A Single Lifetime Steel. Whats Yours?

[wheelgunrambo]

If you could have only one steel option for folders and one for fixed what would they be? I am just wanting feedback options on this to find out what are the favorites of all the steel snobs (sorry) steel specialist

 

[anthonycastorena2014]

CTS-XHP. I love this steel man. Probably my favorite. I have all different types of knives in all different steel configurations. I like it because it is relatively hard to rust up, holds an edge, and is super easy to sharpen. I like to think of it as supercharged VG10. IMO hands down best for hunting/cleaning wild game.

 

[G. Scott H.]

Folder: M390
Fixed: CPM-3V

 

[powerslave]

Damasteel DS93X

 

[T. Erdelyi]

O1 & 1095 are very veritile steels with a wide rage of heat treats that fine tune the characteristics very predidictibly and consistently. The only downside is rust and even that’s tolerable as long as you keep it dried and some barrier between the steel and the environment like polish, wax or even a thin wipe with oil.

I have knives with both steels and they’ve never let me down. I just need to pay attention to the steel.

 

[jstn]

Elmax and 3V.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Elmax ...

Yea I could go with Elmax. Easy to sharpen, takes a pretty keen edge. I like it for a workin’ knife.

 

[TechandTactical]

For folders I really love CPM S30V. It holds a great edge and is very corrosion resistant without being so hard that it's impossible to sharpen.

For fixed blades, I like plain old 1095. My Becker BK-7 is 1095 and it holds an edge long enough to get through a project and sharpens back up in minutes.

 

[danbot]

CPM154 for fixed and ZDP-189 for folder

 

[G. Scott H.]

Elmax and 3V.

It was tough for me to choose between M390 and Elmax for the folder. Elmax would be my second choice.

 

[McFeeli]

M390 for folders and CPM CruWear for fixed blades.

Both steels are great all rounders. While they're both not the absolute best at anything, they're good at everything. That's the type of characteristics I'd be after if I were to choose a single steel for both platforms.

 

[SV-97]

Tough choice, probably M4, 20CV or N690

 

[wheelgunrambo]

I wouldnt try to nail someone down on only one steel for both folders and fixed. I was asking for one steel for each. 1 for folders and 1 for fixed.

 

[wheelgunrambo]

M390 for folders and CPM CruWear for fixed blades.

Both steels are great all rounders. While they're both not the absolute best at anything, they're good at everything. That's the type of characteristics I'd be after if I were to choose a single steel for both platforms.

I just picked up a para3 in cruwear and havent had a chance to really use it yet. It does seem like a great all around do it all steel. Anyone have any imput on this?

 

[Colorodo]

Folder M390 Fixed CPM 3V

 

[M. Johnwell]

I’d probably go m4 for folders, and 3v for fixed blades. If I lived closer to the ocean, I’d probably choose lc200n.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Not possible for me, not every company uses the same steels.

 

[abbazaba]

M4

 

[Franciscomv]

I could live with 52100 for both fixed blades and folders, but if possible I'd take a decent stainless steel for folders (Elmax, M390, S35Vn, even VG-10 would be fine).

 

[NJBillK]

Folder: 52100, M390/kin, M4
Fixed: INFI, SR101 or Busse Elmax (when 61hrc+)