Favorite Folder Blade Steel

J

JxMAN25

Joined
May 27, 2010
Messages
42
Hey guys. im interest in your opinions and thoughts. So if you could have a folder with any blade steel of your choice which would you choose and why? And i want to hear from everyone. Jesse
 
As long as it's as good as well-treated 1095 I would be happy with it. Ergos mean far more than blade steel to me, as long as we're not talking about AUS4 or something like that.

But if I get to choose I'll say S90V because it has such high edge retention. I don't really need extreme toughness in a folder but I do like one that holds an edge.
 
For large fixed blades, I've not seen anything beat Infi as all around best steel.
For folders I like D2 a lot, have great experience with it. I'm new to CPM-154 but so far it's very nice too. In general for folders it is less critical to me, and I like anything from 440C upwards.
 
Although I like 440C and up, if I could choose it would be S90V for the hardness, edge retention and corrosion resistance in a folder. A pretty awesome combination IMHO.
 
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ZDP-189 65-67HRC, M2 64-65HRC, M4 64-65HRC, CPM 10V 64-65HRC, CPM 3V 62-63HRC, CPM S90V 60-61HRC, CPM S110V 64-65HRC.
I have some of the above in the folders and they work just fine, others I have used in light/medium cutter fixed blades and based on that I can conclude they will be excellent folder steels.
 
I've heard really great things about CTS-XHP. I had an XM-18 in it a little while ago, but then it developed a hairline crack right above the thumb stud, so it got replaced with a 20CV :(, but it seems to be a very nice steel. seems to be tough, and has good edge retention, and good corrosion resistance, and I don't think it's too too bad to work with.

all of my knives are in S30V or CPM154 right now though (except for the Mayo that I'm selling, that's in CTS-40CP).
 
I like S30V for my folders because it holds a very sharp edge.

I never had a folder in D2 but I think that is great steel and holds an nice sharp edge too.
 
of all that ive had and used i like m4, id like to try some of these new steels, like the carpenter series but i dont have moneyyyy. im not a big fan of s30v.
 
It depends what the folder is for. I don't have as much experience as others here with steels, but here goes:

--M4 for straight up edge holding
--S30v for all-around and simple in a medium to large folder (nice corrosion resistance, easy to sharpen, holds a working edge awhile)
--12c27 for all-around and simple in a smaller folder (similar to s30v but seems to hold a razor edge longer and a working edge not as long, also a bit easier to sharpen. I'll take 12c27 in this role over VG10 only because I have had rust issues with VG10.)
--1095 in a traditional (good all around and the patina adds significantly to the looks)
 
D2 is my favorite steel for folders. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:

I find it offers the corrosion resistance of a stainless steel with all the benifits of high carbon steel.

A Dozer folder in D2 will cut forever. :eek:







Big Mike
 
There are so many blade steels that work well, and alloy plays such a small part of cutting performance. If I am just after a knife, I don't worry much about the alloy.

It would be easier to list alloys I would not consider. That would be anything with less than about 0.45% carbon:
3Cr13 aka 420J2, etc.
 
For everyday use, I like VG10. Quick and easy for me to sharpen and keeps a decent edge for awhile. I also like S30V, holds a edge a little longer but takes a little more work to get sharp so it's a fair trade. For work in the summer where I usually stay pretty sweaty, I like spyderco's H1. I find it performs alot like VG10 to me, yet doesn't get rust spots like the S30V does when I forget and leave it in the pocket of some sweaty jeans in the clothes hamper.

Grizz
 
vg 10 and cts xhp are my favorite so far because they hold and edge well, resist rust well and are easy to sharpen. I really havent liked s30v so far because I sharpen by hand and it takes forever. I feel like xhp sharpens quicker and holds and edge just as well. not sure how that works out but thats just my observation. I havent gotten into the CPM M4, 390, or S90V level stuff yet but I think when I do I will need to start sharpening on a belt grinder or something.
 
I really like Sandvik steels - 13c26 and 14c28. Great all around steels that take a really fine edge. :thumbup:
 
8cr13mov and Buck's 420HC. I enjoy sharpening. :)

Both of these take an edge very easily and will hold it long enough for my needs. I also have knives in s30v, cpm-d2, and elmax, but I never get to sharpen those.
 
I carry either 154CM (my old BM 940) or S30V (RSK Mk1, BM 940Ti) more than any other. They get sharp enough for my utilitarian needs and they hold it well.
 
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