Current Best Steel?

[Dav1]

I like trying different steels and have currently knives with circa 50 different steels. But I still love the tougher simple carbon and stainless steels such as 14c28n, 12c27, 420hc (when well done), 5160, 80crv2 etc...

 

[SkyStream]

There is no best steel.

I know there's really no best, but I know M390/204P/20CV has been considered the most premium steel to many people for the past few years. Do you think Magnacut will replace those as being that go to premium steel or will it still be M390/204P/20CV? Thanks

 

[marchone]

It's easy to see why Magnacut is the steel du jour.

What makes MagnaCut special is its balance of high toughness, high corrosion resistance, and good edge holding.

I recently tried Magnacut out of curiosity, despite putting little priority on corrosion resistance. My favorite aspect of it is not something that jumps out of the specs, but rather how well it takes a screaming sharp edge. For my equipment and technique, it takes an amazing edge with little effort. I've been using it at 63 HRC. I recently sharpened half a dozen knives, about half were 3V and the other half Magnacut. The difference in ease of sharpening is remarkable.

It's easy to see why MagnaCut is the steel du jour. Ease of sharpening and good edge holding are two of the most desirable traits after geometry. Lots of manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon.

 

[Wolverine666]

I have yet to try out MagnaCut. But I plan to. Currently , I have found S110V to be outstanding for my needs. But I still really enjoy S30V even though it’s extremely common these days.

 

[Larrin]

I know there's really no best, but I know M390/204P/20CV has been considered the most premium steel to many people for the past few years. Do you think Magnacut will replace those as being that go to premium steel or will it still be M390/204P/20CV? Thanks

I’m not a fan of M390 so I would be happy for it to be replaced with several other steels. MagnaCut is a really good one.

 

[Synov]

There is no best steel.

But Magnacut is really really good

 

[gooeytek]

I'm sticking with S90V for most applications, but I do have a custom Magnacut Santoku coming

 

[bucsfan69]

I think everyone has their own favorite “supersteel”. I have many in them all, but personally I like Elmax over them all… again, my preference not based on the charts.
Let’s see when or if this so called Elmax2 can be had in a blade

 

[ferider]

Here is a very loose interpretation of a plot on knifesteelnerds. What you see below, are some of today's "best in class" trade-offs between toughness and edge retention:

So, for example, if you want a very tough knife, 3V might be a good choice. If you want very high edge retention (at the expense of a more fragile edge), Maxamet might do.

Magnacut is right there in the middle, very similar to 4V and M4, but basically completely stainless.

 

[Enzo’s Woodshop]

my chosen “best steel” would have to be Z-Tuff.

I also love S7, A8 Mod, SR77, and others in that class of ultra-tough steels.

 

[ferider]

my chosen “best steel” would have to be Z-Tuff.

Me too. Made of unobtainium though. And 420HC and AEB-L come pretty close

 

[Enzo’s Woodshop]

Me too. Made of unobtainium though. And 420HC and AEB-L come pretty close

agreed

 

[calm]

Apparently the best knife steel is the one on a knife using G10 handles

 

[TheEdge01]

My search for the “best” steel ended when I realized the “low end” steels were good enough for me.

 

[Dr Rez]

But Magnacut is really really good

View attachment 2151898

You know you are replying to the guy who designed magnacut and that graph you posted right?

 

[ferider]

BTW, OP, you don't need to sell a kidney to get a Magnacut knife anymore. This one was $135. My Magnacut Buck 110 was $140.

 

[Synov]

You know you are replying to the guy who designed magnacut and that graph you posted right?

Yes...

 

[stonemedusa6264]

In theory it'd be vibranium right?

 

[Enzo’s Woodshop]

My search for the “best” steel ended when I realized the “low end” steels were good enough for me.

I am a nerd when it comes to alloys, I always enjoy reading Larrin articles and going through discussion threads on here regarding the latest and greatest.

But in terms of what I actually tend to use, I agree with you. I’ve got more knives in 1095 than any other steel. 1095, 420HC, O1, those are my most used steels. And when it comes to commissioning customs, I tend to request simple carbon steels. Both customs I currently have in the works are in 1095.

 

[ferider]

In theory it'd be vibranium right?

I think Adamantium has higher edge retention.