Best edge holding steel?

U

unky_gumbi

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Aug 28, 2009
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I was just wondering, of all the common blade steels, which has the best edge holding properties?

I went from AUS8 to D2 and the D2 holds an edge much better yet is in the same RC area and has the same edge profile. I am not looking for scientific data here just personal experiences.

thanks for your input
 
CPM-M4
CPM-S90V
CPM-S30V, similar edge holding to D2
ZDP-189
52100 at Rc62
CPM-D2

These are ones I have used and have shown good edge holding performance.
 
It's not really a question that is possible to answer. Your edge can degrade due to rolling or deformation, chipping, wear, or corrosion. If the knife and type of cutting primarily abrades the edge, then a knife with high wear resistance will hold the longest. If it is chopping or push cutting, then a combination of sufficient hardness and toughness is required.

And example of a steel with extreme wear resistance would be S90V, S110V, 10V, or even 15V. Steels with a combination of high toughness and hardness would be S5, 3V, Vanadis 4, etc. Steels with very high corrosion resistance are H1, Cronidur 30, or X15T.N. There are of course steels with various combinations of these properties.
 
Larrin said:
It's not really a question that is possible to answer. Your edge can degrade due to rolling or deformation, chipping, wear, or corrosion. If the knife and type of cutting primarily abrades the edge, then a knife with high wear resistance will hold the longest. If it is chopping or push cutting, then a combination of sufficient hardness and toughness is required.

And example of a steel with extreme wear resistance would be S90V, S110V, 10V, or even 15V. Steels with a combination of high toughness and hardness would be S5, 3V, Vanadis 4, etc. Steels with very high corrosion resistance are H1, Cronidur 30, or X15T.N. There are of course steels with various combinations of these properties.
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Yeah, but which is the best :confused:
Just kidding, excellent post :D
 
S110V is extremely durable, in the league of ZDP-189. I haven't tested it for impact resistance to chipping, which is where I would be concerned it might not fare so well. For normal cutting, it's good medicine.
 
Larrin said:
It's not really a question that is possible to answer. Your edge can degrade due to rolling or deformation, chipping, wear, or corrosion. If the knife and type of cutting primarily abrades the edge, then a knife with high wear resistance will hold the longest. If it is chopping or push cutting, then a combination of sufficient hardness and toughness is required.

And example of a steel with extreme wear resistance would be S90V, S110V, 10V, or even 15V. Steels with a combination of high toughness and hardness would be S5, 3V, Vanadis 4, etc. Steels with very high corrosion resistance are H1, Cronidur 30, or X15T.N. There are of course steels with various combinations of these properties.
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I am talking about personal experience and not scientific aplications. Although your points are valid, they do not apply to the question, which is what is the best edge holding steel of the common knife steels and your personal experiences with them. You seem to have a great understanding but what was the best for you?
 
understand I am not out looking for a new blade or anything I had noticed how much better the edge stays on the D2 then the AUS8 and was wondering other experiences
 
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INFI.

Still shaved arm hair.

bussewoodpile.jpg
 
I've had the best luck with the ~63+ steels. Benchmade M2HSS (advertised 64rc) and spyderco ZDP-189, which is somewhere north of that. That's just for medium/light duty folders, for heavy duty use, infi and 01(rc61) have worked great.
 
unky_gumbi said:
I am talking about personal experience and not scientific aplications. Although your points are valid, they do not apply to the question, which is what is the best edge holding steel of the common knife steels and your personal experiences with them. You seem to have a great understanding but what was the best for you?
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What good would this information do for you unless you were asking about a particular knife and application? Those answering that are most interested in kitchen knives will like steels that are much different than those that like tactical knives. If you're only looking for general opinions on their favorite steel than it's just a popularity contest. Instead of starting a new thread you should search through old ones and start a spreadsheet.
 
unky_gumbi said:
I was just wondering, of all the common blade steels, which has the best edge holding properties?

I went from AUS8 to D2 and the D2 holds an edge much better yet is in the same RC area and has the same edge profile. I am not looking for scientific data here just personal experiences.

thanks for your input
Click to expand...

unky_gumbi said:
I am talking about personal experience and not scientific aplications. Although your points are valid, they do not apply to the question, which is what is the best edge holding steel of the common knife steels and your personal experiences with them. You seem to have a great understanding but what was the best for you?
Click to expand...

Larrin said:
What good would this information do for you unless you were asking about a particular knife and application? Those answering that are most interested in kitchen knives will like steels that are much different than those that like tactical knives. If you're only looking for general opinions on their favorite steel than it's just a popularity contest. Instead of starting a new thread you should search through old ones and start a spreadsheet.
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I agree with Larrin. What has worked best for me has varied depending on what I wanted to do with the knife.

I suppose that if I had diamond powder and strops I could get my D2 blades as sharp as I can get my AUS8 blades. But I don't and I can't. So if I need knife with a really fine edge, I want one of my AUS8 blades. But if I just need a regular sharp blade, D2 will hold its level of sharpness for a long time. And indeed I like my D2 blades as I can get them sharp enough to do most of jobs I use a knife to do. YMMV.
 
I think the question was common blade steels. As much as I like CPM 10V and 110V, ZDP-189 and others, those hardly qualify as common.
 
Larrin said:
What good would this information do for you unless you were asking about a particular knife and application? Those answering that are most interested in kitchen knives will like steels that are much different than those that like tactical knives. If you're only looking for general opinions on their favorite steel than it's just a popularity contest. Instead of starting a new thread you should search through old ones and start a spreadsheet.
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This question is no more in depth then a "show me your favorite knife" post, I think some are reading too much into the question. I really don't care what the answers are, I am just interested in what people think, nothing more.
I personally don't have a lot of experience with other steels besides 420, AUS8, and D2. So far I like the D2 holds an edge for me, have had no chipping issues, or rust issues. Yes its a bit time consuming to sharpen ,but thats ok because I like to sharpen. If you don't like the question don't bother answering it, its not important to me, I am just making conversation. Sort of asking how the weather is in your part of the world. OKay?
 
It's rainy here and my favorite steel is CPM M4 @ 62 HRC. Takes a super sharp edge quite easily, holds it for a lot longer than any other steel I've owned by an order of magnitude, handles rough use with 10 degree per side edge bevels without any chipping or deformation. An optimal balance of wear resistance and toughness IMO.
 
Nice rain is better then snow. I have been to NYC once, got lost, was running low on fuel and no one want to take my monopoly money even though I was offering 50 cnd for 20 us in gas.
 
unky_gumbi said:
This question is no more in depth then a "show me your favorite knife" post, I think some are reading too much into the question. I really don't care what the answers are, I am just interested in what people think, nothing more.
I personally don't have a lot of experience with other steels besides 420, AUS8, and D2. So far I like the D2 holds an edge for me, have had no chipping issues, or rust issues. Yes its a bit time consuming to sharpen ,but thats ok because I like to sharpen. If you don't like the question don't bother answering it, its not important to me, I am just making conversation. Sort of asking how the weather is in your part of the world. OKay?
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Welcome to my ignore list.

Edited to explain:
Anyone who would dis Larrin, one of the most knowledgeable people who post here, I have no time for.
 
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