Favorite folding knife steel?

I'm gonna have to say it's a close race between ATS-34 and 440C. I'm a simple man, and I don't find myself often in need of something like S30V, BG-42 or the other high end steels. I hear that 154CM is nearly identical in chemical compostion to ATS-34, but in the real world they just don't behave the same and I have to give the nod to ATS-34.
 
D2 is probably #1. Vg-10 a close second. I normally am a carbon fan (1095/5160) or tool steel like O1. But for a folder I like D2 for it's "almost stainless" properties.
 
I think I would have to say ZDP-189. That stuff just sharpens up so nicely and easily. Edgeholding is obviously nothing to sneeze at either.

But quite frankly, I would be happy with either S30V or VG-10 (very different steels but equally good in their own rights IMHO) and for bad weather I take H-1.
 
S30V and VG-10. I can't really tell the difference between the two in my daily use.

I also really like Spyderco's H1 as I am paranoid about rust. My Spyderedge Pacific Salt is sharp enough to push cut news print, yet is also serrated and makes short work of rope and such.

I haven't tried BG-42 or ATS-34 yet.

I also have an 806D2, and I am sure I will end up loving the D2, but I haven't used it enough to really say.
 
My Steels will go

1) S30V - (but now CPM 154 is out I will have to give that a look)
2)BG-42
3)VG-10

I finally got to use talonite the other day and sharpen it and I was really impressed with that but I haven had edc experience with it so I cant say much past that. I like S30V because almost all the knives i carry are in it, hold a good edge, and I get them really sharp
 
Richard Sommer said:
So what is your favorite steel for folders? I know that heat treat and geometry are as or more important than steel, but within reason, I can fix geometry and I have no control over heat treat. So lets say you like VG10, from whom.
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RWL34 high temperature heat treated to 60HRC, as Jürgen Schanz gets it from his supplier. No chips, like i have found on S30V f.e., takes a very sharp edge and stays sharp for very long time. That is a PM stainless. I have no concerns about rust, so my actual blade is great too. Maybe tougher than a folder blade must be and maybe a bit less wear resistant than other steel grades may be, but it serves me very well and it will rust easier than a stainless. But it never did after nearly one year of constant edc.

My concern in a folder is more rust resistance than edge holding, since I use my knives for all sorts of things. I usually wash them well and blow them off with compressed air. I am sure some moisture could accumulate at the pivot. Lubricant may get rid of some of it, but maybe not all. What are your opinions?
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I never found any at the pivot. If you apply some grease there, there is no space for anything else. Maybe you don´t have to get the blade out, maybe it is enough to loosen the pivot, that some space comes, so you can apply some militec there. Where is oil, there is no water.
 
ZDP-189 for a light folder for EDC
S30V for a general use folder
CPM 440V for my heavy use folders if the blades are not too large
D2 in the large bladed folders, as Camillus uses in their CUDA MAXX models.
 
My 3 favorites for FOLDERS are (in no particular order): S30V, D2, and 154CM.

I know BG42, and M2 are awesome, but I don't have any experience with them.
 
Tough to tell the difference in the top steels. Especially when you are cobsessive compulsive about sharpening.:D

I'd say that you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between any of them unless you where really using the knives hard.

154CM, ATS34, VG-10, S30V, D2 and M2 are what I try to stick with for most folders.

M2 seems to be the best as far as edge holding, but like I said, when you ue it opening envelopes and cutting string for two days and them feel the uncontrolable urge to run it throught the Sharpmaker, who really knows?
 
I really like M2, but I don't care for the black coating that BM puts on the blades, but it's there to help prevent rust. s30v seems to perform well from what I've seen so far. I really like the ZDP189 from Spyderco, as it seems to take an incredibly sharp edge from what I've seen so far. Spyderco has talked about some limited runs with M4 and some other high wear resistant steels that should out perform steels like s30v, D2, M2 as far as edge holding.
 
I second the Boye Dendritic Cobalt- I feel that it is one of the most underrepresented steels out there. I have been carrying mine every work day for nearly 2 years and have no complaints. A bit soft but that makes it very easy to sharpen. Totally corrosion proof- I love the damascus look to it; and it cuts like a saw- awsome on paper, meat ect.:eek:
 
I never found any at the pivot. If you apply some grease there, there is no space for anything else. Maybe you don´t have to get the blade out, maybe it is enough to loosen the pivot, that some space comes, so you can apply some militec there. Where is oil, there is no water.[/QUOTE]


Thanks Blob, good advise. Thanks for all of the replies, it is very interesting reading.

Richard
 
So, if you´ve found out, that stainless is not that "must be", the varity of choices can grow to non stainless - steel grades.:D :D

What are you looking, besides stainless, that is not that important anymore:D , next? Maybe D2 or, if there are some left, M2 comes in sight?

M2 as a production folder type, would be best choice after the customs i have mentioned.
 
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