Most balanced (toughness/wear resistance) steel?

Dr Rez

Dr Rez

Pisser of the Couch
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Which steel would you consider the most balanced overall? I am not concerned with corrosion resistance.

Again I only am refering to toughness and wear resistance. Obviously everything is a comprimise but what steel would you feel confident in staying sharp long enough while also not being afraid of chips and such?
 
The best steel is High carbon steel forged by a skillful master. To pick a steel, i think the Japanese white steel, with purity in its chemical composition, is the best steel you can ever dream of.
 
M4 and CruWear come to mind. M4 has a bit more wear resistance while CruWear is tougher.

CruWear is well known to have great wear resistance, great toughness, and decent corrosion resistance. One of the very few steels that has good marks in all three categories. Specific heat treats will cause different results though, of course. You can make CruWear super tough(lower HRC), or take the hardness up to increase the wear resistance. Someone else may be able to elaborate more on the details.
 
peleton blade said:
The best steel is High carbon steel forged by a skillful master. To pick a steel, i think the Japanese white steel, with purity in its chemical composition, is the best steel you can ever dream of.
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Yeah dude, I always get my master to forge my blade inside an active volcano. Not alot of smiths know this but if you forge the blade facing magnetic north it will help align the grain structure to lead to a better steel.

That is why it is so important a master forges your sword. An amature will not know these things.

(In all seriousness white steel is nice, but not at all what I would pick if I had to rank a good balance between edge holding and toughness each at as high levels as possible. M4 comes to mind. 3v comes to mind too depending on what task you are doing with the knife. Does anyone know if m4 is still standard at blade sports competition?)
 
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Would M4 hypothetically be a good choice for a small 4 5 inch fixed blade that would have to baton if needed ( i would never need to just saying hypothetically!)
 
yes, you can ask any good blacksmith, the question is : it is not about the steel, it is about the skill and efforts of the guy who forge the blade.
 
Dr Rez said:
Would M4 hypothetically be a good choice for a small 4 5 inch fixed blade that would have to baton if needed ( i would never need to just saying hypothetically!)
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It would probably be one of the best choices for a small fixed blade that will do tasks other than just cutting. 3v is supposed to be amazing too, though I have not tried it.
 
Lapedog Lapedog I had the same question about blade sports. Seems like I've seen some newer stuff being tried. 4V maybe?
 
McFeeli said:
M4 and CruWear come to mind. M4 has a bit more wear resistance while CruWear is tougher.

CruWear is well known to have great wear resistance, great toughness, and decent corrosion resistance. One of the very few steels that has good marks in all three categories. Specific heat treats will cause different results though, of course. You can make CruWear super tough(lower HRC), or take the hardness up to increase the wear resistance. Someone else may be able to elaborate more on the details.
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Bingo, took the words out of my mouth.

Well, I was going to say Cruwear (so toss in 3V and PD1), but M4 is right up there too.
 
3v and close 4v

4v a lil more edge retention and a lil less toughness.

3v edge retention is about that of s35vn but extremely tough. Anything tougher is gonna be carbon steel that's gonna be much lower edge retention. They both have more toughness than M4 and cruware. M4 n cruware also have less edge retention. But then again that all depends on the heat treatment and geometry and all. But that's what I remember.
 
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Yes, i believe because they spend their whole life in knife making. They make good knives in order to make a living.
Talking about CPM cru-wear, the steel is really really good. I have a barkriver wilderness explorer in cru wear, it is
scary shape and tough enough to do all kind of works in the bush. and you can use it as a weapon to fight off animals too.
You know how good the knife is if you own one. the only draw back is the handle is too slippery when your hand get wet or bloody.
 
peleton blade said:
Yes, i believe because they spend their whole life in knife making. They make good knives in order to make a living.
Talking about CPM cru-wear, the steel is really really good. I have a barkriver wilderness explorer in cru wear, it is
scary shape and tough enough to do all kind of works in the bush. and you can use it as a weapon to fight off animals too.
You know how good the knife is if you own one. the only draw back is the handle is too slippery when your hand get wet or bloody.
Click to expand...

Would it surprise you to learn Bark River CPM Cru-Wear knives are not forged at all?
 
If this steel laids in the hands of a master blacksmith, it could be even better. But i think barkriver already drew 90% potential out of it.
 
Mo2 Mo2 3V same edge retention as s35v? Not saying you are wrong but wheres that coming from?
 
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