Is it foolish to be a steel snob? (not the BF member)

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dookie1481

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Sep 24, 2009
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I understand intellectually that a steel like 154CM or VG-10 will likely do everything that I need a knife to do. I also understand that things like edge retention and toughness are close enough to "higher end" steels that I will likely not ever see the difference.

So why do I have such a tough time buying anything "below" S30V? Does anyone else feel the same way?

Jay
 
No. :p
I don't like S30V, too hard, PITA to sharpen.
I'd rather choose "softer" that dullens "faster" and sharpen it easier.
 
Same here, up until a few years I was always searching for a better steel because I always felt like edge retention should be better. I finally found what I was looking for with my S90V millie.

So I got on the super steel train tried out as many as I could and ended up with some surprising results. The first thing I realized is that how you sharpen, the stone choice, bevel style, and level of finish can make or break a steels performance. The second was the type of material the steel will be cutting, for example: S30V and VG-10 are often compared in edge retention but are truthfull far from being similar. If you were cutting rope, cardboard, or carpet S30V would be the better choice because of how the edge breaks down and becomes toothy where VG-10 would flatten, roll, and be useless in very short order. On the other hand if you had to clean game I would much rather have VG-10.

And lastly carbon and carbon alloy are still leading the pack, after testing my spyderco mules and seeing the 52100 @ rc 62 spank S90V and hold toe to toe M4 it made me rethink my opinion of super steels.
 
I think we are truly in the clover these days when it comes to steels.

There is a real smorgasboard of great steels out there, and a lot of them are really affordable. The new Ritter Grip in M4 is a case in point.

For $150 (and even less if you are lucky) you can get a super steel right now!

So why settle for less?
 
I agree with what Grinder said. A poor heat treat and profile, can make the best of steel perform like junk. I am not picky about the steel type, but I am picky about how it is treated.
 
Hahah! It's about time there's a thread about me. Don't you know who I think I am? Hahah. And I chose that name jokingly but don't get me wrong I love great steels.

But seriously I'm all about performance and I've been pleased with all sorts of steels like 13c26 to ZDP189. Most recently I've been amazed by CRKs old BG42 knives, eventhough they're not cheap by any means they seemed to out perform the S30V that I've tried. IMO just because a steel is hot at the moment doesn't make it better than the older steels. And yes HT is very important. Look at what Dozier does with D2 or BOS with S30V. Blade geometry matters also.
 
A question please. ok so heat treat is the thing. now are there any knives made by the major companies with premium steels that have bad heat treat? if not then it would stand to follow that premium steels by the major companies always have good heat treat, my noobie speculation.
 
In short, yes. Don't deprive yourself of the chance to try out "lower-end" steels; you might be pleasantly surprised with the pros and cons associated with them.
 
dookie1481 said:
I understand intellectually that a steel like 154CM or VG-10 will likely do everything that I need a knife to do. I also understand that things like edge retention and toughness are close enough to "higher end" steels that I will likely not ever see the difference.

So why do I have such a tough time buying anything "below" S30V? Does anyone else feel the same way?

Jay
Click to expand...

The steels you mention are among my favourites. I have nothing but GREAT experience with them, and I don't rank steels the way you apparently do.
I like S30V, have nothing bad to say about it, but the only knives I have in that steel are all made by companies with a stellar reputation, and so I wouldn't expect anything less, and I wouldn't expect anything less either if the steel had been VG-10, 154CM, 440C, AUS8 or one of the many inexpensive Chinese steels.
It seems to me, if a maker or manufacturer knows what he's doing, the steel may not be unimportant, but most often it's nothing to worry about.

It's just a nice idea to have the steel that is the current hype. In using, I hardly notice any difference.
 
If I'm honest with myself, I really don't push my knives to the performance edge (pun :p) of their steels, so while I like the latest and greatest steel, I really don't need it. I will purchase almost any steel - my buying decisions depend on other factors far more than the steel that is used.

- Mark
 
And lastly carbon and carbon alloy are still leading the pack, after testing my spyderco mules and seeing the 52100 @ rc 62 spank S90V and hold toe to toe M4 it made me rethink my opinion of super steels
Click to expand...

Yep. It's a ball bearing steel, and darn near perfect for it too, one of the best. If you think about it there are some sililarities between what ball bearing steels do, and what we want in our knives. That's why most of them are so highly regarded, including BG42, the stainless version of M50 ball bearing steel.

Still, I always will have a soft spot for the high speed steels too. Something about the edges they take when sharpened just right, not too high, or too low.

I love it sharpened just to the point where you can still barely feel those evil little carbides doing their biting, ripping thing. :D

God I love being a "steel snob" !

Being one doesn't mean I look down on any steel less than .... . IMO, there's no such thing. Steels are just designed to do certain jobs.

I still like some of the old ones the best too. 52100, O-1, W1/2, 1084/5., vascowear Like most of the steels I prefer running them hard as that's where the performance is.
 
I don't get the whole 'steel-snobbery' thing myself, but then, I don't really have to. Whatever makes 'em happy is a-okay by me.

Personally, I'm not too picky about steel. So long as it takes a good edge, holds it through a reasonable amount of work, and above all doesn't chip, it's generally useable in my book.
 
singularity35 said:
A question please. ok so heat treat is the thing. now are there any knives made by the major companies with premium steels that have bad heat treat? if not then it would stand to follow that premium steels by the major companies always have good heat treat, my noobie speculation.
Click to expand...


in general, the major companies/makers will have a more consistent heat treat, but not necessarily better. but there is the possiblity of a batch being improperly treated resulting in questionable performance.

and, the world being imperfect as it is, there may be variations from batch to batch as well.
 
I notice the difference. I can remember taking a 13C26 and H-1 knife with a fresh razor factory edge. After two feet of cardboard, the shaving edge wasn't just gone, it felt smooth and rounded over.

My fully serrated ZDP Endura 4 would at least scrape hair after cutting a hundred feet of cardboard (but that's a serration thing as well, don't expect that out of a plain edge).

My VG-10 knives will cut leather less than half as long as ZDP-189.


That said, I love H-1, and more recently have become more than willing to use 1075 and the like in a blade. Match steel type to task. Everything has its advantages.
 
I agree with the others about the HT & geometry.

My favorite SS is ZDP & my favorite carbon is 3V,but in all reality I'd be ok with 440C & 1095.
 
It might be a little foolish but it's fun. :) I have been disappointed with some softer steels.
 
It gets worse when you have to explain to non-knife people why you're knife costs $200+ and is worth it. :)
 
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