Blade Steel Suggestion/Preference

S

SliCed

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Feb 12, 2014
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There is a lot of talk about blade steels and which one is the best. The categories usually have to do with edge retention, corrosion resistance, strength, etc. I want to ask everyones opinion on their experience with all of those, but focus the most on -Ease Of Sharpening- of course followed by edge retention. I'm thinking that for me, with no sharpening experience with these steels, just studying, that S35VN maybe even 154CM would be a good one for me. Do you think one of these would be the best for me?? I think in the folding knife community there seems to be a huge buzz about M390 (one could include 20-CV as well because of its composition). I'm curious how much more of a challenge/time consuming event is sharpening something like M390 compared to steels I'm more familiar with sharpening such as: 440C, 8CR13MOV, CPM S30V. S30V, if let go long enough, can be a bit more of a chore than I like, to get it back to a razor sharp edge. I'm also curious if VG-10 can compare to S35VN or 154CM in edge retention. Also if you could address M390 compared to CTS 20CP, 204P, CPM S90V, ZDP-189 for sharpening. Let's keep the comparisons stainless in this thread please. Thanks a lot for your help!! I know it's a loaded question.
 
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In my experience VG-10 (Spyderco) holds an edge just as long or more than 154CM (BM Mini grip). In addition it takes an extremely sharp edge and is easy to sharpen. It's one of my favorite blade steels for these reasons. I've never used S35VN. M390 (BM 810-1401) for me was pretty easy to sharpen but I used a sharpmaker with diamond rods first so it may be much harder without diamonds but it was far easier to get back to shaving sharp then I expected. I've only had to sharpen it once. M390 would be my favorite steel if it wasn't so pricey. But it is so until I hit the lotto I like the 10xx carbons, VG-10, 14C28N, I'm even a fan of AUS-8 as its easy to get hair popping sharp even though it won't stay that way as long as the others I don't mind.
 
I like VG10 a lot. It is easily sharpened and holds an edge very well. Edge retention is better than AUS8 and I think 154CM, perhaps on a par with CPM154. It has been overtaken by other steels in more recent years but is still a very solid performer.. If you're looking for a good balance between edge retention and sharpenability I think you'll like VG10.
 
For ease of sharpening with decent edge retention, I like both CPM-154 (noticeable difference over 154CM to me) and VG-10. Get something like a Spyderco Dragonfly or Delica to try it out, I think you will be impressed. Also, don't forget about 440C. It often gets overlooked by most because it's not the latest and greatest. But, with a good heat treat, it is a great steel. Boker does a good job with 440C.
 
I've been thinking of picking up a Delica for a while now to try out the VG-10 and collect one of the cool colors. I'm not a fan of back locks, but I think one will be ok, it is a Spyderco after all.
 
It can also vary depending on your sharpening system. Natural stones? Diamond stones? Sharpmaker? Powered system (eg. belt grinder, paper wheels)?

I sharpen primarily on diamond stones (DMT benchstones) and touch-up on the Sharpmaker. On the diamonds, there's not a great deal of difference from one steel to the next (at least to me). The diamonds seem to cut pretty aggressively on any steel. On the Sharpmaker, there is difference is more noticeable.

I've found 420HC, 440A, 8Cr13MoV, AUS-8, 14C28N, VG-10, 154CM, CPM-154, CPM-D2, S30V, S35VN, Elmax, M4, CTS-204P, and M390 to all be pretty easy to maintain using the Sharpmaker and a strop. ZDP-189 and S110V have not responded well on the Sharpmaker for me.

Easiest overall to sharpen to a screaming-sharp edge is probably 14C28N. Best compromise of ease of sharpening/maintenance and edge retention is a bit tougher to gauge. VG-10, CPM-154, and Elmax have all served me very well.
 
The element compositions are the same for:

M390=CTS-204P=20CV ( all powder process steels)
154cm= 14/4ChMo=CPM 154 ( first two Ingot vs. powder process)
CTS 20CP= S90V ( Both powder process )
CTS B75 = BG42 ( powder process vs. ingot)
440C = CTS 40CP ( ingot vs. powder)
S30V = CTS B30P ( both powder)
CTS-XHP = 440XH ( both stainless D2, XHP powder vs ingot for 440XH)
CPM Cruwear= PD#1= Z Wear= Vascowear plus a few more) ( All powder except Vascowear)

There are more
 
Avoid Sandvik steel if you are not cutting natural materials-anything with density in a synthetic material causes chipping and edge rolling on Sandvik...more of sportsman,farmhand,or kitchen knife steel.I'd personally recommend N680 for a knife that combines stone sharpening ease with positive results in sharpness and enough wear resistance for a mass production steel to outrank 420HC by a noticeable margin.
 
If you can sharpen and maintain 440C and 8Cr, then you should be able to sharpen and maintain VG-10 and 154CM using the same techniques, and without too much additional effort. IME, VG-10>154CM=440C>8Cr13MoV in the edge retention department.

S30V and S35VN should both hold an edge longer than the above steels, and will both require more effort to sharpen.

My favorite 'base' steels are 154CM, VG-10, 440C, and 14C28N/13C26.
I've owned several 420HC knives and a few AUS8 knives as well, but I've never been altogether happy with the edge retention on the ones I've owned.
 
Thanks a lot guys. I'll probably pick up a Delica. I have to try the VG-10. Thanks for all the info.
 
If you get serious about knives I recommend that you get a good sharpening system with diamond stones, and a strop. Then you won't fear sharpening the super steels. And to answer the question those are the steels that I prefer when they are available, such as M390, M4, 204, S90V and S110V, but I have a lot of knives in 154 and S30V too.

However, there are a lot of good steels on the market. VG10 and 154 are common steels that are very good. S30V is common but maybe a bit more challenging to sharpen. Depending on your viewpoint even 8A can be a good steel and is supposed to be easy to sharpen.
 
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