Best type of stainless for an EDC folder?

M

mlu359

BANNED
Joined
Nov 18, 2009
Messages
123
What do you guys think? And is this steel any good?

Sandvik 13C26 stainless-steel

Thanks
 
I've found 13C26 to be quite good. It doesn't rust all that easily if you don't get a beadblast finish, and even if you do a bit of oil will stop any major rusting. It sharpens up very easily, and it holds the edge as long as you'd expect for a decent, mid-range steel.
 
I like 13C on my EDCs. It's easy to sharpen and takes a fine edge. It doesn't hold it forever, but like I said, it's easy to sharpen. I really like the new 14C28N.

I prefer CPM steels if I have a choice, though. CPM 154 is one of my favorites.
 
Duratech D20CV is my favorite edc steel.

Only the best knives and makers use this steel :)
 
i havent used 13c26n but i have used 14c28n and i do like it. vg10 is one of my favorite steels too because for me its super easy to sharpen and gets real sharp.
 
There are quite a few interesting stainless steels. DuraTech 20CV being one of them.
I just run this query on the steel chart to find other steels similar to Duratech, i.e. Carbon more than 1.90%, Cr >=20% and V >=4%...
What I found is that M390 Isomatrix is most likely the same steel, just made by Uddeholm, Dureatech being Laterobe PM steel.
And MPL-1 steel from Criucible has even more Cr 24%...
Other than that not much...

As for the other steels with less Cr in them, I personally think s110V would be a very strong contender, and so are Cowry X and ZDP-189, S90V and few others.

P.S. BTW, who uses 20v in the knives?
 
I like S30V and 154CM in my EDC blades. Chris Reeve's S30V is everything you could ever ask for in a blade steel. It takes a crazy-sharp edge, and holds it forever. It doesn't rust, and it's tough as nails. I've never had any bad luck with a knife in 154CM or S30V. I don't have much experience with the Sandvik steels, but Bark River's 12C27 is excellent.
 
The sandvic steels are pretty good for folders. But my favourite stainless are S30V and VG10. Really you can't go wrong with neither steels.
 
S30V, VG-10, 154CM are all great EDC steels
I also really like the Sandvik steels from Kershaw
 
I don't mind so much, really. It's neat to know about the different types, and why my S30V blades behave differently that the 154Cm, for instance, but I can do fine with "lower-grade" steels like 420HC (used in the Buck 110 since... whenever...).
Matter of fact, I'd like to see more folders using carbon steel like 1095, instead of stainless. Just a preference.
 
I want to love S30v as it holds a helluva edge but every knife I have had with it the blade has chipped Blur, Manix, Military and even a SMG Strider so thats not my favorite although its really, really good.

I am throwing my .02 cents on BG-42, its a damn shame not enough makers use it anymore.
 
The Chef said:
I want to love S30v as it holds a helluva edge but every knife I have had with it the blade has chipped Blur, Manix, Military and even a SMG Strider so thats not my favorite although its really, really good.

I am throwing my .02 cents on BG-42, its a damn shame not enough makers use it anymore.
Click to expand...

That pretty much mirrors my experience. I have found that Paul Bos treated 420HC, CPM154 and BG-42 are my favorite steel. OK, I like 440C too.

I have found most of the 'Super Steels' to be a PITA to sharpen. (Think S90V)
 
my friend has a 13c kershaw and he got it in Feb of '09 and never sharpened it and used it pretty hard and i sliced a piece of paper with it the other day, i was pretty impressed with it.
 
mlu359 said:
What do you guys think?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on what kind of EDC you do with it. Heavy use, light use EDC etc.

I like the Bos heat treated S30V first and Bos heat treated 420HC second. I have no trouble sharpening the S30V, just takes a bit longer than 420HC. It is not as brittle as other S30V steels. It is hardened to Rockwell 59.

By comparison Bos heat treated 420HC (Rockwell 58) sharpens easily and is good for lighter use, though I sometimes give it heavy use. It will dull quicker than S30V in heavy use.

440C is a very good steel. But then I have 38 year old stockmans in 440A which have held up well, too.

INOX (Victorinox, as in victor - inox) has also served me well and mirror polishes well.

So the BEST type? Just get a knife you like for your purposes and any of the steels people listed here as favorites will do.
 
It's easier to list the steels that aren't generally regarded as very good steels and everyone's views will vary depending on what they use their knives for. You'll get lots of opinions, but steel is pretty good these days and it depends on who heat treats the blades and if the blade is polished.

I'm not fond of any of the 420 steels, even by Buck and others. If you stick to decent knife makers, it's hard to get a bad knife. It's much more likely that you'll pay more than you need to for a good knife.

The 13C26 is most likely fine for your purposes. I carry Cold Steel knives and am happy with the heat treatment of their blades and their overall strength and integrity of their folders. I also like Spyderco and think you'll like any knife you choose from their listings.

I like larger blade sizes and the Cold Steel Voyager is one of my favorite knives. The 4-inch plain edge is ideal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top