Most balanced (toughness/wear resistance) steel?

[Lapedog]

^ Yes.

To be honest I don't know if forging these steels would gain anything in the steel. I thought it was already delivered optimally to be heat treated for the best performance.

I could be wrong though.

Someone who didn't know what they were doing could obviously make things worse.

 

[M. Johnwell]

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.

Pretty much the point of cpm steels is that the grain is more uniform from the powder metallurgy.. Forging it would most likely make a comparatively worse blade. Now if you were referring to a higher end heat treat, then I absolutely agree with you. But most Smith’s I’ve talked to were not master heat treaters by comparison to modern methods.

 

[halden.doerge]

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.

Wait, wait, wait. Animals too?? Mind. Blown.

 

[ScooterG]

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.

You should look into 440c. It’s far superior to these “pure” Japanese steels you speak of, especially with its ability to take a great coating to absorb corrosion and other attributes that condem most modern steels.

 

[Mo2]

Mo2 3V same edge retention as s35v? Not saying you are wrong but wheres that coming from?

I would not say exactly the same but close enough. It's from actual testing. Check out Ankersons steel tests or Cedric Ada Gear and outdoors on YouTube.

 

[jpm2]

M4 has better edge retention than 3v, 4v, s35vn, s30, cruwear, and on and on. It's also plenty tough. It's my choice for a rough use blade that keeps its edge.

 

[Wowbagger]

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?)

My oh my this IS a popular thread. I haven't seen things take off like this since they cyber lynched . . . ah . . . well . . . it was an ugly business . . . best forgotten.
Lapedog . . . LOL . . . I don't think I have been a good influence on you.

I too was going to say M4 and 3V . . . if not theeee best certainly very, VERY capable and I would not hesitate to take one of those where ever I was going. Both are at the top of my list; period.

 

[McFeeli]

3V/4V totally slipped my mind. I always thought they were insanely tough steels with just decent edge retention, though.

I haven't played around with either steel so I have no first hand experience, that's just what I've thought. I know people are usually surprised at how good they're able keep an edge.

 

[Lapedog]

Wait, wait, wait. Animals too?? Mind. Blown.

You can only fight animals if you get the master "forged in the fires of mount doom" edition BRK.

 

[Cobalt]

My Sensei told me Rostfrei steel is best steel in world

 

[trevitrace]

Rasta frei! How could I have forgotten about that one?

 

[Cobalt]

Rasta frei! How could I have forgotten about that one?

Rasta Frei is the pronunciation according to my sensei Bob Marley

 

[ScooterG]

Sensei says:

 

[Wowbagger]

This link should help clear up some of the edge retention questions. Not a wide range of edges and materials cut (just rope with toothy edges) but super well thought out and scientifically done by Ankerson with much respect and thanks from us.

LINK <<<<

It is regrettable that 3V only shows up in the first early categorizing when the edges were not fully tested and not necessarily toothy.

As I remember that was because 3V was only available in fat assed blades so far out side the parameters of the rest that it would have been hopeless to try to compare them.

I can assure you that when ground to a more reasonable blade that is within what was tested that 3V takes and holds a fantastic polished edge (even after cutting half way through that big old box staple).
Meet G L O R I A (as in the song)

 

[Cursum Perficio]

Of just the steels I use, I agree with M4 and Cruwear, and for stainless would say Elmax.
Haven't tried 3V yet.
Still lookin' for some of the legendary Rasta Frei too. But I've heard that if you paint it red gold and green the apex can clog though.

 

[ScooterG]

On a serious note, I’ll take the following for a folder for balance of toughness vs edge holding...I’ve had good luck with 20CV too. Carry a fixed blade in 1095+ if you are concerned with toughness.

1. M4
2. Cruwear
3. D2
4. 3V
5. Elmax

 

[Lapedog]

Of just the steels I use, I agree with M4 and Cruwear, and for stainless would say Elmax.
Haven't tried 3V yet.
Still lookin' for some of the legendary Rasta Frei too. But I've heard that if you paint it red gold and green the apex can clog though.

Fool, you are doing it backwards, it's supposed to be green, gold, THEN red! That is the special paint that keeps the edge from losing quarter sized chunks out of the blade when cutting toilet paper.

 

[Cursum Perficio]

See that's what I like about BF, learn sumthin' every time I look in.

 

[Wowbagger]

I always enjoy posting these when the subject comes up :
Of course it’s all done with mirrors but SOME of it seems to be true.

 

[NJBillK]

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.

Though Cruwear and PD1 are closer, I would also put 3V in the same class. I would say that they are close enough to yield comparable results in real world use.

Slightly tougher for 3V but slightly better edge retention in Cruwear and PD1.

That being said, I have seen it stated multiple times that 3Vs edge retention was very close to S30V. Trivial I know, but just stating what others on here have said.