Favorite folder steel!

My mundane uses are light enough to be able to get through two weeks with 3cr13 steel. In fact, I think I might also be able to make do with 3cr13 steel when Ihave to go back to the military for three weeks refresher training in November this year.

For tougher stuff, 7cr17 and 8cr13mov get the job done.
 
For edc, I like the softer steels because generally the knife is cheaper, so I don't mind abusing it, and the steel is easy to sharpen, I don't mind doing it every other week. For example the Aus8 on my Ontario rat 1 is perfect for me. I really like that knife.

But with that said, I also appreciate my higher quality knives that stay centered, have a smooth action, and are always sharp when I need them, which is why I'm a big fan of vg10 and s30v from spyderco.
 
Top preference, M390.

Once it's scary sharp, the edge outlasts other steels I've used throughout the years (D2, 154CM, S30V)

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To pick just two, 1095 and CPM-154 are my general go-tos. It depends on the knife, of course, and i have plenty of other knives in different steels. Further, there remain several steels i haven't tried yet, and my mind could certainly change over time.
 
Just picked up a ZT 0560BW and the elmax is great... I had a 0561 when it first came out, and recall not being impressed with its cutting performance; for some reason, this new black wash variant cuts much better. Maybe the adjusted the geometry or tempering... not sure, but I do know I like it very much. It kicked every other folder out of my pocket.
 
S30V, XHP, S35VN and Elmax are what I lean towards. All are good, balanced steels that perform more than well enough for my needs and can be found on fairly inexpensive knives, which is key. M390, S90V and M4 are awesome, but I don't really need the performance jump and they typically come with a significantly higher price tag.
 
I have that on my Seamus Knives Cracked Uber. It is a custom knife. And has been my EDC for 4 years.

 
Idahonotu said:
I really like m390 and cpm m4! but i would like to try buck's s30v heat treat and see how it feels over other s30v's, is it still done by paul?
Click to expand...

Yes and no. Paul Bos retired from Buck in 2010 however Paul Farner who spent a decade working with Paul continues the heat treat method Paul Bos and Buck Knives is famous for.
 
In no particular order.....

3V

If I hated sharpening....

20CV

Honorable Mentions:

XHP
154
VG10
D2

Warming up to S35vn at 60+ HRC
 
M390 for stainless. 52100 in non-stainless. Suspect I'd love CPM M4, but I have no personal experience.

Non-stainless is a tough sell for me, both in the kitchen and in the pocket, but my 52100 kitchen knife was a gift and it's a laser.
 
I am all over Stellite 6-K and CPM S-125-V. Non-stainless: CPM S10-V and K390.
 
Depends on the use, regular use with a full flat grind I like steel that I can cut with for a long time if needed (hours of paper, cardboard ore cloth) so S110v, k390 or 10v, if something more tank like (strider, ZT, BM Adamas,) I prefer 3V, 4V, PD1, M4. Not really a fan of the lower edge holding- easier to sharpen steels as much, because I don't really like having to take sharpening breaks in a large cutting job (if I even have sharpening equipment available), I'd rather just spend a little more time on diamond rods when I get home
 
Stellite 6K(not steel, but amazing blade metal!!)

All with a great heat treat.

K390 and CPM 3V non- stainless

S90v, S110v,

Right around the bend would be M390.

Thinking of trying PD#1
 
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