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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Best Folder Steel
- Thread starter Joel J
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2002
- Messages
- 9,948
What are you using it for and where are you using it? What shape will the blade have? How wide will it be edge to spine and side to side?
Most folks will tell you that S30V, ATS-34/154CM, BG42, VG10, or D2 are at the top of the best-overall steel heap and they're probably right. If you're not wearing overalls, maybe you'll need some other steel.
If you're looking to put the thinnest possible edge on your blade, D2, M2, or S90V might be your bag.
There's no right answer without more info.
Most folks will tell you that S30V, ATS-34/154CM, BG42, VG10, or D2 are at the top of the best-overall steel heap and they're probably right. If you're not wearing overalls, maybe you'll need some other steel.
If you're looking to put the thinnest possible edge on your blade, D2, M2, or S90V might be your bag.
There's no right answer without more info.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2002
- Messages
- 262
These days, every knife I purchase has S30V. I've been happy with it's edge holding ability, corrosion resistance, and I haven't had any edge chipping issues. I keep the edges touched up on a sharpmaker. I use my knives but don't abuse them. If I need a screw driver or a pry tool, I go get the proper tool for the job. Also, I don't tend to lend out my knives.
John...
John...
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2003
- Messages
- 1,620
I'm certainly not an expert, but I agree that there is no one answer. I have owned just about every modern steel mentioned, and I have found that the blade grind, heat treating, etc. have more to do with edge holding capabilities, and ease of sharpening than just the type of steel. For example I've seen knives that were (supposedly) 440C that were difficult to sharpen and didn't hold an edge, and I've seen the opposite. Benchmade makes a good example of 440C being easy to sharpen, and still hold an edge well with the Outbounder and the Griptilian series.