Are people influenced too easily when it comes to knife steel?

L

LostCause

Joined
Apr 1, 2022
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I've got in touch with more knife enthusiasts (which is both, good and bad depending how you look at it).
And they've all started trying to talk me into retiring my current EDC for something better, something in M390, Elmax or other high end steel as apparently 1095 sucks, especially on small fixed blade...

1095 retains it's edge good enough for me and gets scary sharp in less than few minutes, even on pocket sharpeners. I love that, and it can handle hard use too.

So, why fix something that's already working?
Waste of money... but youtubers said so 🤣

Same as dude that was texting me yesterday about how brittle D2 is and how dumb are people who think it's actually good steel...
While I could hear hits from the kitchen as my mother basically batoned D2 leatherneck through pork spine at the same time as I was reading texts about how chippy D2 is 😂

And another dude who had a knife he used for like a year and then sold it for super cheap as he saw JoeX video about it and it broke "too easily" on that particular video...
He lost all his trust in his knife he had over a year just because one video...


Old steels aren't to be underestimated, and it'd be a lot better if people put their things to use more.

That's just my opinion tho...
 
Paratrooper06 said:
I don’t think there’s a good or bad steel… just have to ask yourself how many times you want to make a trip to the sharpening stones. Less trips usually means higher cost…. Usually.
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I find sharpening relaxing, especially that moment when my knife shaves again.
Seeing my knife pop hair after less than 5 minutes is really satisfying.
 
91bravo said:
That’s what makes this hobby so great! There are a bunch of different steels out there. Use what you like and forget what everybody else says. As long as it works for you, who cares what anyone else thinks?
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I think they perhaps feel bad for spending 300+€ on knives in K390, M390, Elmax and whatever things they are mentioning, when small ESEE fixed blade in 1095 does it all for me, and I even use it for things they don't dare to use their knives for.

So they want me to do the same 🤣
 
Paratrooper06 said:
Well if you like sharpening, there’s no need for s110v, or s90v, M4, m390/cpm20cv/cts204p. You’d be just fine with VG-10, 154cm, or D2, etc.
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I get that. I just have something that makes me more interested in non-stainless steels, and those steels like D2 and 3V that are just somewhere in between.
 
LostCause said:
I like 3V and 1095. Those are my favorites.
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Two of my faves as well.

skyhorse said:
Many of these new so called super steels aren't really necessary for most usage .
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Agreed. I've lived in parts of the world where people do far more with a simple $20 carbon steel knife than most people who have convinced themselves they need a "super steel."
 
LostCause said:
I've got in touch with more knife enthusiasts (which is both, good and bad depending how you look at it).
And they've all started trying to talk me into retiring my current EDC for something better, something in M390, Elmax or other high end steel as apparently 1095 sucks, especially on small fixed blade...

1095 retains it's edge good enough for me and gets scary sharp in less than few minutes, even on pocket sharpeners. I love that, and it can handle hard use too.

So, why fix something that's already working?
Waste of money... but youtubers said so 🤣

Same as dude that was texting me yesterday about how brittle D2 is and how dumb are people who think it's actually good steel...
While I could hear hits from the kitchen as my mother basically batoned D2 leatherneck through pork spine at the same time as I was reading texts about how chippy D2 is 😂

And another dude who had a knife he used for like a year and then sold it for super cheap as he saw JoeX video about it and it broke "too easily" on that particular video...
He lost all his trust in his knife he had over a year just because one video...


Old steels aren't to be underestimated, and it'd be a lot better if people put their things to use more.

That's just my opinion tho...
Click to expand...
From a purely selfish standpoint, I hope people DON'T use their knives more. Why? Because I like buying new or LNIB-type knives on the exchange and those offerings would dry up.
Now, I've heard the argument that knife owners DO use their knives, but they buy two of each (like the animals on like Noah's Ark) and keep one to sell later. I can't afford that practice. myself.
 
LostCause said:
Same as dude that was texting me yesterday about how brittle D2 is and how dumb are people who think it's actually good steel...


And another dude who had a knife he used for like a year and then sold it for super cheap as he saw JoeX video about it and it broke "too easily" on that particular video...
He lost all his trust in his knife he had over a year just because one video...
Click to expand...

My advice- Find smarter friends.

or-

Don't give your phone number out to people who don't know a good steel from their elbow, and make knife choices based on some idiot who intentionally breaks knives on Youtube. That way you won't have to read such stupid texts.

:)
 
Smithhammer said:
Two of my faves as well.


Agreed. I've lived in parts of the world where people do far more with a simple $20 carbon steel knife than most people who have convinced themselves they need a "super steel."
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I admit I don't need 5mm thick full tang knife in 3V. I never even baton.
But I got it at good price, it holds the edge great, sharpens easily on diamond, no corrosion issues and it's tough as hell. So I don't need a 3V knife, but I do want it and this knife is therefore my favorite.
 
I’ve never bought a knife just for the enjoyment and relaxation of sharpening. I can sharpen a knife and I don’t mind it when it’s necessary and ease of sharpening isn’t an issue with diamond sharpeners that are available. Edge retention means something to me.
 
Ergonomics and edge/grind geometry are far more important to me than steel type.

In 40+ years, I have found there isn't much a quality heat treated blade in 1095, 3V or AEB-L (honorable mention to D2, CPM154, 52100 and 5160) can't handle. I don't mind sharpening either, so touch-ups are not bothersome to me in the least.

Yes, I have (lots of) premium/super-steel knives. And they see the least amount of carry-time or work, than the steels I listed above.
 
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