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Favorite Steel

northend816

northend816

Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Messages
1,476
So ive been collecting for about year and a half now and Im trying to learn more about the higher end steels. So I was wondering whats the most popular steel out there and why?? So thats my question whats ur favorite steel and why??
 
I like M390, but thats mostly accademic because I'm not a hard user of my knives. I only have 1 knife in M390 due to cost, but I'm always intrigued when I see an knife in that steel. There are quite a few limited edition benchmades in M390 I would like if they weren't $200+.

I also like ZDP-189 spydercos, although they take noticably longer to sharpen.
I like M4 and have a couple knives with that, and have been wanting to get some S90V or S110V, but have yet to snag one in my price range.

To be honest I woukd be perfectly happy with VG-10, 154cm, and S30V, but you asked me about my favorite ;)
I have the most of S30V.
 
My favorite would have to be 14C28N. It's the steel that I can get the sharpest and has held up well in all the uses I've put it through.
 
My collection of differing steels isn't that expansive.

S35VN
S30V
154CM
CPM-D2
CPM-M4
K390

So far, I'm sold on the 154CM and the CPM-M4. The D2 and K390 haven't been through enough use to know much yet.

The S35VN and S30V have both been great, tough to get the edge on at first (maaaaay have been my technique!) but they're good now.

Can't wait for M390 on the ZT801CF (someday!)
 
Carbon steel, because it's easy to sharpen, and the ever changing patina is fun.
 
Out of what I've tried, CPM-D2 and Aogami Super Blue would be at the top of my list.
 
Out of the 10 or so steels I own, have to give the all-around nod to S30V. I can get a keen edge on it and it holds quite a while.
 
CPM-M4, held it's edge after cutting open several soup cans, very impressive. It was on a BM grip BTW...

I've also got a 710 in M390 waiting for me at home, I've heard good things and have been dying to try it, though hopefully I won't be opening any cans of soup with it, but I will if I have to!:D
 
I really like 52-100 in custom knives that is heat treated according to Ed Fowler. It is nice to have the confidence to do almost anything to your knife and know it will come through with flying colors.
 
m390
I've really grown to appreciate the s35vn in my Sebenza 25 though. It's sooooo easy to touch up
 
Wait for it.......AUS-8. Great combination of price/edge holding/ease of sharpening...the 3 things I look for.
 
1095 Cheap effective holds an edge for any task, good strength and toughness, not the "BEST" steel by any measure but a blade made from it can be trusted.
 
I throw my hat in for Stainless: M390. Takes a killer edge, an HOLDS it. Alloy Steel: M4. Takes a fantastic edge and holds it, and pretty tough. Requires more maintenance, but a fair trade off. Tool Steel: 3V. Tough as anything can or needs to be. Gets scary sharp. Holds it plenty well for me. Relatively stain resistant.

You said one....... M4 then. :)
 
I've been liking N690 lately but you can't go wrong with 154cm like on my Hogue EX-04. Might have to try out M390 as it seems to be popular
 
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