Favorite Steels For Folder & Fixed Blades?

[Ulf Krogstad]

Well I'm sure a thread like this has been done before but was hoping could get some opinions and preferances on knife steels. What's your favorite steel for a folder? What's for favorite steel for a fixed blade? And if you feel like it please list your favorite folder and fixed knife. Please explain why they are your preferred steel or knife. Haven't been able to test out a whole lot of steels as I don't have an insane pile of variety in steels or knives cause haven't been coveting blades for all that long. I really only have one or two knives for every situation and that's really all I need but I like to constantly upgrade when I think one might be better than another. My favorite steels so far for fixed is Buck Punk 5160 and folder is BM Adamas d2.

 

[K.O.D.]

Fixed? Probably 1095. Folder? CTS-XHP

 

[farokhsidhwa]

Fixed (for toughness): 3V
Fixed (for edge retention): k390

For folders I like m390/CTS 204p/20CV if I want all around balance of toughness and edge retention, although I also love my Elmax

 

[Firestrike]

Fixed blade = Infi or 1095

Folder =Aus8 is unbeatable for the price, Infi isn't available yet, I hate S30V, 154cm isn't bad, would love to try Elmax.

 

[HwangJino]

Folder - cts 204p
Fixed - 1095

 

[truth-seeker]

Fixed - 1095
Folder- VG-10

 

[Strong-Dog]

Any: CPM-M4

 

[northend816]

Folders- S30V and Elmax
Fixed- 3V
Buy what you like everyone will have their own fav

 

[AntDog]

Fixed - INFI or A2
Folder - VG10

 

[Accelerator]

Fixed - 1095
Folder - CTS-204P or M4

 

[bladeboss]

I like 1095 for fixed and S35VN or VG-10 equally for folder.

 

[Markesharp]

I like 1095 for fixed and S30V for modern folders. 1095 for traditional folders.

 

[bld522]

52100 for fixed. No particular favorite for folders, but I like RWL34, VG10, D2, ZDP189, CPM154, S30V, S35VN, M390 and Elmax to name a few.

 

[Ace Krampus]

1095 for fixed, 14c28n or Case CV for folders. But then, I haven't used THAT many steels.

 

[ericvar101]

Fixed - INFI
Folder - M390

 

[Ulf Krogstad]

Fixed blade = Infi or 1095

Folder =Aus8 is unbeatable for the price, Infi isn't available yet, I hate S30V, 154cm isn't bad, would love to try Elmax.[/QUOT

Also a fan of Aus-8 most my folders are cheap-o's and are Aus-8 and love em recon 1, junglee,kabar mule,Utilitac II. I gotta ask why you don't like s30v cause I always hear people praise it?

 

[Ulf Krogstad]

I see lots of you saying you like 1095 best for fixed. Is that a price thing or is there some reason it would be a favorite as too 3V, A2 or 52100 cause those have been the steels I've been eyeballing for a new fixed knife.

 

[Captain Howdy]

Fixed: undecided
Folder: 154 cm/ vg10

 

[knifeguy101]

Fixed: INFI or SR101
Folder: Elmax

 

[Ace Krampus]

I see lots of you saying you like 1095 best for fixed. Is that a price thing or is there some reason it would be a favorite as too 3V, A2 or 52100 cause those have been the steels I've been eyeballing for a new fixed knife.

Combination of price and familiarity, I imagine.