Is there a best overall steel?

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lovemysteel

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Jul 1, 2015
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I am not looking for the toughest or the best edge holding steel. I want a steel that has the best combination of properties. Is there such a thing? So a steel that encompasses good toughness, good edge holding descent corrosion resistance. Good overall strength. like that
 
In a word: No. There are always going to be tradeoffs. Also, the heat treating of the steel has at least as much impact on it's performance as the chemical makeup of the steel. For example, the performance of D2 steel is going to vary greatly from one manufacturer/maker to another because of how well and to what degree it's hardened. Another factor is what the intended usage of the blade is. So, a big chopper is going to have different performance parameters than a fine slicer. You're not going to want a machete to perform the same as a paring knife and vice versa.

Your best bet is to figure out what you want the knife to do and what your budget is and then ask for assistance in finding a knife that'll perform that job for that price. Good luck.
 
Not really, as these properties (toughness vs edge-holding) usually fight each other. Seldom can you get both in one steel. I believe you're locked into a compromise, BUT the compromise is still a fine steel. I would suggest S30V or S35VN, and this steel is very commonly found in many blades.
 
Short answer: No.

Longer Answer: It depends entirely on what you're using the steel for, there's going to be a different 'best steel' for a slipjoint, a chopper, a lawnmower blade and a jackhammer. Which characteristic is most important may be very, very fluid depending on intended use and environment. Even when you narrow all that down a number of people will argue about which particular steel will perform best in that exact set of circumstances.

Simplest Answer: If you don't mind carbon steel, CPM-3V and 4V are stupid-tough, have quite good edge retention and better stain resistance than most carbon. If you prefer stainless look at S35VN or Elmax.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

In my view, almost any modern steel provides the qualities that you are looking for. Even 8Cr13MoV that we find on the entry level Kershaws is an excellent steel. You can find enhanced properties as you move up the food chain (and up in cost), and many guys are into the hunt for the "best" steel. That's not so much anything I am interested in, as long a steel can be easily sharpened, holds a decent edge, doesn't chip or roll easily, and is generally rust resistant. Most modern steels meet these criteria. But you can always find the latest and greatest in steels like CPM 10V in the big Spyderco K2, and there are many other flavors that the steel aficionados dig. Rock on.
 
To echo all the other responses, no. But what's the fun in that?

Personally, for me, my answer would be A2. I've found that it's corrosion resistant enough for my needs and, honestly, everything else about it blows me away. In convinced that (again, for my own needs) this steel has some kind of magical powers or something!
 
VermontEdge said:
To echo all the other responses, no. But what's the fun in that?

Personally, for me, my answer would be A2. I've found that it's corrosion resistant enough for my needs and, honestly, everything else about it blows me away. In convinced that (again, for my own needs) this steel has some kind of magical powers or something!
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This actually kind of gets to the heart of the matter. There absolutely IS a best steel FOR YOU. Finding it can be a real PITA (and very expensive), but the journey is kind of fun. ;)
 
It really depends what you value most as far as characteristics. For me, I don't need a super tough or super edge retaining steel but I do highly value corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening. I am a big fan of Spyderco VG10 and also of CPM154/154CM by Benchmade, these seem to have the best mix of traits that I want in a steel for my EDC knives.
 
IMO CPM-154 is a good jack-of-all-trades steel:thumbup:

I and I thinks Rostafrei might be a little bit better though mon! I and I heard that the best variant of Rostafrei is purple:)
 
lovemysteel said:
I am not looking for the toughest or the best edge holding steel. I want a steel that has the best combination of properties. Is there such a thing? So a steel that encompasses good toughness, good edge holding descent corrosion resistance. Good overall strength. like that
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I would say no there isn't.

Now there are some well balanced steels available in both stainless and non stainless.

CPM 3V, CPM 4V, CPM S30V, CPM S35VN, ELMAX, CPM 154, M390, CPM 20CV and CPM M4.

They can cover a large spectrum of use depending on what is needed.
 
My vote for best all-around would probably be S35VN. That's a great steel right there, and can handle a lot of work while remaining fairly easy to sharpen.
 
M390, cts204p, s110v, s90v, 154cm, elmax, zdp 189, D2

?

I don't know nearly as much as some people but those tend to be talked about the most as really good steal
 
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