Do you really need a "super steel"?

Dont need it and at times it seems to be more trouble than it is worth :eek: yeah I said it. Im mostly just tired of the steel arms race that seems to be going on. Seems like every month (or week) the newest, baddest, king of the hilliest steel comes out. I do admire them though. The metallurgists who devise them, the comments about them, the reviews, etc. I guess Id rather live vicariously through you fine gentlemen (and ladies)
 
Unless you count H1, I only have one knife in a super steel, CPM-3V to be exact. I wanted it rather than needed it, but it does shine by comparison over my simple steel knives such as 12C27, 1095, 1075, and S30V.
 
Although they probably aren't consider "supper-steels" anymore, the "highest grade" steels I have are ATS-34, ICM-154, S30V, D2, AND VG-10.

And despite having these steels available, I still use my 30+ year old Buck 110 on a semi-regular basis.

Despite the fact that I do a fair amount of cutting, I don't need any modern "super-steels", and I don't especially want them. I have nothing against them, I'm just not picky about the steel my blade is made of. If it does what I need it to do, then I'm happy. And if the steel that works for me costs a lot less than the "super-steels", all the better.
 
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No, I do not need super steels.

Neither did my dad or granddads. They did not suffer for lack of it nor were their lives more difficult without it.
 
Yes.
I do.
I deserve it.
Why cut with something less?
My tool should be superior.
Why not?
If I can afford a better steel, than I would be a fool not to use it.
K.I.S.S.
This is a no brainer for me.
YMMV.
My "super steels are: M2, M4, M390 & Elmax.
 
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Nope, the most technically advanced steel I own is S35vn.

I'm fine with my other pieces in A2, 1095, 1084 and Damascus and I actually prefer blades that develop a patina.
 
Screwdriver said:
I bought a 2005 BMW 325i new....when the warranty was over, I ended up paying around $5k the last year I had it. VANOS went out, and three window regulators in less than 12 months. Sold it and bought a KIA.
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As far as knives are concerned, super steels are your KIA-s in terms of maintenance and "good old" 1095, 440A including nondescript stainless stuff are just as demanding as that BMW... If you use them.

Even if one enjoys sharpening(and in that case, why so many complaints about hard to sharpen super, and not so super steels), still what's the fun with cutting using thick edges, or the knife edge dying in the middle of something because thin edge was used?
BTW 15 per side is not really thin, it's all relative, but still...
 
Keyman said:
Yes.
I do.
I deserve it.
Why cut with something less?
My tool should be superior.
Why not?
If I can afford a better steel, than I would be a fool not to use it.
K.I.S.S.
This is a no brainer for me.
YMMV.
My "super steels are: M2, M4, M390 & Elmax.
Click to expand...

Well said and variety is the spice of life. For me it is a hobby after all. My super steels are S110v, S90v, K390, M4, and ZDP among several others.
 
No sir! I've had no trouble with Kershaw's 14C28N, Buck's 420HC, or even the 1095 Cro-Van of my BK 11. I actually don't mind having to touch up the edges a little sooner than say, S30V.
 
grownstar said:
... I actually don't mind having to touch up the edges a little sooner than say, S30V.
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Nothing prevents you from putting thinner edge on S30V, to match "touch up" frequency with other alloys :) Added benefit being better cutting ability...
Besides, on abrasive materials little touchup won't help much...

P.S. I am quite sure S30V won't complain if you touch up whenever you want...
 
Of course not...I'm going back to copper blades. ;)
I don't need new-fangled things like bronze or this, what did you call it, "steel"?
 
I don't think the question is really do you need it. I think most people would agree no. I also think most people would agree that they are fun to read about and try out.

The problem I have is when people bitch about a knife that has a perfectly good steel (154cm, d2, s35vn etc) and not the latest/greatest thing out there.

There was a recent thread on here about it and I remember the gnashing of teeth when the ZT0454 was announced with a CPM-D2 cutting edge.
 
I like the "entry level" super steels like s35. They are not difficult to sharpen yet hold an edge for a long time. I won't pay extra for the same knife in a "better" steel.
 
Ernie1980 said:
I like the "entry level" super steels like s35. They are not difficult to sharpen yet hold an edge for a long time. I won't pay extra for the same knife in a "better" steel.
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Ah, but many call that a super steel.
Which you apparently don't need.
Of course, someone the other day said I don't need a knife, which he "proved" by tearing open a box with his keys. :D

I'll just keep on going with these things I don't need, like indoor plumbing, super steels, and heat which can be adjusted with a knob rather than shoveling coal. :)
 
No.. it has it's place but I like a good carbon steel blade. Super easy to get a fine edge with a quick strop, good retention, tough and love patina. Ever try to sharpen some of the super steels? PITA for some of them for sure. Though you don't have to sharpen them as much, I hate when I do.
 
I don't like to sharpen as often and I use ceramic and/or diamond when I do so the hard to sharpen part isn't as big of an issue. I don't like rust, so the rust resistant steels are nice, especially on an outdoor blade in a wet climate.
Sure we can make do with less efficient materials, but why? And the term super steel is meaningless as it changes through time. I remember when 154CM was a super steel, then M2 and D2, then S30V, and so on. Things better better with time.
 
stabman said:
Ah, but many call that a super steel.
Which you apparently don't need.
Of course, someone the other day said I don't need a knife, which he "proved" by tearing open a box with his keys. :D

I'll just keep on going with these things I don't need, like indoor plumbing, super steels, and heat which can be adjusted with a knob rather than shoveling coal. :)
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, relating the difference between something like 14c28n and m390 versus the difference between indoor and outdoor plumbing... that's a really fair comparison...
 
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