[New and improved] Whats your Favorite Blade Steel (yes Again)

[RamZar]

I posted this a few minutes ago in that other poll but worth repeating here. Also, I agree with others that it's best to gather more data before another such poll.

Due to the 20 options limit for polls on BladeForums you could combine some similar steels. For instance, N690, N690BO, N690CO. Perhaps 154CM & CPM-154 although the latter is powdered. Even ATS-34 and RWL-34 although the latter is powdered. M390, CTS-204P and CPM-20CV are very similar.

I looked at BladeHQ's listing of all steels for all knives and here are some of the most common/popular ones. That's still more than 20 of them so need to chop off some more from this list.

1. 7Cr17 (including 7Cr17MoV)
2. 8Cr13MoV (including 8Cr14MoV)
3. 154CM (including CPM-154)
4. 420 (including 420C, 420HC, 420J1, 420J2)
5. 440 (including 440A, 440C)
6. 1075
7. 1095 (including 1095 Cro-Van, 1095V)
8. A2
9. ATS-34 (including RWL-34)
10. AUS-8 (including AUS-8A)
11. M390 (including CTS-204P, CPM-20CV)
12. N690 (including N690BO, N690Co)
13. CPM-S30V
14. CPM-S35VN
15. CPM-3V
16. CPM-M4
17. CPM-S90V
18. CPM-S110V
19. CTS-XHP
20. D2 (including CPM-D2, K110)
21. Damascus (all types)
22. Elmax
23. Niolox
24. O1
25. PSF27
26. Sandvik 12C27 (including 12C27M, 12C27Mod, 12C27MoV)
27. Sandvik 14C28N
28. Sleipner
29. VG-10
30. ZDP-189

Of the above I'd exclude these:

1. 7Cr17 (including 7Cr17MoV)
2. 420 (including 420C, 420HC, 420J1, 420J2)
3. 1075
4. Niolox
5. PSF27
6. Sandvik 12C27 (including 12C27M, 12C27Mod, 12C27MoV)
7. Sleipner

 

[philllll]

damascus

 

[T.K.C.]

Now that OTHER is a choice, I refer Stellite & Talonite for my blades.

 

[EntrancedVermin]

No matter what i put on the list someone well be upset/mad thats why there is an "other" selection.

 

[craytab]

No matter what i put on the list someone well be upset/mad thats why there is an "other" selection.

No. That is why this and your spyderco polls (all 4) don't make sense.

 

[JR88FAN]

Nice to see 3V on the list....!

390 winning just means there are a lot of people voting who don't like to sharpen....lazy.....!

 

[strategy9]

Not sure how it improved when my favorite (elmax) was removed...?

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

I was hoping for Ebay Paperclip Damascus, but since it wasn't there I went for 52100.

 

[Wowbagger]

M390 resists chipping, cuts / stays very sharp for way longer than my others, takes a high polish (I like polished edge bevels).

Also closely followed by these that you do not list in first preference, second and third.

ZDP-189 can chip but I just love the stuff ! ! ! !
CTS-XHP Tuff and forgiving good all around
440C please old school, plenty good enough, has indescribable positive attributes and I like the "color" of the stuff.

 

[Wowbagger]

390 winning just means there are a lot of people voting who don't like to sharpen....lazy.....!

ha, ha, ha
Thas funny.
Nah I love to sharpen . . . why I have some hobbies just so I can dull cutting edges so I have more stuff to sharpen. I don't even like woodworking but I LOVE sharpening plane blades . . .
etc.,


Why I just work with super hard abrasive wood just so I can sharpen all the more . . .

so there

 

[HelixKing]

I see M390 is winning. I was wondering whats so great about it and what the pros and cons are. I apologize for my ignorance but I have no knowlege of it. I did read wowbaggers info as well.

 

[newdebate]

LiquidMetal.

 

[flowfaster]

What!?!?
No Vanadis 4E???

All jokes aside V4E is beast. I love my ZT0180.

I think all around though M390 and 204P are the best super steels for my needs. It's also pretty clear from the polls that the majority here also think so.

 

[Keyman]

My personal preference is M2

 

[banana-clip]

Lots a good steels in the poll, but Im another one surprised that D2 and Elmax isn't on there.

I'm not too surprised that M390 is number 1 so far, its holds a great edge.

 

[Niddhogg]

INFI all the way. Was a big fan of A2 before I gave Busse a try.
Threads worthless without pics...

 

[rustyrazor]

that's gotta be a record... I think this is the first time that infi has been mentioned and it's the second page. I think the hogs are slipping.

 

[Robdude]

I had a lot of 1095 when I forked it out for a Busse.. that first time out using it was the one time I remember being real surprised at seeing an obvious difference in a steel.. I've been partial to infi and sr101 for a while now..but I still love 1095 or s30v now an then..

 

[Robdude]

that's gotta be a record... I think this is the first time that infi has been mentioned and it's the second page. I think the hogs are slipping.

we're here...we're here... just hung over and late to rise..

 

[craytab]

that's gotta be a record... I think this is the first time that infi has been mentioned and it's the second page. I think the hogs are slipping.

I mentioned it when he did this poll the first time.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-favorite-blade-steel?p=16399683#post16399683