Favorite Steel

[BenchCo Spydermade]

Sorry man, I definitely didn't want anyone to feel inferior as I wasn't trying to be superior. I was trying to throw a dose of reality into a thread that could lead a newbie into searching for the highest priced fad steel instead of looking into cheaper alternatives or going to a custom maker. It happened to me going out for an XM18 and being sorely disappointed. I followed the words of fanboys because there weren't many people saying "hold it buddy, this is an overpriced, but quality, knife and you can find something better for cheaper or the same price." A lot of these threads turn into a snobby type of atmosphere and guys trying to learn should at least be made aware of that. For instance, my snob knife will be either CTS-XHP or Vanadis 4E, I'll show it off and brag about it and sharpen and polish it like a madman. But I also realize that I'll probably pull out a boxcutter or prying tool to do the dirty work.

PS,it was refreshing to hear people buck the fads and mention a low cost steel as their favorites. That's some honesty that new people should hear.

thinknotson't really care what people decide to post for. Bragging or being a snob isn't as cool but at the end of the day there's like no one I can talk to about this stuff in person where I live. I know so much more than anyone I've met about knives but here I'm just a beginner. I don't care if I disagree with someone cuz I get to obsess about knives with them even if its an argument.
I guess what I'm saying is i just love all you guys man! Thank you for caring one way or another.
I don't care what ur favorite steel is I just thinknots great we all have one.

Also dont forget owning more expensive knives doesnt mean u love knives more than the next guy, just u got more money. Its impoortant to remember your cheapos are knives that u coveted as a youngun. My first knife was such crap it was rediculas, but dammit I had a pocket knife! Knives are my children and I always love them even when I've learned about knives that are.much more state of the art.

Keep up the nutty knife obsessions!

 

[Gator97]

Dang, 66 HRC? I was asking for it to be at about 62. You think that's shooting too low? Do you happen to know where to get the raw steel? Would you compare it to any other steels?

Depends on the use. For large or hard use bade I figure 62HRC will be preferable. For high performance cutters, at least in my use 66HRC was just fine. We were shooting for 67HRC, but HT components became a problem and we had to settle for 66HRC.
Fred got metal somewhere in Europe, no idea who has it here.
Compare... It seems to be more fine grained compared to 10V, sharpening is a bit easier than 10V at 64HRC, and more difficult than CPM 3V at 62HRC, obviously The edge is quite resilient. Neither wood whittling, nor plastic and small wiring caused chipping.