• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Favorite Steel

I would love to try out S90V because right now S30V is my favorite along with Elmax. Also want to pick something up in ZDP-189
 
marcinek said:
Wait for it.......AUS-8. Great combination of price/edge holding/ease of sharpening...the 3 things I look for.
Click to expand...

Torn between AUS8a and S30V, the first for convenience and the second for being able to cut electrical wire without the edge giving a damn
 
My overall favorite is s30v, but I do really enjoy the extreme edge retention of stuff like s90v and zdp-189. The reason s30v is my favorite even though I like the increased edge retention of harder steels better is because s30v has served me very well, I have used it more than any other steel and its kind of my standard of measure for all knife steels. s30v is also much more common than other higher end supersteels so that means its less expenive and im not worried about using and scratching up a $100 knife with s30v like I am using a $220 knife with s90v that is also limited production.
 
I tend to favor harder steels any of the following hardened to 62 rockwell or higher:

Aogami blue super
ZDP-189
YXR7
S110v
M390
 
TheChunk91 said:
My overall favorite is s30v, but I do really enjoy the extreme edge retention of stuff like s90v and zdp-189. The reason s30v is my favorite even though I like the increased edge retention of harder steels better is because s30v has served me very well, I have used it more than any other steel and its kind of my standard of measure for all knife steels. s30v is also much more common than other higher end supersteels so that means its less expenive and im not worried about using and scratching up a $100 knife with s30v like I am using a $220 knife with s90v that is also limited production.
Click to expand...


....unless your S30V knife is a Sebenza,...then it will cost you double what those S90V knives cost.
 
There aren't really any I dislike, they all cut just fine. I think sometimes too big a deal is made about steel and the prices for some are just crazy.
I'm a big fan of carbon steel.. it's tough, gets a nice patina to add character, easy to sharpen in a few swipes and gets a nice edge.
 
Out of all the steels I have in my collection it would have to be O1 and Aogami Super Blue. They both take a great edge and the Super Blue is just so easy to strop back to hair whittling sharp.
 
I have an old Kershaw Boa in 154CM. My Benchmade is 154CM as well. When I get my new Swamp Rat my favorite steel may change but right now 154CM is the clear winner.
 
cpm m4 for sheer edge holding.

super blue for how easily it touches up on ceramics while still holding a great edge.
 
AUS 8, or AUS8A, if you will. Superb value and bang for your buck. Does everything relatively well.
 
As of now I like 3 steels a lot.

Overall, s30v. It just seems to be the best balance of edge retention and sharpening ease to me.

I like zdp-189 for my dragonfly because I want it insanely sharp and the small blade helps with the time it takes to sharpen. I only use it for paper/cardboard opening type stuff so I don't worry it will chip.

14cr28n is my favorite for best bang for your buck. Decent edge retention in my experience and easy to sharpen. I like it much better than aus 8.
 
I've really been liking CTS-XHP, it takes a great edge easily and holds it very well. No chipping issues so far.
 
I have four knives in S30V. One is excellent in edge retention, two are average, and one well I'm quite disappointed in. I've used my Strider SnG a lot and the edge retention is phenomenal. I have a Benchmade 162 and ZT 0350 and they are pretty good. My new Spyderco Nilakka is S30V and after cutting ONE zip tie its dull. WTF?

So, my favorite steels are:
1. CPM M4
2. ZDP-189
3. Strider's S30V
4. D2
5. 154cm
 
Never been a big fan of high alloy powdered stainless like 204P, M390, Elmax etc. I found their edge likely to chip under hard use.

My favorite steel are 1095, 52100, PD-1 and 3V
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top