Official 2018 BF Knife: Poll 2/8: Blade Steel

Blade Steel

  • 420HC - Blade Stamp OKAY

    Votes: 3 1.0%

  • 440C - Blade Stamp OKAY

    Votes: 12 3.9%

  • CPM-154 - Blade Stamp OKAY

    Votes: 231 74.3%

  • D2 - Blade Stamp NOT okay. Laser Etching OKAY

    Votes: 14 4.5%

  • S30V - Blade Stamp NOT okay. Laser Etching OKAY

    Votes: 6 1.9%

  • S35VN - Blade Stamp NOT okay. Laser Etching OKAY

    Votes: 2 0.6%

  • CPM20CV - Blade Stamp NOT okay. Laser Etching OKAY

    Votes: 43 13.8%
  • Total voters
    311
  • Poll closed .
All the steels would be good but for me I like the idea of having it stamped and 420HC is the plain jane for Buck great steel but why should the forum knife be plain jane so CPM-154 is best option under that logic.
 
rswanson said:
What?! But how can we expect it to hold up to batoning?

While a 20CV slipjoint is pretty intriguing, CPM-154 is sufficient for anything I can imagine using a traditional pocket knife for. Also like the stamp option.

Also, laser-engraved super steel just doesn't scream Traditional Forum knife to me.
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All things being equal, CPM154 will have higher toughness than CPM20CV, so it actually will stand up to batoning better.

CPM20CV will have higher edge retention and abrasion resistance than all of the alloys listed above or below, but you need diamonds or SiC to cut it.

I have heard CPM154 referred to as being similar to a "Stainless O1", but I have also heard that said about AEB-L.

(Below is strictly AEB-L vs CPM154 since both have been referred to as akin to a stainless O1.)
AEB-L is a "cleaner" alloy than CPM154, and due to this (AEB-L) will take a keener edge and hold its keener edge longer than CPM154, but hold a working edge for less time as well as dropping off more suddenly.
- Easier sharpening, keener edge for longer, less working edge retention, good toughness (should be comparable, given comparable hardness and geometry, if anything, the nod goes to AEB-L) = AEB-L
- Longer edge retention, higher carbide content grants a higher abrasive wear resistance, loves a toothy edge (400 grit), good toughness = CPM154

How you would like to extrapolate that out to compare against O1 is up to you, I am just giving information.
 
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CPM-154 seemed to be the most sensible option and seems like most others feel the same way.
 
gunstockjack said:
I think the tang stamp is really important here...
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tmd_87 said:
EXACTLY! Just echoing Barry here, it is an important part of the tradition....
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I'm surprised that steels that won't take the BF tang stamp are even being given as an option :confused: Without the tang stamp it won't be the forum knife o_O

Personally, I voted 440c, I thought Buck did it well back in the day :) And I'm old enough to remember when it was considered THE "super steel"! ;) I like D2, but it seems it won't take the stamp. A shame there's no carbon option! :p
 
I went with CPM 154 because I want the tang stamp. That's the tradition of this traditional. And I'm not set up to sharpen anything much tougher than it. The cost of the knife for me will go up if I have to buy stuff to sharpen it with. I know, I know....that is just ignorant old timer thinking:D:D
For me it's all about the tang stamp.
 
NJBillK said:
CPM20CV will have higher edge retention and abrasion resistance than all of the alloys listed above or below, but you need diamonds or SiC to cut it.
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Another solid reason (and maybe the best one outside of retaining the tang stamp) to go with 154. I don't guess so many slipjoint lovers are into the process of sharpening high carbide alloys like 20CV. One of the reasons I like my 1095 Traditional knives so much is that they sharpen so easily. It's such a breeze, in fact, that I don't find the reduced edge retention over a tool steel in a 3" blade to be that big of a deal.
 
rswanson said:
Another solid reason (and maybe the best one outside of retaining the tang stamp) to go with 154. I don't guess so many slipjoint lovers are into the process of sharpening high carbide alloys like 20CV. One of the reasons I like my 1095 Traditional knives so much is that they sharpen so easily. It's such a breeze, in fact, that I don't find the reduced edge retention over a tool steel in a 3" blade to be that big of a deal.
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I agree to an extent.
The one argument that can be made is that the smaller the blade length, the more use of added edge retention you will benefit from, since you will be cutting with the same area more frequently than not.
- On a 6" bladed camp knife, you can selectively use the belly, heel, or any place in between much more easily than on a peanut... Due to the size, a Peanut in 20CV would be a breeze to sharpen with a DMT Diafold, and the added edge retention and Very highly stain resistant alloys like M390/20CV/204P would be fantastic. Especially when considering that high toughness is less important on a knife that small, and dare I say, delicate.

That being said, this sized blade combo, I would like to have a more even balance to the attributes than 20CV offers. I have seen 20CV chip due to lateral loads that CPM154 would have survived. Nothing significant, a slight curve when notching a piece of wood while in camp chatting with buds and the edge had a few small chips that required sharpening to remove/repair.

My vote is for CPM154. Though it may be considered a bit vanilla, it is a fantastic steel for an EDC option, be it a folder or fixed blade.

I am just curious if we could get a targeted HRC range?
skblades skblades , is this possible?
 
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NJBillK said:
I agree to an extent.
The one argument that can be made is that the smaller the blade length, the more use of added edge retention you will benefit from, since you will be cutting with the same area more frequently than not.
- On a 6" bladed camp knife, you can selectively use the belly, heel, or any place in between much more easily than on a peanut... Due to the size, a Peanut in 20CV would be a breeze to sharpen with a DMT Diafold, and the added edge retention and Very highly stain resistant alloys like M390/20CV/204P would be fantastic. Especially when considering that high toughness is less important on a knife that small, and dare I say, delicate.

That being said, this sized blade combo, I would like to have a more even balance to the attributes than 20CV offers. I have seen 20CV chip due to lateral loads that CPM154 would have survived. Nothing significant, a slight curve when notching a piece of wood while in camp chatting with buds and the edge had a few small chips that required sharpening to remove/repair.

That being said, my vote is for CPM154. Though it may be considered a bit vanilla, it is a fantastic steel for an EDC option, be it a folder or fixed blade.

I am just curious if we could get a targeted HRC range?
skblades skblades , is this possible?
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I don't use my slipjoints on a construction site. The 90 or so seconds that it takes me to strop my carbon steel knife a few times a week isn't even a bother. I can do it while I brush my teeth. Heck, it took me longer to type this post!

I would like to hear RC details on the steels, though.
 
I think pricing for these options would be helpful. People should know if they are building a $90 knife or $150 knife.
 
I'll go with the majority. Much as I like 20CV, it's a Stockman. CPM-154 is a huge improvement over the standard steels.
 
This one looks like a no-brainer! Close the polls, move along, nothing to see here! ;)
 
Man alive. The thought of a 20CV stockman is so forking cool. I voted for it for no other reason than personal fantasy. :p

It's like somebody offering you a Mercedes CLK ... or a Volkswagen Rabbit for a $20 discount. I'm surrounded by VW driving cheap-skates! :D :D

All kidding aside Cpm154 is my second choice.
 
jrawk said:
Man alive. The thought of a 20CV stockman is so forking cool. I voted for it for no other reason than personal fantasy. :p

It's like somebody offering you a Mercedes CLK ... or a Volkswagen Rabbit for a $20 discount. I'm surrounded by VW driving cheap-skates! :D :D

All kidding aside Cpm154 is my second choice.
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Actually, I'm so cheap I ride a bicycle or adult tricycle. :)
I decided way back in 19 and 94 that gas, insurance, registration, parking, maintenance ... all cost too much, and sold my car. :)
 
jrawk said:
Man alive. The thought of a 20CV stockman is so forking cool. I voted for it for no other reason than personal fantasy. :p

It's like somebody offering you a Mercedes CLK ... or a Volkswagen Rabbit for a $20 discount. I'm surrounded by VW driving cheap-skates! :D :D

All kidding aside Cpm154 is my second choice.
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While it's apparent what the outcome of this poll will be (unless there are a ton of slipjoint afficianados who love very modern super steels who have yet to vote ....hm..) I can totally understand your viewpoint. Its like fried snickers bars at the county fair. It's just gotta be awesome, right?! And, they do taste damn good for four or five bites.
 
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