Dream Steel of Choice

kadinh

kadinh

Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
599
what would be everybody's steel of choice if they could have just one steel for the rest of time?

BG42? S90V? CTS-XHP? CPM-M4? ZDP-189? or just plain S30V?


i ask bc im looking for another knife and want to collect and try out a new steel. im kinda leaning in the direction of the ZDP. but so far, im very impressed with XHP on the manix 2 i have.
 
I'd pick S90V from that list and BG-42 second but that is just MY choice.

I like the CTS-XHP steel but it's still too new and I'd rather let it vett out more before I considered it my last steel.

Vassilli may think otherwise :D
 
right now I'd probably try the m390 benchmade 805 or 710 at knifeworks.

my mistake thought this was in general discussion. In a spyderco I am really looking forward to next years para sprint with cts-20cp or whatever it is
 
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One steel would have to do for both folding and fixed blades. I guess that would be 3V then.
 
Odin's Eye Damasteel.

Paul
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YXR 7

I've never owned a knife using this steel. I have only seen the steel in action and it is pretty impressive. Supposedly it will outperform ZDP-189 in wear resistance and edge retention.
 
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At the moment, ZDP-189 by a significant margin. I just received my Gayle Bradley with CPM M4 and haven't had time to evaluate it yet. Until then, S30v takes second place for its performance and versatility.
 
3v because I can tamper with the HT and get it to perform well for most blade types and sizes.
 
Other steels I could use for both folders and fixed blades would be :
1) 1095
2) 52100
3) Aogami ( Blue 1, 2, or super blue)
4) Vascowear/cruware/PD#1 etc.
5) 12C27
6) Aus 6
7) M2
8) CPM M4
9) D2
10) 440C

There are many that you wouldn't think of that would make both fixed blades and folders. Example, ZDP 189. It makes great folders, and excellent fixed blades of a certain type. Not exactly choppers but great at what they do.

10v and S90V are more examples. If you have ever had the luck of getting to use a Phil Wilson Coyote meadow in 10V, or another super steel pushed near it's limits know that there are jobs they are made for, jobs they aren't. Skinning a moose without touching up the edge is 10V's domain. Chopping and prying, not so much. 10V or S90V can make excellent folders too. In fact, amazing ones.

Not too many all around ones though. Impact resistance, strength coupled with decent to good/very good wear resistance. 3V is one such example. M4, to a lesser extent ( chopping wood) is another, as is D2. Cruware would make an excellent knife in this field too, with good to excellent all around strengths. 52100, same as are a few more.

Just thinking out loud.

Also, I haven't taken corrosion resistance into the figuring as I grew up with carbon/alloy steels and taking care of them is just part of ownership of tools.

I know there are folks here that complain when they rust out VG10, but that's not me.
 
"I'd pick S90V from that list and BG-42 second but that is just MY choice"

+1
 
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