A Single Lifetime Steel. Whats Yours?

Folder: CPM S35VN or Elmax.

The ease of getting a ‘wet’ looking edge on S35VN and it’s corrosion resistance are very attractive to me. On the other hand, I’ve been carrying and using Elmax more than anything else for the past 4 years (ZT 0562, ZT 0566, Lionsteel Ti-Spine), have had 0 corrosion appear on any pieces, and find the edge retention to be great on all 3 of the knives I use it on. Ease of sharpening and touch up... Elmax was a little bit of a process to touch up on the Sharpmaker, but it’s a cakewalk with an Edge Pro + strop.

I think the real answer is that I want to say S35VN, but the real answer is Elmax.

Fixed: I use folders for everything.
 
This is easy for me. If I had to choose one steel for folders and fixed blades for the rest of my life, it would be Elmax. It does everything well. It is ridiculously tough for a stainless, has good corrosion resistance, is fairly easy to sharpen, and at higher hardness (60+) it takes and holds a great edge. My last 7 or 8 customs have all been in Elmax.

M390 is another contender but is not as tough, and 3V is amazing but obviously does not have the same level of corrosion resistance. Having said that, D3V is pretty magical though for fixed blades.
 
I could go with several for all my uses.
CPM Cruwear
3V
4V
M4 hc
O1
W2
A2

All of these can make great folders and fixed blades. If I had to choose 1 it would be CPM Cruwear at rc 62
 
trevitrace said:
That's the one I was looking for.

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How does the PM2 stand up to your other M4s I have had a lot of interest in the steel but never owned one.
 
Foldy: Good ol' powder 154, maybe in a nice vinland damasteel shape

Not so foldy: Good ol' M4 at a relaxed hardness, preferrably dressed in some nice cyan cerakote

Sword: ELI °5 Ti why not
 
wheelgunrambo said:
How does the PM2 stand up to your other M4s I have had a lot of interest in the steel but never owned one.
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Not sure the HRC on the pm2 but that fixed blade is 64. I don't use them the same amount but I'd say I do have to touch up the Spyderco up a bit more frequently.

Compared to other PM2's that I've carried and used extensively over the years (m390, 20cv, xhp) I've found the m4 less prone to micro-chipping. Not to say the others performed poorly but the m4 has fared better.
 
I’m extremely satisfied with m4 for folders. I would prefer it clad in stainless but the bare steel is the bomb regardless.

For fixed blades, meh. Something above 1095 or 12c27. I kinda like the super edge holding in a folder paired with a strong and easy to sharpen fixed. Best of both worlds.
 
mugwump867 said:
Folder: M390 hands down. It's a steel I know the ins and outs of, fits my needs, and I can touch it up easily (re-profiling is a different story)
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That is why I put down XHP for resharpenability, I just started my M390 reprofiling journey, and I am sweating bullets because I didn't reprofile enough the first time...
 
Assuming I could get everything from filet knives to SAK's to paring knives to choppers I'd go with the lowly VG-10 (or its equally attractive American cousin, CPM154).
 
S30V folder and 1095 fixed. Still like to have a variety of different steels and Lord knows I do, but honestly these are the steels I use the most and probably always will. Will say I use H1 alot for half the year and and looking forward to trying an LC200N blade.
 
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