Im a sucker for high end steels...

Z

Ztmma

Joined
Oct 9, 2012
Messages
187
Hey guys, I've been really into high end steel fixed blades recently. I was wondering if anyone knew production makers who use elmax/m390/s90v/3v/other top of the line steels. Maybe some custom makers too. I already have something coming from Big Chris, and hopefully some other custom makers as well. I'm well aware that most modern/carbon steels are good enough for 90% of my cutting needs but I really like seeing what these premium steels can do. It doesn't look like Phil Wilson will be taking orders for a long time either.... Thanks :)
 
Bark River has been using 3V for some time. They also use a lot of S35VN. Mike Stewart has gone into length why elsewhere on the net. If you consider Busse production, they use Elmax.

I suspect the reason a lot of, we will call them branded and marketed economy of scale producers, for instance Ka-Bar, don't use a lot of modern steels is because it would put their knives in a higher price point category. That has business ramifications.
 
Survive! knives uses 20-CV and 3V, earlier runs used M390 instead of 20-CV.
Their lineup consists of neckers up to 10" choppers.
 
IIRC Bark River offers some models in 3V, Elmax, S35VN, and 20CV. Not sure which models though, fixed blades aren't really my forte.
 
I'm just waiting for survive knives to come back in stock. I will probably pick up one of those too. Im not really big on folding knives though :(
 
Zero Tolerance has a couple in Elmax, Strider I think has some 3V, and Spyderco's "Tuff" model has 3V. Not sure if any of those have S90V though, besides the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 S90V sprint run, which is insanely expensive.
 
Big Chris does very nice work, I'm sure you'll be pleased :thumbup:

I work a lot in CPM-3V and Elmax; in fact they're my favorite alloys overall.
 
CJZ said:
Zero Tolerance has a couple in Elmax, Strider I think has some 3V, and Spyderco's "Tuff" model has 3V. Not sure if any of those have S90V though, besides the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 S90V sprint run, which is insanely expensive.
Click to expand...

Spyderco just did a sprint of the Manix 2 XL in S90V. And I do mean just, I think there are still some available for preorder at knifeworks.
 
The Spyderco South Fork (Designed by Phil Wilson) uses S90V.

The Spyderco Southard Flipper uses CTS-204P.

I know Microtech plays around with nicer steels but I'm not familiar enough with their line-up to guarantee they still use those.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top