Best bang 4 buck steel(s)?

[JayDeep]

440C maybe?
D2 most certainly, no?
VG10 perhaps?
(Insert your suggestion here)...?

What's your thoughts when it comes to steels and value for money. I think it goes without saying that there are always going to be more factors at play when we really get into the specifics of things, but as an in general and overviewed comparison what say you?

 

[JoeBusic]

1060. Cheap as hell.

 

[justjed]

14C28N
VG10/N690

As far as thoughts, heat treatment is more important than steel type.

 

[ferider]

AEB-L

 

[JayDeep]

As far as thoughts, heat treatment is more important than steel type.

Agreed and obviously. I guess I was saying, assuming all else is completely the same quality....

 

[The Mastiff]

420HC as done by Buck.

12C27/12C27(M)

 

[JayDeep]

420HC as done by Buck.

The Bos heat treat!

 

[Dav1]

I like tough steels so am well catered for;

14c28n
12c27
Aeb-L
420hc (with decent HT)
5160
80crv2
Any of the simple carbon steels up to 1080 etc...

 

[shane45-1911]

52100
5160
AEB-L

 

[jstn]

14c28n and Nitro V

 

[MolokaiRider]

14c28n
52100

 

[Another Shepherd]

14C28N: https://knifesteelnerds.com/2020/06/15/what-is-the-best-budget-knife-steel/

Dr. Larrin Thomas wrote: So after reviewing many of these steels I think 14C28N is the best. It has high toughness, above average corrosion resistance, and decent edge retention. It is also “fine blankable” and easy to sharpen with any stones, which were mentioned as bonus categories at the top of the article. The steel also has high “grindability” and “polishability” which makes costs low for knife manufacturers or custom knifemakers. As mentioned in the heat treating section, the hardenability is not particularly high for a stainless so heat treating in large vacuum furnaces is somewhat more difficult but certainly not impossible. Availability of 14C28N is somewhat worse than AEB-L so AEB-L can be a replacement with somewhat lower corrosion resistance when 14C28N is not available in the right size. I think these steels are appropriate for either knife manufacturers or custom makers so I don’t think there’s much reason to differentiate in that respect. The only exception is forging bladesmiths who tend to prefer low alloy steels and to them I would recommend 52100 for its good combination of toughness, edge retention, availability, and ease in grinding and polishing. For custom knifemakers I have a separate article on how to pick steels.

 

[Slice O Life]

You probably want to pay attention to the heat treat as much as you do the steel. That being said, buck is probably the way to go for budget stuff.

 

[1911bphil]

I like the 420HC that Buck uses and 52100 in the Cold Steel Drop Forge series.

 

[NapalmCheese]

Either of the 154s.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Hard to beat Buck's 420HC for a tough, corrosion resistant steel with decent edge holding.

 

[USMCPOP]

The best 4 buck steel knives are made from used vehicle springs. And some are less than 4 bucks.

It's been quite awhile, but the one on the left was a couple bucks, complete with the deluxe plastic water pipe sheath! The old one on the right was free, courtesy of my Thai sis-in-law, a scrap dealer.

 

[sixplymaple]

AEB-L
CPM-154
CTS-XHP?

 

[kane22]

AEB-L
14c28n
Both seem to have good reputations, but I rarely see either of them used

 

[DavidABQ]

The best bang for the buck steel is probably the 420 that Buck knives uses with their heat treat. They seem to get the best performance out of that steel.