Are you over Super Steels?

bodog said:
Nope. Not this one. Haven't done any of those tests on knives that don't claim to be made for it.
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So how did the edge get that torn up?

Now remember you are talking to somebody with a lot of experience actually using S30V and testing it so I know what it can take.

It just wasn't nothing. ;)
 
Ankerson said:
So how did the edge get that torn up?

Now remember you are talking to somebody with a lot of experience actually using S30V and testing it so I know what it can take.

It just wasn't nothing. ;)
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Hey man, believe it or not, it's fine with me. What's funny is that I don't really even consider that edge that bad. When I get into some real nasty shit my edges look much worse. That's why I was so impressed with Vanadis 4 and Luong's 52100. The stupid amount of crap they can take without fracturing up into the primary bevel is nothing short of amazing, even to me. That military's edge is just another day man, no joke. I do think S30V is one of the better stainless steels I've tried, for whatever it's worth

For reference:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...alworks)-52100-Hard-Use-(Updated-with-results)
 
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Ankerson said:
So how did the edge get that torn up?

Now remember you are talking to somebody with a lot of experience actually using S30V and testing it so I know what it can take.

It just wasn't nothing. ;)
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Don't bother. He has been a steel expert since Cliff Stamp started sticking s*** in his ear. He has nothing but parrot speak.
 
Did someone say M390? If so, I want to buy it. M4? I'm game. O1? CV? AEB-l? N6**? Elmax? CPM**?

I like them all...
 
Getting over so-called Super Steels was, for me, a lot like best way to get over cigarette smoking: don't start!

I am not against Super Steels, but have been served so well in folders by the likes of BG-42, VG-10, CPM154, ATS-34 and even AUS-8 (heck, even 420HC) that I just haven't desired Super Steels; though I enjoy my Sebenza in S30V. Is that even a Super Steel anymore? I can't keep up.

In fixed blades I am more of a carbon steel guy and have been served very well by INFI, SR-101, 1095CroVan, 52100 and the like that I am compelled to follow the old aviation adage of: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 
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Hmmm bodog... Banana boxes, furniture boxes, cans of condensed milk... Are you by chance a hobo? Haha just kidding man that edge is nothing you should see what my old man does to his edges. FWIW I am neutral on anything above vg10. I prefer ease of maintenance over long edge holding.
 
crom said:
Hmmm bodog... Banana boxes, furniture boxes, cans of condensed milk... Are you by chance a hobo? Haha just kidding man that edge is nothing you should see what my old man does to his edges. FWIW I am neutral on anything above vg10. I prefer ease of maintenance over long edge holding.
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Lol, you got me. For real though, I was starting to feel a little odd thinking I was the only one seeing edges that look like that with regular use.
 
Haven't read the thread yet, so I haven't gone back to see how salty anyone got but, for me personally, I am good with most steels super or pedestrian. I love super steels and have a few in my collection. However, I also love how easily lesser steels sharpen up quickly after just a few passes on the Sharpmaker. In fact, if I have a lot of cutting work to do, I'll usually use a lesser steel so it can be easily gotten back into shape, so I'm not there for twenty or thirty minutes trying to get M4 or M390 back to the scary sharp I usually keep my blades.

As long as it's a good knife made by a reputable maker, I'm in. However, the price point should reflect the steel also. It's generally why I don't buy Emersons. $180-$200+ for 154cm? Pass.
 
Acadian said:
all great points, especially if you are looking for a "purposely" build knife (eg. for fishing, diving, hunting, cooking).

I was thinking more about general EDC knives made from the more commonly used steels, although your point about 304 is a valid one. Guess there are some steels I wouldn't by after all, but if you buy a knife made from 304 you should expect to get what you pay for as I expect you wouldn't be paying much for one.

Maybe there are, but I doubt you'll find a knife in the $100 range made with 304 steel (or it's equivalent)?
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ALL knives are or should be purpose built! I match the geometry and intended use with the steel.

The addition of chromium does more that just add a corrosion resistance, to a cutlery steel, it gives an abrasive resistance that improves edge retention.
 
bodog said:
It's good that your dad carried a can opener everywhere. Are you saying I should carry with me a different and specific cutting tool for everything I could possibly encounter? Then what good would a knife be? Did your dad ever whittle with his pocket knife? They make something specific for that. Did your dad ever pull a splinter out with his knife? They make something specific for that. Just because folding knives have always been limited in the past doesn't mean they need to remain that way. The more a single knife can do, the better, at least for most people.. I don't want to limit what they may be capable of more than the steel will allow for.
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It's called a SAK or multitool.
 
farmer ted said:
It's called a SAK or multitool.
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I carry one of those too. Along with a prybar, a hammer, and some other goodies. So including my mandated tools that I have to carry, why would I need to use my knife so much? Because they're supposed to cut stuff and good ones will. Why were folding knives made? Because people find them easier to carry than a fixer blade.

You know what really sucks? Trying to clean up a leatherman when a can of soured, expired, sticky, coagulated condensed milk blows out of a hole you just created with that leatherman. You know what's easier? Rinsing off my knife.

Gotta love how these flame wars start.
 
I went through several years of super-steel fascination, but I'm no longer looking. I've pretty much settled on 440C, D2, and 52100(SR1010) as my favorites for my different applications varying from everyday use to extreme survival and game processing. I've made knives out of 440C and had them professionally heat treated to outperform many of my production knives in so called super-steels so I have to agree with those who mention the importance of heat treat, quality and geometry and feel the industry is really overrun with hype these days. It's a lot like rifle cartridges...this new fad of selling velocity and energy figures. Those numbers have very little to do with effectiveness in the field, or upon impact. It's like selling knives and naming a steel superior based on hardness alone. My 300RUM looks excellent on paper, but has taken the backseat to my good ole' "slow" 45-70 for it's terminal performance in the field, within it's capacity of range. I've gone full circle on a lot of the latest and greatest steels, just to come back to steels like D2, 440C, and different carbon steels. Different strokes...
 
I like steel. Specially when the it has .6 % carbon and higher. There is a grade for each intended use. "Super Steel" is a very broad terminology, as there isn't a do it all steel. 3V is close but gives up corrosion resistance anyways.
 
Ankerson said:
Still wondering what you actually did with it, S30V can take quite a bit so for the edge to look that bad it took a lot of serious abuse to get it to that point.
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Sorry, but I agree with Bodog here. I have unfortunately had many S30V blades(not by choice) and the edges chip out fairly easily. Maybe not on paper or rope but when you start cutting into rougher stuff, the edge will chip like in bodogs pics. My ATS34/154cm and D2 blades did much better in cutting tougher materials. S30V is far from a super steel, though I consider it adequate in a folder, I would never EVER consider it for fixed blade. I remember the days before S30V and I sure wish I could go back to them sometimes.
 
Stays Sharp said:
Don't bother. He has been a steel expert since Cliff Stamp started sticking s*** in his ear. He has nothing but parrot speak.
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Don't you think that was uncalled for especially when you consider he was the only one that posted a picture of an S30V blade that had hard use.
 
I am a fan of super steels because its like hearing about the latest Ferrari, I want to hear about it but I'm not going to spend the money for it. I am also a huge fan of D2 and believe it is one of the greatest all around performers and is CHEAP, compared to anything that could begin to equal it let alone beat which I believe is why many custom knife makers use it.
 
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