Good Steel vs. Exotic Steel.

[Carlos]

Hello everyone,

Spyderco is interested in your preferences in blade steel and the reasons behind those preferences. Here are the full explanations for each polling option:

1. I collect knives primarily for their appearance and rarely use them. The type of blade steel isn't very important to me - AUS6, AUS8, 440A etc. are okay.

2. I collect knives but rarely use them, but I feel that the blade steel is an important part of collector value so I prefer premium performance steels (VG-10, S30V, etc).

3. I am a knife user but I'm usually not willing to pay the premium for exotic steels, and prefer a decent less expensive option. AUS6, AUS8, 440A etc. fulfill my cutlery needs.

4. I am a knife user and a steel snob. I want the latest and greatest exotic steel, with the best edge holding available. The premium for VG-10, S30V, etc. is not a problem.

 

[BlairB]

hey, just my two cents. My Jess Horn clipit with aus-8 steel held
a decent edge and I could sharpen it in less than a minute. I don't want to pay extra for exotic steel that is hard to sharpen. BTW, I sold that knife to a friend and have been kicking myself ever since!
-Don't take that to mean that I'm not willing to pay a lot of money for a quality knife.

 

[calyth]

I don't mind the decent steel as you've defined, but I found the higher grade steels that spyderco is so damn well done that I'd like to continue to see them around.

 

[Burke2]

Aren't all the choices you listed stainless of one variety or another?

 

[Carlos]

Originally posted by Burke2
Aren't all the choices you listed stainless of one variety or another?

Yes, Spyderco only works in stainless.

 

[Burke2]

Originally posted by Carlos


Yes, Spyderco only works in stainless.

Okay, thanks.

 

[payback462]

i think Spyderco should work with both "exotic" and "run of the mill" steels. Spyderco has always been one of the most innovative companies in the cutlery industry, i mean they pioneered the pocket clip and round hole for gods sake!!!
Why shouldnt spyderco explore what they can do with new steels? theyres no arguing that these steels are far superior in terms of durability, edge holding and toughness (albeit sometimes sacrificing ease of sharpening) only by working with these different steels can knifemakers and manufacturers develop new tecniques and processes that will bring us closer to the "ultimate" steel (whatever that is)

thats not to say that spyderco shouldnt work with other more economical steels just because theyre old hat, i have a pro grip LTWT in AUS-8 and its an awesome knife, sure it doesnt hold an edge like my Strider AR, but it is a great knife for the value (as is my AR) some people just dont need, want, or have the budget for premium steels, and thats fine.



As for me Id like to see spyderco do some blades in talonite, maybe in the <3" range, now that would trip my trigger

 

[brembo]

I'd wear socks made outta VG-10 if I could figure how to do it. I buy knives DUE to the steel they are crafted from. My blades get used and abused, with some TLC to bring em back, and I would hate to have to use "decent" grade steel when the cool stuff is avaliable.

So whats the story on the S30V? I've seen a few references to it, but no facts as of yet.

Also, Spyderco ever tinker with that Stellite(sp?)6k stuff? I've seen it in some one-off customs, and the steels properties are intriguing.

 

[tortoise]

Well I voted #4, but I really don't think of myself as a steel snob.

I got my first Spyderco about ten years ago when I knew absolutely nothing about steel (not that I know much more today.)
As time passed, and I bought and used more knives, I began to notice that some worked better than others. Blades that seemed identical to me (size, shape, edge type) would perform dramatically differently. Ah, the steel! Accordingly, I began to develop preferences regarding materials.

Today I agree with Brembo about VG-10 in particular, and blade selection in general. I do use my knives often and I do make choices based on the steel. Quite the contrary though, not to have the "latest and greatest" but to get steels I know will stand up to hard use. I've tried lots of different kinds and have found some "premium" steels that work better than more common "good" steels. So why settle for a lesser material?

In that spirit, I'm the guy not likely to try a new steel until I've seen it succeed in application, largely by following the forums here and at Spyderco. That is, if a new knife was available in VG-10 or a newer, "better" high-speed low-drag steel, I'd buy the VG-10 that I know and trust. But I won't buy that same knife in AUS-6/8 even though they're perfectly adequate steels.

 

[fudo]

I hate to see a good design held back by either bad construction or inferior materials. I hate to think that "this is a good knife, but it could have been a great knife."
My example is the Calypso Jr.- Super design, but a) Micarta handles(good) and AUS6 blade(not Good.); b) VG-10 blade(good), FRN handle (not so good)
Now, both of these knives are good, and I own several of both, but the knife I wanted to buy was a Calypso Jr. with Micarta handles and a VG-10 blade. That knife would not have been good, it would have been great!
Many companies, Spyderco included, build good knives when, with very little extra effort they could be building great knives. BTW-my favorite carry knife-The Calypso, micarta and VG-10.

 

[sherlockbonez]

I would personally like to see maybe a series of higher end spydercos that are made of "decent" steel instead of just premium steel. IE i would love to try the some of the higher end spydercos, namely the ayoob, the mili and the most of all the gunting. However, I don't know how well each design will work for me. Cutting cardboard in the store is not like cutting stuff out in the field, and I'd like to see a slightly cheaper version of those knives just to "try out". If i find that I like the design (which i'm pretty sure i will), then i can "upgrade" and get the one with better steel. However, if i don't like the knife for whatever reason, I still have another knife for the collection.

 

[Grover_Cephas]

Well... I voted for option #4... But that's my preference for <i>me</i>.

My girlfriend loves her Kershaw Blackout (she fell in lovewith the ergos, the look, and the assisted-opening), which is made of AUS-6. She uses it around the deli to cut the packing tape on shipping boxes. It's about six months old and still shaving sharp. Never sharpened.

A buddy of mine fell in love with my Delica, so I got him a Gerber AR 3.0 for Christmas (had to look for a "bargain" knife--t's all I could afford). He uses it to <i>break down</i> the cardboard boxes at his shop. Every once in a while he asks me to sharpen it for him.

For these two people, AUS-6 is all the steel they'll ever need. And hell, if their needs change, they may just decide to upgrade on their own. But without cheap, effective "starter" knives, lots of people would never get into knives in the first place. I know I could never afford to give out VG-10 Delicas as gifts.

Personally, I think Spyderco's commitment to high-quality steels is wonderful, and I hope it continues. But I also think a low-priced AUS-6 FRN Delica would be the greatest thing ever to happen to my Christmas shopping list. Throw in an AUS-6 FRN Native for variety, and things would get a <i>lot</i> pointier around Montclair this December.

So, to sum up, Exotic steels good. But a few low-price-point "starter" or "gift" knives would <i>really</i> be a welcome addition to the line.

 

[Danbo]

It seems that the greater majority of people want the premium steels. I, myself, do not abuse my knives. Still, I want the premium steels(being somewhat of a steelsnob)just in case I do get into a situation of needing extreme edgeholding or strength.

 

[jjcoolay]

I will take premium steel any day. Wiling to pay for the extra costs

 

[calyth]

Grover_Cephas: having a AUS6 Native and Delica would be nice. I think that would be a good idea to introduce a couple of my friends to knives

 

[martin j]

In my work I am constantly using knifes to cutt abrasive materials, scraping piping, wires, digging staples out of wood, etc, it is easy to tell the difference between 'premium" steels and lesser steels. I am happy with AUS8 or 440, but I can see difference in edge holding fairly quick between them and VG10 or other "hi-end" steels.

 

[dsvirsky]

I checked #4, but I'm not really a heavy user; just a guy who's willing to pay for performance. That said, I also really like AUS8 -- sharpens easily, takes a great edge, and holds it reasonably well.

 

[Grover_Cephas]

calyth,

See, that's what I'm sayin'! Low cost, perfectly good steel (Spyderco's AUS-6 ain't nothin' to sneeze at!), and the great design and ergonomics of a spydie!

'S an affordable way to spread the Spydervirus

 

[Blade Santa Cruz]

Just how much price difference are we talking between an AUS-6 and say an S30V blade? I think it's a real waste to have a first-rate design executed in a second-rate steel. Why not get the full potential of performance the knife is capable of. Sure, VW makes some nice cars, but I love my BMW M5!

 

[Joe Talmadge]

For me, I'd much rather Spyderco stick with something like VG-10 as a baseline steel, and keep pushing the envelope on higher-end steels.

Business-wise -- and keep in mind I'm no business guy, and I know it -- I think it's important to have lower-price-point entries, and that probably means some lower-end steels on some entries. Why abandon the entry-level market to Kershaw, CRKT, etc.? In fact, though I'm thrilled that the endura and delica are VG-10 now, since they're two of my all-time favorite knives, I do wonder if that means Spyderco is kind of abandoning the lowest-end of the market, and making their entry knives start brushing up against the mid-market.

Joe