Best steel for maintaining the sharpest edge...

P

Paul Janulis

Joined
Nov 18, 2003
Messages
136
I have a question for the experts.

What is the best type of steel to use for being able to obtain the sharpest edge, and how well will it hold that edge? What is the best type of steel for maintaining your edge?

Just curious. I am no expert, so I would like to learn from you guys...

Thanks!

PAUL
 
A lot depends on what you are going to use it for.

My vote is for Crucibles CPM steels........420V in particular for edge holding......S30V a close second with an improvement in toughness.

But there are a lot of other steels that work very well for any number of uses.

Did you notice that Kit just ducked the question!!!??? :confused:
 
Can I be the first to say:

A 'bad' steel with a 'good' heattreat will outperform a 'good' steel with a 'bad' heattreat.


Steve
 
Paul,
If Tom hadn't have beaten me, I'd a said S30V and S90V. Since he already posted those two, looks like S90V and S30V have my vote.:)
If those are heat treated right and have good edge geometry, they are hard steels to beat.

1095, 01, D2, BG42, 154CM are all great steels, but each has it's own parculiars, just like S30V and S90V.

OK, IG, I went ahead of you cause I did say something about older going last:)
 
Originally posted by Kit Carson
Paul,
Better sit down and relax. I imagine you will be getting plenty of opinions:)
Click to expand...

Good info so far! I expect to get many varied answers, which is good!

I really am only an amature when it comes to knife collecting, so I am here to learn.

The "heat treated" comment by Sando makes a lot of sense, of course.

So that brings me to another question...you take your favorite blade making steel, and now you want to design the sharpest edgeholding knife on the planet...the kind that people tell fables about...the kind that cuts silk that falls on it...the kind that...well, you get the idea. ;)

So...how what method would you use to construct such a piece? I know the question is very broad, and don't worry knife-makers, I am not asking you to give away all the family secrets! :D I just want to know what I should be looking for as a collector if I were to want to purchase such a piece.

Thanks again guys for your help!

Paul Janulis
 
Its more than just the steel of course. Edge retention and performance also depends on related factors like grind shape, edge bevel thickness, geometry and grain size, edge bevel coarseness. The HT has already been mentioned which of course relates to the hardness and grain pattern. All interact to produce the end-result. Jason.
 
S90V is a machine. To cut long and "stay crisp" at the edge, it gets my vote easily, for general purpose/non-impact blades. :cool:
 
I just saw your answer on TV. It's Titanium!
Sorce is Remington Shavers.
 
I understand S30V was developed specifically for cutlery making. In general that is unique, I believe. Even the popular 440C is classified as a tool steel.

RL
 
Originally posted by HammerFall
i hear that D2 is a really good steel for holding an edge as well as being very close to stainless in composition.
Click to expand...
D2 TAKES A LOUSY EDGE! AND HOLDS IT! as kit said! have a seat and relax! now all the die hard carbon steel disciples will chine in and you well hear all about how it beats these new fangeled stainless steels all to @#$%, get a beer and some popcorn!:D
 
After many years of using all types of steel blades, I have concluded that edge geometry is almost as important as the steel. Whatever steel I use, I put ease of sharpening very high, even though I have a belt sander I still want a blade that I can sharpen quickly with a stone.
My two cents!
 
db, the Remington shaver I,m sure has a coating of titanium nitride which is hard and wear resistant, rather than just titanium which doesn't make very good knives.But the masses never know the difference.
 
Mete I don't really know. I had just saw the commercial and really didn't catch everything that was said. The phrase that really got my atention was something like, " Ti. is the sharpest metel known to man.." or something really close to that. Marketing it's a great thing huh?
 
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