n00b question: kershaw R.A.M.

[din]

I'm feeling too lazy to search, so I'm asking yinz. how good is the steel (what's comparable) and what's the difference in the steel used in the satin blade vs. the coated blade?

 

[Flashpoint]

I'm feeling too lazy to search, so I'm asking yinz. how good is the steel (what's comparable) and what's the difference in the steel used in the satin blade vs. the coated blade?

The steel is a razor steel and takes an edge like one and keeps it. I like it better then AUS8 and would put it just under VG-10. The black blade is the same as the satin one, just more tactical. That and the coating will help it resist corrosion, which is one way VG-10 has a leg up.

 

[Joshua J.]

It may be more of a trivial point than practical, but the coated R.A.M. seems to have 14C28N, rather than 13C26 as on the satin model.
For those wondering why the change, Kershaw has been slowly switching from 13C26 to 14C28N as their flagship steel type. Kershaw and/or retail outlets haven't run out of 13C26 quite yet, so only new models are readily available in 14C28N.
14C28N is slightly more wear resistant and corrosion resistant (all around very nice steel).