elmax -- nice and tough, also wear resistant stainless steel that also is pretty easy to maintain
CTS-XHP -- had a great experience with this steel for about a year and a half before I lost my Spyderco Techno on a beach in Mexico. Great toughness, edge holding, corrosion resistance, and easy maintenance for a stainless steel.
420HC or Aus8 -- to see where we've come from...

I feel like there are other steels worth mentioning, but 5 carbon/tool steels and 5 stainless is the absolute minimum I can list

Great thread OP!
 
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W2 in lieu of 1095. Better QC and the pinch of vanadium does make a difference.
 
Vanadis 4 extra
Infi
Cpm3v
S7/K600
4140/4340/Ultrafort (maraging steel)
NZ3 (S1 mod)
Also 52100 partial bainite heat treatment, 5160 and 80crv2 for "simple" high carbon steels
 
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My picks are
S7
A2
CPM M4
CPM S90V
CPM 4V

4V is tough stuff. Here's a test with a new heat treat I'm using. Rockwell tested to 63rc.

minicomp_zpsd0cnr8fb.jpg


minicomp1_zpsstfjr2wg.jpg
 
My favorites are:

Vanadis 4 Extra -- nice balance between super toughness and good wear resistance. Holds an edge better than 3V and is tougher than CPM M4.

3V -- Super tough and holds a good edge.

A8 modified -- like Infi. Super tough while holding a decent edge.

M390 -- nicely balanced steel, especially for EDCs.

Elmax -- toughest of the powder stainless steels and holds a good edge.

K390 -- super wear resistance, with OK toughness.

10V -- super wear resistance, with D2-like toughness.

CPM M4 -- beautifully balanced steel, with good toughness and excellent wear resistance.
 
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