Best blade steel for EDC?

M

martentrapper

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Getting the BM bug!!! Have seen some talk on this forum on blade steels. Would like to read opinions on which steel would be best for an EDC. Along with those opinions, similar thoughts on which model to get in your favored steel!
 
Depends on use. For opening envelopes and peeling apples, anything will do.
 
I have more "high-end" edc knifes and blade steels than I can count and I have to go with S35VN, particularly from Zt but since this is a Benchmade forum, I will say all their steels above (meaning higher end) than 154cm are great.

As JMP said, it really just depends on the use. Heat treat is just as important or more so than the steel so keep that in mind when deciding across different manufacturers.
 
In reference to the last part of your question, the 940-1 is about as close to a perfect edc knife you can get for the money from BM. It comes with Crucible's S90V fwiw.
 
I prefer 154cm itself, it's still good steel and easy to sharpen. Next level, I don't know S35VN very well, but S30V is a little harder to sharpen, yet holds a great edge. Between apples and envelopes, yes, just what jpm2 says.
 
For standard EDC, anything in the range of s30v is good and relatively easy to sharpen
For something that will have to handle harder tasks I like m390 and elmax
Considering the steels BM uses I will go for M390 or s90
 
I guess it all depends on what we cut & how we use for edc. For me
M390
153cm=N680
S30v
Others including even Aus8

S30V is interesting steel for me. More I use it more I like it. But it just doesn't hold butter smooth cut scary sharp edge long enough, but feels like it sharpens itself on slight coarse materials like cardboard.

Overall m390/20CV win for me over anything including m4, S90V, etc.
 
Two of my favorites: M390 & S90V

Both produce long-lasting, scary-sharp edges that only need occasional strop touch-ups..

No need to worry about rust either ;)
 
I used Kershaw zdp in a leek for years and years, just got the benchmade bug. I bought an S90V Nakamura and I also have a de-assisted m380 586 mini barrage. The zdp falls way below both steels on the rope cut edge retention tests. I haven't tested the S90V, but the M390 I gutted and cleaned a black bear (cut the rib cage to the neck) and it came away having sharp, but the edge was rolled near the curve. Last week I cut a 3/4" diameter chewy dog treat in half and same thing. Rolled the edge. The zdp seemed harder like glass but would lose the "sharpness". I expect the S90V to be a little tougher, but I wish both these steels were nearer the top Rockwell range. I had (briefly and shoulda kept) a spyderco mule in zdp from the run that was 67 Rockwell, I image that would be a game changer...
 
My favorite Benchmades (in my EDC rotation) have M390 and D2 steels). My grail Benchmade has M4 steel. I like M4 best but I don't consider it the best EDC steel for most people because it requires great care. (I have other knives with M4 steel that I use for various uses and I have more corrosion problems with them than I would like.)
 
It depends on what your EDC use is like.

Envelopes and packages? M390/CPM-20CV, S90V (if you have the right sharpening equipment), D2, S30V
Does your edc involve carving, prying, batoning, etc? D2. CPM-M4 if you're willing to do the extra care to keep it rust-free.
 
Also consider your activity. I am a city mailman and I am always sweating. In the summer (80% + humidity) I am soaked from 8am-4pm and my knife is also! It is rough on bare metal. I choose my edc accordingly.
Yesterday I purchased a Contego 810 with a coated M4 blade. I just love the reverse tanto blade shape for edc.
 
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