Favorite Stainless in your EDC Folder?(revised)

Favorite Stainless for your EDC folding knife(revised)

  • ZDP-189/S90V

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • S30V

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 154CM/ATS-34

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • BG-42

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • VG-10

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 440C

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • AUS-8

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • H-1

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 420HC

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other...please explain below

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
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JTR357

JTR357

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I took your recommendations & switched some things around.My favorite has also changed.It was ZDP-189,but that stuff is so damn hard to sharpen,I'm going with S30V as my favorite now.
I'd like to do a poll in a non-stainless,but every time I turn around there's a new carbon steel I've never heard of.With only ten choices it doesn't seem possible.
So what's your favorite stainless in your EDC folding knife.This knife is used in your everyday practices like...opening packages,whittling,cutting string/wire.Judging by toughness,edge holding ability,ease of sharpening & corrosion resistance.

Like last time,just assume all the steels listed have an excellent heat treat.I also combined ATS-34 & 154CM,because although they are made by different manufacturers,they are twins chemically.Also combined ZDP&S90V because they are so similar in hardness,as well as other properties.
Thanks for participating;)
 
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The Top SS's are all very good. I do not have a favorite SS. Fav. steel>A-2.
 
I voted "other" because I really like several different steels....

I like ATS-34, VG-10, and S30V for an EDC knife steel, but I really like H-1 for extremely humid and wet conditions.
 
allenC said:
I voted "other" because I really like several different steels....

I like ATS-34, VG-10, and S30V for an EDC knife steel, but I really like H-1 for extremely humid and wet conditions.
Click to expand...

Then why didn't you vote for H-1?It's practically a miracle steel since it's basically maintenance free & holds a good edge & it's easy to sharpen :)

H-1 would be my second favorite:thumbup:
 
Most of my EDCs have VG10 and only one S30V. I used to have knives with 154CM, 440C, AUS8.
My favorite SS is VG10 with S30V very close second. Both steels are taking nice edge and holding reasonable time.
 
JTR357 said:
Then why didn't you vote for H-1?It's practically a miracle steel since it's basically maintenance free & holds a good edge & it's easy to sharpen :)

H-1 would be my second favorite:thumbup:
Click to expand...
Because when I'm not around water I prefer ATS-34, or VG-10, or S30V over H-1.
As nice as H-1 is, it doesn't hold an edge as well as those others I listed for the same amount of work.
And H-1 really shows scratches and wear much more so than the others.
H-1 is a great steel for water....but not quite as tough as the others IMO.
 
Several of my edc's have S30V so naturally I voted for it. I do want to say though that the CPM D2 on my Kershaw Tyrade is also proving to be a great steel with good sharpness and good edge retention.
 
cutter17 said:
Several of my edc's have S30V so naturally I voted for it. I do want to say though that the CPM D2 on my Kershaw Tyrade is also proving to be a great steel with good sharpness and good edge retention.
Click to expand...

I also like D2.The D2 on my BM710 is exceptional in all the catagories mentioned,but it's not stainless,so wouldn't fit in this poll.
 
I'd also like to add that AUS-8 is the only steel,next to D2,that I can get extremely,hair-popping sharp.So I would catagorize AUS-8 as #1 for the easiest to sharpen & maintain a razor edge,if that were the only factor.
 
Here ya go 5211...read this! Here's a little more...
"ATS-34 - 154-CM
The hottest high-end stainless right now. 154-CM is the original
American version, but for a long time was not manufactured to the high
quality standards knifemakers expect, and so is not used often
anymore. Late-breaking news is that high-quality 154-CM may again be
available. ATS-34 is a Hitachi product that is very, very similar to
154-CM, and is the premier high quality stainless. Normally hardened
to around 60 Rc, it holds an edge very well and is tough enough even
at that high hardness. Not quite as rust resistant as the 400 series
above. Many custom makers use ATS-34, and Spyderco (in their high-end
knives) and Benchmade are among the production companies that use it."

This info was published in 1998......


As for my vote, ZDP189 for me.
 
So far AUS8 and 440C have been my favorites and I have been EDCing a Native for a while now and have used it a lot and would say it is well worth the $50 range. However I do not think I would be willing to pay much more for SV30 than AUS8 and 440C but that is just my tastes and opinion.
 
I picked S30V because that is what the majority of my folders are made of. I also enjoy VG 10 and 440c. AUS 8 was also in there so it was really a tough choice.
 
I marked BG-42, but really only because my favorite EDC folder uses it (A Lightfoot Suppressor). After that, I'd say I like #'s 2-6 & it would really depend on the knife design & maker more than the steel (Within those 5 steels, anyways).
 
I marked other because of D2 (especially CMPD2)!?!
Even though it is a tool steel, I still consider it stainless because it does contain chromium, and does resist rust much better than carbon steel.
As far as technically stainless, I like VG-10 the best.
 
CL01 said:
I marked BG-42, but really only because my favorite EDC folder uses it (A Lightfoot Suppressor). After that, I'd say I like #'s 2-6 & it would really depend on the knife design & maker more than the steel (Within those 5 steels, anyways).
Click to expand...

CL01,
I've heard nothing but good things about BG-42,since I've been on these forums.I've yet to get a blade with it.I really want to get one with it,just to see what it's all about.
How would it compare to S30V or 154CM(which are very close in my opinion & experience),as far as edge retention,ease of sharpening & corrosion resistance goes?Is it much of a noticeable difference?Do you think it would be worth it to me to buy a blade with BG-42,just to satisfy my curiosity?
 
Most of the folders I carry are custom slip joints and are ATS-34. I like the steel. I can use a knife and get it to where it won't shave. A few passes on a loaded strop and it's shaving again. I can't do that with S30V or ZDP-189, although they do hold an edge longer.

I do like VG-10 and BG-42 allot but I don't have many knives in either.
 
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