Favorite Knife Steel?

S

SBaker34

Joined
Jun 16, 2010
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What do you consider for yourself the best knife steel and why you can do top favorite, or list one each for fixed and folding blades. Doesn't need to be the "best" steel, just what you prefer.


For me it has to be m390 and variations, relatively tough, takes a polished razor edge, top level edge retention, extremely stainless.
 
folders? ELMAX and fixed blade 12c27... like you said, doesn't have to be the best, just what I like. I think ELMAX is hard to beat in a folder... great in a fixed blade as well, but I've used 12C27 more and it's grown on me. not the worlds best edge holder but it sharpens like carbon and as tough so meh?
 
I like m4 and cpm154. Though truth be told I like most any steel as long as it has a good ht and is incorporated in a good design.
 
Today I'm carrying M4 and S35VN so those until tomorrow


Hoping to test out cts 204p tomorrow
 
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rustyrazor said:
folders? ELMAX and fixed blade 12c27... like you said, doesn't have to be the best, just what I like. I think ELMAX is hard to beat in a folder... great in a fixed blade as well, but I've used 12C27 more and it's grown on me. not the worlds best edge holder but it sharpens like carbon and as tough so meh?
Click to expand...

Elmax is a weird steel, It should be a very tough steel and should have great edge retention close to m390. But many people who tested it are unimpressed and say it is worse then s30v. Makes it hard to justify that elmax paramilitary 2.
 
I'm a big fan of CPM S30V. Great all-around steel that holds a good working edge for a while.
 
I have had great experiences with aus 8. S30v never let's me down. Elmax and vg10 are being put to the test now but so far so good. Sandvik is also been good to me. 1095 takes a beating and keeps going. It would be easier to say what I don't like. 420j, 440, 7crap13mov.
 
For folders M4 is the single steel that I like the best based on my use, but I'm not very good at taking care of it. I like S110V also, based on its reputation. As mentioned Elmax should be a good steel, and I've got a few in Cruwear.

For fixed blades, since I've been studying the Bark River line, I like A2 and S3V. Based on reputation I should like 52100 as well.
 
CPM 154 is my favorite. Although I have never used m390, or s35vn so I haven't had a chance to experience some of the other high end steels YET.
 
O1 or M4 for folders and its a toss up between O1 and 1095 crovan for fixed blades.

For me it comes down to geometry and HT for my choice between them.
 
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I'm with Surfingringo. I like just about any steel that's done well. However, I'm not a huge fan of super hard steels like ZDP-189. I'd rather have to sharpen a little more frequently and have it be relatively easy than to sharpen once a month and it be a pain in the rear.

Overall I'd say probably S30V is my favorite. Great combination between edge retention and ease of sharpening.
 
Different steels for different applications.
Say for instance a tomahawk, my choice would be S7,
it's a shock resisting tool steel with excellent toughness and high strength, along with medium wear resistance. It has maximum shock resistance and high compression strength, which gives it good deformation resistance in use, while retaining good toughness.
I'd also have not a qualm in the world about using 5160 for tomahawk either.

It really is tradeoffs with steels so choose the steel that suits the intended use(s) of the edged tool.

DC
 
This is partly a user's and partly a maker's perspective.

Fixed blades:
1084 for fine edge, toughness, easy heat-treat, and low cost
A2 for all of the above plus edge retention (but requires a more obtuse edge angle)
CPM154, expect to be replaced by S35VN soon, caveat cost

Folders:
CPM154 for a great all-arounder at reasonable cost
S35VN for a great all-arounder at unreasonable cost
VG10 for a great all-arounder trading some edge retention for fine grain and low edge angles

Note no carbon steels for Folders. I badly wish my two GEC Scouts were CPM154.
 
Folders:
ELMAX
440c
Sandvik 14c28n

All well balanced stainlesses, hold a decent edge, and are relatively easy to sharpen.

Fixed:
1095 cro-van
440c
154cm

They're the ones I have the most experience with, and none has let me down yet.
 
I love it that there are some guys keeping it old school... 440c, Nice. I have always loved it too.
 
Fixed....I'm all about carbon steels,

#1 is Infi super tough and easy to sharpen
#2 SR101 same as above
#3 1095 time tested and proven low cost steel

Folder's

#1 S30V good balance of stainless, ability to get sharp, and toughness
#2 D2 gets sharp, stays sharps, will take a patina
#3 154cm great low cost stainless with high performance
 
If rust is not an issue
1. PD#1
2. 3V
3. 52100

If rust is an issue
1. CPM154
2. Niolox
3. S35VN
 
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