HELP: Need advice on best steel for EDC fixed blade. Have 2 choices.

B

Bennett Richards

Joined
May 22, 2000
Messages
185
I have a choice between A2 Tool steel and CPM 3V for a 3 inch fixed blade EDC, all purpose /defense blade.
Maker is Rich at BlackHeart Knife and tool.

Which should I choose?:confused:

Thanks,

Rich
 
I think 3V is the better choice for most situations, especially if there isn't much price difference. Most production knives in 3V cost more than whatever other steels they are available in.
 
Both are excellent steels and I doubt you could actually tell a difference.

Google "3V vs A2" and you'll find all sorts of responses.

From a custom maker, it all depends on the heat treat that can determine which is "best" for your requirements which could be different for someone else's.
 
I think I would go for the 3V
A2 is very good but as far as I understand it 3V is superior to A2
However if not for some hard use, I think that both will perform well at EDC tasks


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk
 
3V
Has been goooooood to me.

Love the stuff . . . so far . . .

PS:
I have a whole lot of experience with A2 but only for high end wood working in very hard wood. It's good but I would like to try some 3v for the same use. Far as I know (haven't checked in years) 3V is not an option for hand plane blades. Just for the sake of info the A2 blades were $55 to $60 each many years ago. Easily took a mirror edge and hair whittling. 3V takes at least as good of an edge and keeps it longer.
 
This thread needs some photos :

3V
The knives . . .

(the A2 hand plane blades cut the surface of this purple heart (very hard tough wood) work bench to a glass smooth surface (no sand paper required)






A2
These are all A2 steel woodworking hand plane blades; think of this stack as my quiver/amo clip what have you.



I mean look at that A2 go to town and this is even harder weirder wood than the purple heart.



 
S35VN or Elmax should be the better steel option for small EDC blade. Corrosion resistance is far more importance than the excessive toughness of tool steel for this task.

Edit. Just noticed you have only 2 choice then 3V all the way.
 
Last edited:
With all this hard work we've been putting in here . . . typing and posting . . . posting and typing . . . to coin a Mell Brooks quote (while moving his head side to side; that was important) : WORK, Work, work, work,work . .
I think you owe us a little something in return.

Any way . . . all debts are paid if you post photos of your new knife . . .promise ?
 
Wowbagger said:
With all this hard work we've been putting in here . . . typing and posting . . . posting and typing . . . to coin a Mell Brooks quote (while moving his head side to side; that was important) : WORK, Work, work, work,work . .
I think you owe us a little something in return.

Any way . . . all debts are paid if you post photos of your new knife . . .promise ?
Click to expand...

You bet... and I will throw in some shots of my Kimber Stainless Compact Series I that Walter Birdsong himself coated for me in Black and Green T.

I am torn between these two knives:

http://www.pictaram.com/media/1248857147380197208_627894984 ( MiniGunner A2 steel )

http://www.pictaram.com/media/1245914747225629914_627894984 ( Pike CPM 3V steel)
 
Last edited:
Bark River uses a lot of A2. Even CRK used A2 for his survival knives. Good steel.
SurviveKnives, relatively new company...less than ten yrs old, but VERY successful, uses a lot of 3V. The CEO, Guy Seifeld, made a great YT video showing the strength and edge characteristics of this great steel.
Both are great steels. I had one knife in A2. I've had four SurviveKnives in CPM-3V.
Guy runs his heat-treats on 3v into the low 60's and there is edge-holding along with great strength. Blade sizes from 3" on up,,
 
Both are great steels. But, I have to give it to 3V. I have it in blades from a 3 inch folder, all the way up to a 22 inch slimline machete. It can take a hell of a beating, gets super sharp, very easy to sharpen, and good corrosion resistance. Great all around steel! Some days I spend over 2 hours of continuous chopping of dried bamboo and blackberries, it holds up like a champ!

You are not using it for those tasks, so I will just say I love my smaller blades made of 3V just as much. Great for any size blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top