I hate super steels- please reccomend me a manufacturer of super soft steel

colubrid

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Nov 26, 2005
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After so many years ( couple decades) of collecting every make and model of BenchMade, SPyderco, Emerson, high end sebenzas, HInderers, ect ect I am done drinking the koolaid and done trying to sharpen these knives..

I want to go back to my old ways (80's and 90's) when I had a Gerber that would take 5 licks on $6.00 V-sick and would be sharper than a razor....I was happier with having a knife that was alyays hair popping sharp amd took less than 10 seconds to get that way.. I don't need a blade to cut through 20+ cardboard boxes everyday (as if I worked in a warehouse job> I just want a knife I can use and sharpen easy with white ceramic stones (yes one grade does the trick on super soft steels).

...and I kept it that way! - SHARP that is! But is seems my "super" steels are never hair popping sharp.. maintenance is to hard (for my personal use) and they stay dull. I refuse to buy a diamond steel and already invested too much in Spydercos V sticks..So I am done with these high end knives. Gimme simple and old skool steels in quality folders (no wally world brands, gas station brands or flee market brands pleez~) .

So can anyone tell me a few companies that make great, high quality in function and prescion Stainless Steel folders where the money is not all in the super steel and has super soft steel that is easy to sharpen??



So far the only blade I use the most and sharpens the easiest from all the new stuff is Hi steel and Spyderco only makes a couple versions of the Salt series..and that is why they get used the most!

So any suggestions would be appreciated and please I don't need a tutorial on sharpening and stropping or keeping and edge on the hard super steels.. It just does not work for me.
 
After all.this time here, you don't know where to find what you like?

Could this be just an.excuse to get a "super steel discussion" started?
 
Really high hardness hasn't been around in folders or most other knives for decades, nor have "super steels". Actually, I think 440C was super steel back in the day. Kind of sounds like a backwards approach. Rather than learning how to sharpen with either stones, Edge Pro, Wicked Edge, Work Sharp, etc, it's back to the 440A of 1992. There is no shortage of gadgets, trinkets, devices, or instructional methods these days. Good luck in your quest.
 
I think Buck makes some quality folders in good old fashion 420HC with a decent heat treat. And if that doesn't tickle your fancy, I think the revamped Camillus Knives branding has some mysterious no name, non-super-steel blades.
 
I guess CRK is what you're looking for. They intentionally keep their S35 softer for sharpening (and toughness) purposes.

Most of us just PUT UP WITH IT though, while you seem to hold it as a necessary property. Not sure why youd want to go back in time, but I guess its fine if that's what you want to do. But I think you're better off getting some diamond sharpening equipment anyway, simply because they'll sharpen EVERYTHING, regardless of whether it's super or not.


I personally don't find it difficult to maintain higher end steels. Just a couple passes over the sharpmaker fine rods will usually do the trick as long as there's not too much damage.

And I'll agree with the poster that said something about benchmades 154cm. I sharpen my dads mini grip from time to time, and I'm always amazed at how easily it gets NASTY sharp. Great stuff:thumbup:
 
I think the Gerbers I used back in the 80's and early 90's nobody knew what the steel is that they used. The first spydercos were to hard to sharpen.. I remember getting them in their store in Santa Monica Calif when nobdody knew what Spydercos were yet and distribution had not began.

Either way.. I consider the G10, 154cm ect super steels.
 
I think the Gerbers I used back in the 80's and early 90's nobody knew what the steel is that they used. The first spydercos were to hard to sharpen.. I remember getting them in their store in Santa Monica Calif when nobdody knew what Spydercos were yet and distribution had not began.

Either way.. I consider the G10, 154cm ect super steels.

You consider g10 to be a super steel?

Well there's your problem:confused:
 
I guess CRK is what you're looking for. They intentionally keep their S35 softer for sharpening (and toughness) purposes.

Most of us just PUT UP WITH IT though, while you seem to hold it as a necessary property. Not sure why youd want to go back in time, but I guess its fine if that's what you want to do. But I think you're better off getting some diamond sharpening equipment anyway, simply because they'll sharpen EVERYTHING, regardless of whether it's super or not.


I personally don't find it difficult to maintain higher end steels. Just a couple passes over the sharpmaker fine rods will usually do the trick as long as there's not too much damage.

And I'll agree with the poster that said something about benchmades 154cm. I sharpen my dads mini grip from time to time, and I'm always amazed at how easily it gets NASTY sharp. Great stuff:thumbup:



Thanks! I have not given CRK a chance yet.. So I will start looking at them now.

I always went with the higher end popular knives but finally figured I don't need these harder steels and prefer something suer easy to sharpen. Just looking for a brand that is good quality fit and finish.
 
Thanks! I have not given CRK a chance yet.. So I will start looking at them now.

I always went with the higher end popular knives but finally figured I don't need these harder steels and prefer something suer easy to sharpen. Just looking for a brand that is good quality fit and finish.

Wait wait wait......

Didn't your original post say you'd already tried sebenzas?

You do know that sebenzas are.......:confused:
 
Wait, g10 super steel? And you need to try crk even though you already got sebenzas? Please tell me this is a prank/troll post.
 
I agree with colubrid.while super steels are cool to have, they haven't served me in the most efficient way, sharpening wise that is. I have a couple of knives utilizing them super steels, but always end up carrying spyderco tenacious or cold steel voyager. They are easy to sharpen! Few minutes on the sharpening steel (regular steel, not the expensive type), strop it a couple of times, and they are ready to go. Try tenacious or voyager.
 
With minimal effort those knives you mention from the past can be obtained. If unable to find a knife to suit your needs in this day and age then I feel real bad for you. And I mean that as I myself can not get enough of all the market has to offer. Too many knives not enough $ is what I hate most about knives. I also love super steels and wish they were more readily available. In my experience they certainly do not seem as easy to come by in general compared to basic no frills models. Best of luck to finding the one. Turning 1 piece into 2 is a joyful activity indeed, not rocket science.
 
Thats why I like carbon steels. Have you tried Spyderco's Superblue knives? I think aogami superblue is my favorite steel thus far.
 
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