all those different steels and manufacturers... I'm lost

Z

ZMarre

Joined
May 31, 2008
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I've always been a bit into knives, but also not too much. I bought a Browning Ice Storm some time ago (which is actually a rebranded Mcusta).

Well, it was the first time in my life I used a steel different from 440. That VG10 steel of the Mcusta is just SEXTASTIC. It's incredibly hard, incredibly sharp, and doesn't take too much effort to sharpen. I've used it daily, but it's showing its wear. After a year now it's really starting to fall apart on me. It's clearly not designed for a every day use and beating. Still, the blade feels and looks brand-sparkling-new.

So now I'm more or less looking for a new knife. However, as I don't have a lot of experience with the higher-end knifes, I'm a bit lost with all the types of steel.

The things I'm looking for in a folder:

- straight blade (I hate serrated blades)
- though, mil-spec, the kind of stuff you can take into a warzone and it will still survive
- strong and sharp blade
- preferably not too tactical looking, it's for everyday use
- preferably around the same size and weight of the Ice Storm (3.2oz and 4.8")
- no backlock (hate those)
- pretty maintainance-free blade, I have the bad habit of cleaning only on very seldom occasions (definitely rust-free!)
- preferably less than 100 bucks

Right now I found some knifes of which the design I like:

- SOG flash I, flash II, Trident, Vulcan. I've handled the SEAL PUP once, and was *very* satisfied with the overal feel of that SOG knife.
- Kershaw 1750 Lahar, don't like the design too much but VG10 steel for low price, so it seems.
- Spyderco C101GP2 MANIX 2, how's that 154CM steel?
- SPYDERCO TERZUOLA, S30V?

If there are options that I missed, please feel free to communicate! I saw some nice Boker knifes, but no idea what steel they used (isn't that the 8crMo13 or something?)

I hope you guys can help me further by deciding for a satisfying knife! :cool:

PS: excuse me if this thread is in the wrong subforum, please point me to the right one in that case!
 
Definitely give the tenacious a try. It was my first spyderco and I still love it despite it costing $30-70 less than all the other models.
 
In addition to the workhorse Manix 2, you should also check the Spyderco UKPK and Sage 1.
 
A couple other knives to consider along with some of those already recommended are the Kershaw RAM and the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian.

For more info on steel there's an FAQ over on the Maintenance, tinkering, and Embellishment sub-forum that has good info if you're interested.

Joe Talmadge's FAQ

Its a few years old, so it doesn't have some of the newer steels, but is good for everything else.
 
You might want to check out kershawguy's thread. See if he has any ZDP combo blades left. They were available on the Shallot and Blur. ZDP-189 is a steel everyone should try, and his blems are worth every penny.
 
I suggest a Benchmade with an AXIS lock. They are great knives and are tough, but they are still knives and they are meant to cut. They are not a substitute for a screwdriver. If you use them as a pry bar you will be disappointed.

My favorite is the 950 Rift with the H&K 14205 a close second. Both use 154CM which is a good stainless steel and on par with VG10. I actually probably like it a little better.

Rift:
benchmade%20950.jpg







14205:
bench_14205.jpg
 
You might take a look at the delica and endura by spydero, around 60ish, vg-10...great blades! Also look at the griptilians by benchmade, also great knives! hope this helped:D
 
I have a Griptilian in 154 CM and it is a great edc user. You can find them shipped for approx 80 to your door. The handle material may turn you off a little, but if you can get past that, it is a great knife. The mini grip is too small for my hands.
 
First off, forget the $100 limit and get yourself something nice, you deserve it.

Secondly, as a knee-jerk reaction I have to say you should try the Spyderco Military, which has the best handle, blade shape, and liner lock available (for EDC, not warzone stabbing tanks kind of stuff).
If that doesn't do it for you the Benchmade 14205 is also a fantastically spectacular awesome knife.

If you must stick to the $100 limit I recommend the Spyderco Manix 2 and Kershaw Composite blade JYD II, both of which should be able to put up with nearly anything you could dish out in EDC tasks (and maybe even stabbing tanks).
 
There's a lot more to what makes a great knife than the steel used - If you've burnt out a McCusta in 12 months you'll need something a lot better - save up and get a Sebenza
 
Anything on your list, or any of the others suggested by other posters, would be great. However, don't get all hung up on steels and features. Yes, different steels do have different virtues and limitations; but any of the knives listed here have great steel, and the differences are not likely to be significant in the real world.

The answer to the question, "what is the best knife" is always the same: it is the one that is well made, and feels like it is an organic extension of your hand when you use it. Most of the rest is just marketing fluff. Forget about the little details, and instead, think about where, when, how, why, and on what you will really use the knife. Then, hold as many of them in your hand as possible. Pick the one with good all-around quality that feels most natural in your hand for the kind of work you will be doing with it. Pick the knife that is best adapted to YOU, and reject those that you have to adapt yourself to in order to get some whiz-bang steel or feature.
 
CountyRat said:
Anything on your list, or any of the others suggested by other posters, would be great. However, don't get all hung up on steels and features. Yes, different steels do have different virtues and limitations; but any of the knives listed here have great steel, and the differences are not likely to be significant in the real world.

The answer to the question, "what is the best knife" is always the same: it is the one that is well made, and feels like it is an organic extension of your hand when you use it. Most of the rest is just marketing fluff. Forget about the little details, and instead, think about where, when, how, why, and on what you will really use the knife. Then, hold as many of them in your hand as possible. Pick the one with good all-around quality that feels most natural in your hand for the kind of work you will be doing with it. Pick the knife that is best adapted to YOU, and reject those that you have to adapt yourself to in order to get some whiz-bang steel or feature.
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Good analysis and suggestions. But I will disagree with you on one part: the differences in the blade steel are significant in the real world. As an example, I can cut heavy burlap for days on end with ZDP-189 or 110V and still shave with it. S30V, VG-10, CPM-154, SG2 and S60V will not hold an edge that long. I know this because I own all of these steels and have done this same task with them. For reference, I listed these in the order of edge holding ability, least to best. They all work great, it just depends on how far you can go without having to touch up the edge.
 
SPXTrader said:
Good analysis and suggestions. But I will disagree with you on one part: the differences in the blade steel are significant in the real world. As an example, I can cut heavy burlap for days on end with ZDP-189 or 110V and still shave with it. S30V, VG-10, CPM-154, SG2 and S60V will not hold an edge that long. I know this because I own all of these steels and have done this same task with them. For reference, I listed these in the order of edge holding ability, least to best. They all work great, it just depends on how far you can go without having to touch up the edge.
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Thank you for your very well informed reply. Good info, and you are correct, of course. I appreciate your sharing your test results, which are very useful for us knife knuts who are always looking for the best we can get. I am printing out your test results for my own future reference.
I also admit that my comments about different steels in modern knives all being good enough for the typical user was an oversimplification. Steel type does make a difference. I should have been more clear in saying that a person just starting to get into knives (which I think is true of the OP) should not get so wound up over multiple details that he or she chooses a knife for this or that fancy feature rather than for what fits their hand and life best. Just wish I could have said it with as much knowledge as you have.
 
Sorry for my late response, but I was quite bussy lately and it's quite a lot of information to investigate.

If you've burnt out a McCusta in 12 months you'll need something a lot better - save up and get a Sebenza
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I searched this knife in Google (like I did with all knifes suggested here) and OH BOY, that looked good. Untill I saw the price. But maybe... one day... :-)

Certainly sounds like you're looking to buy a Benchmade 740 Dejavoo.
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Well, it pleases me most of all knifes you suggested here. I think I'm going down that road. It's a little over 100 bucks, but well.

My many thanks to you all!
 
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