Am I a steel snob?

BladeCommander

BladeCommander

Joined
Nov 13, 2012
Messages
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I enjoy most of the popular knife companies, and I have a modest collection of Benchmade and Spyderco, and I am planning on picking up a couple new ZT's from the new releases when they become more available. Also I like to collect different steels. I will sometimes disregard a knife for its lower end steel, but if I like the knife enough I usually give in and only use it for light chores. For example, I have a Boker Plus Mini Vanquish in 440C, and a CRKT Nirk Tighe 2 in AUS 8. Are there better knifes for the price? Yes, but I love the designs of the knives, and I can always use them for light duty. Theres the right tool for every job right! Also they are my only knives in their respective steels.

The reason I ask the question is because I recently bought a Spyderco Endura in ZDP-189. I am not very fond of the Endura/Delica series, mostly due to the blade to handle ratio and how much cutting edge is wasted at the back of the blade. The ergos are good, but not amazing. I probably wouldn't have looked twice at this Endura, except for its upgraded steel. This fact found me justifying this knife to myself only based on what the blade was made out of.

Long story short, am I a steel snob for liking this Endura based on the blade steel, even though I dislike other aspects of the knife? I do have lower end steels in knives, but I have to really like everything else about it for the lower end steel to be overlooked.



Note: for the record, I am NOT saying that VG-10 is low end, I was refering to all the AUS 8 and 8Cr floating around with good knife designs. I'm looking at you Kershaw! Can we get some USA made Hinderer and RJ designs around here. 8Cr is old news by now.
 
I like middle range steel like AUS8, and 12C27. I love USA made Schrade's carbon. I don't like Rough Rider 440A and some other mystery steels and am not thrilled with Case SS. Anyways, there are people who call me a steel snob.

It's all relative. Whatever blows up your skirt.
 
BladeCommander said:
I enjoy most of the popular knife companies, and I have a modest collection of Benchmade and Spyderco, and I am planning on picking up a couple new ZT's from the new releases when they become more available. Also I like to collect different steels. I will sometimes disregard a knife for its lower end steel, but if I like the knife enough I usually give in and only use it for light chores. For example, I have a Boker Plus Mini Vanquish in 440C, and a CRKT Nirk Tighe 2 in AUS 8. Are there better knifes for the price? Yes, but I love the designs of the knives, and I can always use them for light duty. Theres the right tool for every job right! Also they are my only knives in their respective steels.

The reason I ask the question is because I recently bought a Spyderco Endura in ZDP-189. I am not very fond of the Endura/Delica series, mostly due to the blade to handle ratio and how much cutting edge is wasted at the back of the blade. The ergos are good, but not amazing. I probably wouldn't have looked twice at this Endura, except for its upgraded steel. This fact found me justifying this knife to myself only based on what the blade was made out of.

Long story short, am I a steel snob for liking this Endura based on the blade steel, even though I dislike other aspects of the knife? I do have lower end steels in knives, but I have to really like everything else about it for the lower end steel to be overlooked.



Note: for the record, I am NOT saying that VG-10 is low end, I was refering to all the AUS 8 and 8Cr floating around with good knife designs. I'm looking at you Kershaw! Can we get some USA made Hinderer and RJ designs around here. 8Cr is old news by now.
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I don't think you're a snob because you try out a lot of different steels. My definition of a snob is someone who wont buy anything considered less than S30V, for example.

In regard to the bold text, you'd be surprised at what some of those "lower end" steels can do. I have a Boker Federal made from the same 440C and I've beat the piss out of it. It's held a nice edge for a good amount of time, very corrosion resistant and pretty easy to sharpen.
 
It's ok if you are. There are so many decisions that factor in to buying a knife, steel type is better than lots of them. It probably more important the more you cut.
 
You're only a snob if you look down upon people who are happy with "lesser" steels and you sneer at them in derision. Since you yourself recognize that some of the less fancy steels are perfectly adequate to many tasks, and use them yourself, you don't display snobbery. You are perhaps more of a steel connoisseur.
 
I never considered AUS8 or 440C low end steel. Not my ideal steel in a fixed blade-but mor than adequate in a folder. In fact, I find something like AUS8 a better overall performer in real world use and maintenance, than D2.
 
I like the 440c on the older buck 110s and in no way consider it low end. The heat treat was just perfect on them with just a bit too much brittleness for a fixed blade but good for a folder. Holds an edge far better than what i would consider low end steels such as the aus 4 and aus6 like in crkt knives now.
 
No, you are not a "steel snob". Some of us like a smorgasbord of steels rather than just one alotted serving. All have their advantages and respective uses!
 
Interesting thread. I like to try new steels, especially the premium and super steels. I prefer not to have more than one or two knives in the same steel, unless its a knife I really like but only comes in a certain steel I already have. For example, here's what I've got so far:

AUS 8:
CS Recon 1
SOG Flash 1
SOG Seal Pup

VG-10:
Spyderco Schempp Rock
SOG Pentagon Elite 1

ATS-34:
SOG Mini X-Ray Vision

Sandvik 14C28N
Kershaw Blur

154cm
Benchmade 530

D2:
Benchmade Mini-grip.
LionSteel SR-1A.

S30V:
ZT0350TS
Benchmade 162
Strider SNG (just bought today off the exchange)

ZDP-189
Spyderco Dragonfly

M4
Spyderco Gayle Bradley

At this point in my knife collecting career (lol) I prefer no less than the premium steels like VG-10, 154cm, etc. Am I a snob? I hope not. I just like variety.
 
I feel the same way about my endura too. I was not too impressed by vg10 so that's why I bought a zdp. I havnt looked back since, I carry a vg10 delica in my truck as a back up knife or a loner. Its perfect for that role.
 
To me, a steel snob is someone who thinks he know more about the steel to use in a knife than the maker.
 
BladeCommander said:
Long story short, am I a steel snob for liking this Endura based on the blade steel, even though I dislike other aspects of the knife?
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Nope. There's nothing wrong with trying a new (to you, or just plain new) steel from a reputable company. How else would you form your own opinion? If you don't like it, it would likely be easy to sell. If it turns out you do like it, there's no problem. Now you can look for a design you like better in the same steel, with more confidence.

Snobbery goes both ways... there are plenty of folks who won't use anything but the cheapest steels, and sneer at those of us who are open to using other alloys. ;)
 
james terrio said:
Nope. There's nothing wrong with trying a new (to you, or just plain new) steel from a reputable company. How else would you form your own opinion? If you don't like it, it would likely be easy to sell. If it turns out you do like it, there's no problem. Now you can look for a design you like better in the same steel, with more confidence.

Snobbery goes both ways... there are plenty of folks who won't use anything but the cheapest steels, and sneer at those of us who are open to using other alloys. ;)
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Those are some good thoughts. I have some high(er) end steels and I like them. However, since my knives are users, they aren't always my favorite. Still it is important to remember that today's ho-hum steels were yesterday's premium steels. It is all an evolution. If it wasn't we would still be using flint/chert for knives.

And agree again with the snobbery going both ways. There is a place here on the forum where the users of carbon steel are militant about its use and a quick to comment on those that might use stainless of any kind. Stainless was a heaven sent (once they got it right!) for my construction work use. I sweat like a greased pig on a hot day, and all my carbon can rust in just a day in my pocket. Today's stainless or near stainless knives perform as well or better as the old carbon knives for me and I don't have to do daily (or more) maintenance.

Yet, the folks with different jobs (say, office bound) wouldn't hear of anything BUT carbon being used. Rust, corrosion from on site materials and constant maintenance concerns be damned. I personally feel as with all my tools it is important to match the tool to the job, and that is how I pick my steels on a knife.

And of course, the knife must look good first.:D

Robert
 
Thanks guys. I really appreciate the comments. I feel the same way as most people that posted here.

I have heard good things about 440C, especially Boker's version, and I am proud to own the Mini Vanquish. I am going to get the Boker Rambler fixed blade in the next month or so to try it out more. At $30 or so you can't go wrong with a small fixed blade in 440C.

jc57 said:
Since you yourself recognize that some of the less fancy steels are perfectly adequate to many tasks, and use them yourself, you don't display snobbery. You are perhaps more of a steel connoisseur.
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I can go with this. I do like to try many varieties and actively look for knives in a steel I do not currently have.
So far my steels are as follows: in no particular order
AUS 8
440C
154CM
VG-10
S30V spyderco/BM/ZT (s35vn)
Elmax
ZDP-189
D2
M4 (BM)
M390 (BM)
204p (Spyderco)

always looking to add to the buffet lol
 
Ive loosened up my standards on steels ever since Ive started beating the heck out of my Rat 1 and seen how easily it gets back to being sharp. Not knowing the specific traits of aus8 I will say that I enjoy its ability to take an edge fairly easily and how it seems to not chip when dragged through stuff it cant cut. It seems to dull and roll instead. YMMV but yeah. Great gardening blade for when youd rather not fish out the shears just to trim some greenery.
 
Well there's probably two kinds of steel snobs. Your entry level steel snob knows about different steels and only buys a knife made a known/familiar steel.

Your real for sure steel snob is one that won't buy unless it's a "super steel".
 
Now I got a idea of what a steel snob is, I have also heard the term (steel slut) what's that?
 
When price is factored in, you aren't a steel snob, you are a smart consumer. I wouldn't buy a knife for over $50 with anything under 9Cr because there are better options for the price. CRKT has been disappointing me lately with cool designs that use low end steels (usually AUS-8) and charge close to $100 for it. It's not like they are Moki or Mcusta, I am not paying that much for a low steel.

Now if you find a knife for about $50 that you like and it has a cool design, but you pass because it is AUS-8, then you are a steel snob.
 
BladeCommander said:
Long story short, am I a steel snob for liking this Endura based on the blade steel, even though I dislike other aspects of the knife? I do have lower end steels in knives, but I have to really like everything else about it for the lower end steel to be overlooked.
Click to expand...

As others have noted, if you aren't downing others for their choice of a "lesser" steel, then probably not.

Consider the possibility that you are a steel fetishist. :)
 
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