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A Single Lifetime Steel. Whats Yours?

Discussion in 'General Knife Discussion' started by wheelgunrambo, Apr 2, 2018.

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  1. Apr 2, 2018 #1
    wheelgunrambo

    wheelgunrambo

    110
    Sep 1, 2016
    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 :)
     
  2. Apr 2, 2018 #2
    anthonycastorena2014

    anthonycastorena2014 Gold Member Gold Member

    1,164
    Nov 27, 2014
    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.
     
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  3. Apr 2, 2018 #3
    G. Scott H.

    G. Scott H.

    9,146
    Jan 9, 2006
    Folder: M390
    Fixed: CPM-3V
     
    Oyster, Standard78, Mr.SATism and 9 others like this.
  4. Apr 2, 2018 #4
    powerslave

    powerslave

    254
    Jul 19, 2014
    Damasteel DS93X ;)
     
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  5. Apr 2, 2018 #5
    T. Erdelyi

    T. Erdelyi Gold Member Gold Member

    32,113
    Feb 3, 2001
    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.
     
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  6. Apr 2, 2018 #6
    jstn

    jstn Gold Member Gold Member

    2,985
    Jun 27, 2012
    Elmax and 3V.
     
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  7. Apr 2, 2018 #7
    T. Erdelyi

    T. Erdelyi Gold Member Gold Member

    32,113
    Feb 3, 2001
    Yea I could go with Elmax. Easy to sharpen, takes a pretty keen edge. I like it for a workin’ knife.
     
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  8. Apr 2, 2018 #8
    TechandTactical

    TechandTactical

    69
    Apr 2, 2018
    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.
     
    Stolenives likes this.
  9. Apr 2, 2018 #9
    danbot

    danbot Gold Member Gold Member

    9,920
    Oct 31, 2009
    CPM154 for fixed and ZDP-189 for folder
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2018
    Stolenives, 115Italian and matt009au like this.
  10. Apr 2, 2018 #10
    G. Scott H.

    G. Scott H.

    9,146
    Jan 9, 2006
    It was tough for me to choose between M390 and Elmax for the folder. Elmax would be my second choice.
     
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  11. Apr 2, 2018 #11
    McFeeli

    McFeeli

    2,524
    Feb 13, 2017
    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.
     
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  12. Apr 2, 2018 #12
    SV-97

    SV-97

    634
    Aug 18, 2016
    Tough choice, probably M4, 20CV or N690
     
    Mr.SATism likes this.
  13. Apr 2, 2018 #13
    wheelgunrambo

    wheelgunrambo

    110
    Sep 1, 2016
    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.
     
  14. Apr 2, 2018 #14
    wheelgunrambo

    wheelgunrambo

    110
    Sep 1, 2016
    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?
     
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  15. Apr 2, 2018 #15
    Colorodo

    Colorodo Gold Member Gold Member

    4,091
    May 23, 2014
    Folder M390 Fixed CPM 3V
     
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  16. Apr 2, 2018 #16
    M. Johnwell

    M. Johnwell

    314
    Jan 8, 2015
    I’d probably go m4 for folders, and 3v for fixed blades. If I lived closer to the ocean, I’d probably choose lc200n.
     
  17. Apr 2, 2018 #17
    Hickory n steel

    Hickory n steel Gold Member Gold Member

    14,107
    Feb 11, 2016
    Not possible for me, not every company uses the same steels.
     
  18. Apr 2, 2018 #18
    abbazaba

    abbazaba Gold Member Gold Member

    3,048
    Oct 30, 2015
    M4
     
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  19. Apr 2, 2018 #19
    Franciscomv

    Franciscomv

    2,876
    Feb 7, 2005
    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).
     
  20. Apr 2, 2018 #20
    NJBillK

    NJBillK Custom Leather and Fixed Blade modifications.

    9,594
    Mar 27, 2014
    Folder: 52100, M390/kin, M4
    Fixed: INFI, SR101 or Busse Elmax (when 61hrc+)
     
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