How Far Can "Super Steels" Go?

Fish Boy

Fish Boy

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Aug 2, 2014
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Most of us have all probably heard of "super steels." To that end, many of us have seen how quickly they become "not-so-super." Once upon a time, 154CM was widely touted as a "super steel."

As someone who doesn't know too much about steel, I ask: how far can this go? Ten years from now, will S110V be considered a mediocre blade steel, or will the "super"-ness of steel plateau, resulting in the "best" possible steel metallurgy has to offer?

I'm sure there's a better way to phrase this question but I just don't have the words.
 
Fish Boy said:
Most of us have all probably heard of "super steels." To that end, many of us have seen how quickly they become "not-so-super." Once upon a time, 154CM was widely touted as a "super steel."

As someone who doesn't know too much about steel, I ask: how far can this go? Ten years from now, will S110V be considered a mediocre blade steel, or will the "super"-ness of steel plateau, resulting in the "best" possible steel metallurgy has to offer?

I'm sure there's a better way to phrase this question but I just don't have the words.
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We're technically always on the edge of progress--especially with knives--"edge","knives," get it?! I'm hilarious.

But seriously, yes, I think there will always be the next great "super steel".

I don't worry too much about it or seek them out. I just get what works.
 
Maybe its kinda like silicon chips/CPU's. The limit for improvement will ultimately be the physical limitations of the material used to make them, at a molecular level.
Then a new material to make them from will be needed to see more improvement.
 
That's right ! While the average person still lives in the past , scientists keep finding new worlds.Silicon then germanium then graphene now looking at black phosphorous . All for transistors.
In steel we found exactly what an alloying element does ,in small amounts -- microalloying ! ..Then we find some guy 1-2 thousand years ago was using it without knowing what he had or why it worked but he made the best sword in the world !! Metallurgy rules !!
 
bodog said:
Which part specifically?
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500 cuts through very thick, very dirty cardboard and then still slicing through telephone book paper. I honestly didn't think that was possible and didn't think "steel had become that super". All the pics are in the thread for proof.
 
Clinto. said:
500 cuts through very thick, very dirty cardboard and then still slicing through telephone book paper. I honestly didn't think that was possible and didn't think "steel had become that super". All the pics are in the thread for proof.
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Meh... I could probably dull that thing in 10 minutes at work. Between cardboard covered with concrete, and silt fence caked with rocks and sand, no steel will hold an edge for more than a few cuts.
 
Blues Bender said:
Meh... I could probably dull that thing in 10 minutes at work. Between cardboard covered with concrete, and silt fence caked with rocks and sand, no steel will hold an edge for more than a few cuts.
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I don't mind sharpening, in fact I find it rather therapeutic... but that has to suck. Unless it's not really something you're doing a lot of every day.
 
leghog said:
Yup, do knife steels really need to go farther?
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I'd wager many of the best knife/sword makers of the bronze age asked similar questions several thousand years ago. They asked because they were convinced that what they had at that time was the pinnacle of technology in knife making. And it was.
 
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