If the edge retention is as similar to CPM-154 as you say it is, then I would have no problem with it at all. I don't personally need anything that lasts longer, and the benefits of the increased corrosion resistance far outweigh the slight decrease in edge retention compared to other super stainlesses. This steel looks like H-1 with better-than-s30v-edge retention, which in my books is a HUGE WIN:thumbup:
Yeah, but it depends on how they heat treat it, and like I said, that is not an easy process (from my understanding). I have never had a single complaint about any of the steels I have seen and handled from Olamic, and neither has anyone else from my experience, so I doubt it will be an issue for them
The sample of Z-Finit I handled was right at 60rc, and CPM-154 was the closets thing I could think of in terms of edge retention. Z-Finit seems to like a finer edge overall than most steels do as well. It held a nearly completely polished edge that I had put on it to test better than most other steels would have, likely because of the very small carbide size and the shear number of carbides in the steel.
Whereas steels like S90V would work much better with a fine tooth on the edge (up to maybe a 1000 grit at most on the edge), Z-Finit seemed fine with even a nearly mirrored edge, and a virtually smooth bevel apex, which is very unusual for super steels. Most of them hold a very slightly toothy edge better than they will a fully polished edge.
It's really interesting stuff, and I'm glad it is finally getting into the market more. I wills say that Vanax is probably still an improvement over Z-Finit, since it will usually have better edge retention (and better carbide formation since it has more Vanadium) without losing enough corrosion resistance for anyone to ever know the difference, so I really hope Olamic makes a folder in Vanax.
Not too hopeful since it seems rather hard for anyone to get their hands on that steel right now though.
Great sig line.
