Favorite Steel

If I'm lucky, I may get the new Caly 3.5 in Super Blue; I've heard many good things about that steel.
 
I actually like S30V a lot. In my uses, it holds an edge for a long time. But then again, I don't ever let 'em get dull. I also really like VG10; takes a wicked sharp edge.
 
If I could only choose one it would be 1095. If I could choose two, a second would be difficult to pick, but would definitely be some sort of stainless along the lines of VG-10 or so.
 
SR101 for a carbon, 154CM for a SS. I'm about to buy a piece in CPM 3V and I'm hoping that becomes my new favorite.

Isn't there some sword company that has a magic steel? Like meteorites in the alloy and quenched in a mixture of dragon's blood and the tears of virgins? What am I thinking of here? Was it called "living steel" or something? Haven't tried that one, yet, who knows it might totally destroy SR101, but until then.... the rat's teeth have me impressed the most.
 
My current favorites are CPM-M4 and VG-10, and I carry both daily. I like the fine edges they hold.

By contrast, I do not like S##V (i.e. S30V, S90V, etc) because I prefer a "fine" edge to an aggressive "working" edge.

Pure preference....as you can see, there are MANY that do not feel the same way I do;)
 
I've had that exact conversation here before, Unit. No doubt about it, the higher the numbers get, the more aggressive the blade gets. That's why I like S30V. It's a nice compromise. It also depends on what you're using the knife for. This isn't PracTac, so I don't really want to go there, but for a knife that's purely for self-defense, aggressive is a good thing.
 
Samael said:
I've had that exact conversation here before, Unit. No doubt about it, the higher the numbers get, the more aggressive the blade gets. That's why I like S30V. It's a nice compromise. It also depends on what you're using the knife for. This isn't PracTac, so I don't really want to go there, but for a knife that's purely for self-defense, aggressive is a good thing.
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Agreed. I rely on my shoes more than my steel for SD;)

My preferences are geared toward my uses...which are about 90% wood processing and 10% package opening (and I appreciate low effort for handle pressure when opening a package with my preferred push cut style). For wood processing it is nice to have a fine edge that gives a really nice clean cut (my processing is not always for fire starting;))

 
SR-101 and 1095 is pretty even for me regarding fixed blades. At the moment I am digging RWL-34. At 62 HRC it sharpens easy takes a wicked edge and holds it, takes polished edge nicely and it has a fine grain structure. Other then that D2 and S30V are good in my book.
 
My recent folder purchases have s35vn, Elmax, and cpm3v. Cpm3v is my favorite with s30v edge retantion twice the toughness of cpm m4 as well as twice the chromium of m4... care for it properly because the only downside is that if it rusts a bit on the surface its worse underneath. Nothing a wipe down from a maine tuf cloth won't help with
 
I guess I am more of a low tech kinda of guy. I like steels that I can get really sharp without a lot of effort. Sometimes I enjoy sharpeining so I dont mind having to do a little on a regular basis. On the other hand I dont like to spend a long time on a single knive with hard steel. So I like 1095, AUS-8, VG-10, and I am trying to decide if I like S30V and 8Cr1MoV .
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cutter17 said:
I have several folders that are made from 154CM. I've always liked this steel as an all around steel. It takes a good edge, holds it well, and resharpens easily. Works for me.
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+1 on this. I have VG-10, S30v, AUS8 (hate this steel), etc. Very good edge retention, durable and sharpens to a wicked edge. Favorite is Crucible's 154 version.
 
I like the Duratech 20CV and CTS-XHP on my XM-18's a lot!! I have the S35VN on 2 Sebenzas and it's really soft even at the proper hardness of 58-60 RC - better to have stayed with the very rugged S30V IMHO.

I have the S35VN on my new XM-24 and after seeing it's less than stellar behavior on the Sebenzas, I'm a little paranoind of using it as Hard as my XM-18 with the 20CV blade which is my EDC and a very tough, hard use steel in the Hinderer 3.5 inch blade.

Also love S30V and D2 :)
 
This might sound like a newbie question, but what is damascus steel and why is it so expensive?
 
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