I Know, Here We Go Again! What’s Your Favorite Steel, Carbon Or Stainless?

I buy the steel that I think will do the best job for me...
Np particular preference
 
I buy a lot of Spyderco. My next favorites are Cold Steel, Victorinox, and David Mary.

I have a lot of M4 that I use, and Cruwear. I really regret not uhhhh, saving my 20CV Yojimbo because I know Microtech runs the M390 a tad below potential and I am very confident in the Spydie treat.

I do not have huge problems with rusting, only in sheaths. Rusted a Vic Executive and a Spydie Dodo in M4 in my pocket protector of leather. Rusted both Cruwear and S45 PM2s overnight in a sheath. Cruwear is pretty stainless. I love the balance.

I just don't have big rust problems. k390 patinas like heck in my pocket all the way to gray but no issues. I like that it is generally easier to sharpen, the tool steels, and tougher. Love my serrated Police 4 and Dragonfly Wharnie in K390.

I am afraid 3V is good but overrated. Sold my SRK in 3V for a Benchmade Puukko in 3V and it just feels more right on the knife.

I do like 12c, 14c, AUS10A, AEB-l, Inox and good old 420HC.. I don't mind simple stainless as long as it's all good. Hate Trusharp. I just want a promise of a good treat so I go with custom makers and Spyderco a lot, or other companies that nailed the steel they work with.

I am absolutely interested in finding out about some low-cost brands that do good stainless. Maybe Euro or South American? Does Joker not use a good 14c28n? What about those big old Mikov switchblades and the fish knives?
 
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Does anyone just collect blank billets of cutlery steel because they like this or that steel?

My favorite knife steel is what makes up the blade on the knife I have in my pocket ot on my belt when I need a knife.

I would love to have one of the CRK folders in whatever is their current production blade steel for that model.

My current EDC, a Leatherman Wave, has blades of D2 I think. It would be nice to have one in a modern high alloy steel, but it really is fine just the way they make it . . .at the price point I can accommodate. . . .but another steel might bring up that price by a good bit.

I have had a few knives in 440C, but that was a while ago and I broke off a few tips. They were Buck 110s back in the 1980s.
 
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