Best steel?

S90V tie ZDP 189
SG2
BG42
VG10 (not the most wear resistant of all but might be the best balanced of them)
20CV tie S30V
 
bignomad said:
I know this question has been asked a hundred times before,but here goes again, what are the top 3 or 4 types of stainless steel for a folding knive blade.
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I wonder, what answer do you expect and why it always makes more than one page of replies to that question.

Really, what did you expect for an answer? Someone, out of the woods, never been to the forums coming in with a steel grade noone ever talked about? If so, than what?

What are you missing in the hundredthousand threads and answers, given before?

WHAT?
 
cutlerylover said:
I have to add CPM S30V...it has a finer more even grain than regular S30V...just a bit nicer when compared to each other...More inof can be found at crucibles website, just google crucible steel...
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As said before: There is no regular S30V and a finer version. It is all the same but,

where did you mention the difference? Wich knives which manufacturer? It may spot a light on the level of quality production.
 
OwenM said:
There is no "regular" S30V, but it is an exceptionally fine steel, which makes me wonder whenever people compare it to other popular steels while erroneously implying that the others have a finer grain structure(which few, if any, commonly used stainless steels do).
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ok, I stand corrected, I had thought the CPM S30V was made by crucible but just S30V was a similar steel made by another company...ok, get it now, S30V is just an abbreviation to amke things easy...got ya!
 
After all the testing and reviews of different steels, I do believe a properly executed "tool steel" blade will hold it's own with steel available today.
Lycosa
 
cutlerylover said:
ok, I stand corrected, I had thought the CPM S30V was made by crucible but just S30V was a similar steel made by another company...ok, get it now, S30V is just an abbreviation to amke things easy...got ya!
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As I understand certain composition can be made only using PM, otherwise it will not be homogeneous - CPM S60V, CPM S90V, CPM 10V, ZDP189, SRS15, SG2 - etc can be done only this way.

They try to use PM against regular steel composition RWL34 and recent CPM 154 is just 154CM made using PM. Also CPM D2 is D2 made using PM. I think knife manufacturers desperate now in search for American steel which may compete Japanese ZDP189 and SG2. This is why we have CPM 154 and CPM D2.

But I guess it is clear now that initial Crucible substitution for CPM 440 - CPM S90V should be accepted at the first place and this is what is happening right now - Sal announced Military with CPM S90V finally and I guess it is matter of time now when we'll have real American supersteel on knives made by American manufacturers.

I hope to see CPM S125V on the market too at some point.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I would have to agree with Nathan the Machinist ie:The top 3 or 4? S30V, 154CM, ATS34, VG10
Although I would consider 154CM & ATS34 one in the same.Then either keep or replace VG10 with ZDP-189.My opinion
 
Lycosa said:
Vassili--- Why do you hope to see CPMS125V being used? Thanks.
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According to Sal Glesser Spyderco has hard time grinding it, because it is so wear resistant - he sad CPM S125V grind their equipment instead. This is why they even drop already announced limited run for it with Military! And I do not remember before Sal doing this.

To me this is indication that CPM S125V is grate steel! My logic is simple:

First - at least it was good enough to consider it for limited run for Military, so it is not like CPM 9V which has unacceptable hardness for knives - at least it pass first stage and even were announced to be produced. So it was good enough to substitute CPM S30V in limited run.

Second - after they start grinding it they have problem with their equipment - CPM S125V is too goog for it!

So, I am not manufacturer, but customer, to me all this production trouble indicates that this steel will possibly hold the edge exceptionally and I like to try it!

I hope that Crucible will make this steel available and people who able to make knives from any steel will be able to pick it. I already have CPM 10V knife from J.P.Holmes. It does not seems that working with CPM S90V, CPM 10V, Duratech 20CV etc is any trouble for him. But CPM S125V is not available, as well as CPM 15V on backorder in Crucible for like 5 years!

Thanks, Vassili.
 
The best steel is the steel that is on the knife that is on your person. The End.
 
I recently bought a Mantis with S30V. I've used it on a daily basis for a couple of weeks and haven't had to touch it up yet.
 
Nah the best steel is H1!

Because the best steel without any parameters is up to the opinionated poster to decide. This opinionated poster is a lazy sob, so a rust proof steel is the best for a pocket knife.
 
S30V
ATS-34/154CM

I love these three in every knife I have had them in be it BM, Spydie, Kershaw or whatever in between. Not a metallugist here, quite frankly I don't care what has the "best" qualites of content it doesn't matter, we are end users. Its all about what feels good in your hand, can you sharpen it well and does it do what you want in terminal performance?

As to all the references to D2, its a great metal, by no means is it stainless though...I had a Osborne BM in D2 and it leeche everything juice from cutting fruit, meat, whatever...
 
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