Pick Your Two Favorite Stainless Steels

JK Knives

JK Knives

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Pick your favorite two stainless knife steels out of the following, and why.

ATS-34
440C
154CM
CPMS30V
CPMS35VN
 
There are already a ton of blade steel discussions here in the forums and everybody has their opinions. A lot has more to do with the manufacturer's heat treatment than with the steel itself. Still, he are my two favoritos:

ELMAX and N690 - High rust and corrosion resistance, resist scratches and wear, can handle a low angle edge, very good edge retention, but not a PITA to sharpen
 
Can't provide an informed response, because I don't really deal with stainless steels much. However, I have 154CM on my Benchmade mini grip, and it's great. I don't baby that knife, and it holds up well.
 
Of the steels you listed there is only one that I would give a "thumbs up" to...S30V. I have a Manix II XL with that steel and I really like it. Not bad to re-sharpen, good edge holding and capable of taking a fine edge. Not a big fan of ATS-34 or 440. Had a Benchmade in 154CM, it was OK (liked my brother-in-law's D2 version of the same knife better). No experience with S35VN but if it's like S30V then it should be good stuff.

I do agree that the heat treat has a lot to do with the performance of the product. I have found many blades made out of 420 to be pretty crappy but I have no issues with a good Buck knife and their version of 420.
 
154CM and the S35VN. From what I understand, the difference between the S30 and S35 is barely noticeable, but since the S35 is supposed to an improvement, I'll go with that. I have small fixed blades in both steels and can't say anything bad about either. 154CM is less expensive I believe, I only have a CUDA folder in 154CM but that thing gets sharp and stays sharp! The only 440C I have and like is an Entrek, and I don't think anyone can treat it as well as Ray Ennis can because it is vastly superior to any 440C I've had in the past. I do have a Buck Strider in ATS-34, but I don't like anything about the way it feels in my hand, so I never use it. Can't offer a valid opinion on it.
 
outdoorsfan said:
Of the steels you listed there is only one that I would give a "thumbs up" to...S30V. I have a Manix II XL with that steel and I really like it. Not bad to re-sharpen, good edge holding and capable of taking a fine edge. Not a big fan of ATS-34 or 440. Had a Benchmade in 154CM, it was OK (liked my brother-in-law's D2 version of the same knife better). No experience with S35VN but if it's like S30V then it should be good stuff.

I do agree that the heat treat has a lot to do with the performance of the product. I have found many blades made out of 420 to be pretty crappy but I have no issues with a good Buck knife and their version of 420.
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After reading up on the S30 series, it looks like the total heat treat process takes around 26 hours?
 
440C and ATS34. 440C is extremely under rated. It has excellent stain resistance as well as edge holding. If heat treated properly it will stand with any steel out there, carbon or stainless. If I were making a knife for myself, it would be 440C, nothing else would be considered. I picked ATS34 because I needed to pick two...
 
tidefan said:
440C is extremely under rated. It has excellent stain resistance as well as edge holding. If heat treated properly it will stand with any steel out there, carbon or stainless. If I were making a knife for myself, it would be 440C, nothing else would be considered.
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I second that notion
Good enough for Randall, good enuf for me
 
HOWEVER!
I don't think that 440C is nearly SEXY or HIP enough, so it is NOT what I would chose to use from a business and marketing standpoint.
So even tho 440C would be my choice for my own knife, it would not be my choice if I was trying to sell knives.
 
For use, I really enjoy S30V/S35VN. At your mention of D2, I would place these as my favorite stainless steels, of those listed.
 
Maybe I should stick to O1 :confused: I planned on ordering the new furnace this week, but don`t want to mess around with the cryo cycle most stainless steels call for.
 
I know very little about stainless steels. My preferred steels are 1095, 52100 (I absolutely love 52100), O1 and D2.
I don't know if it's any harder to heat treat 52100 but it is finally available in bars so you don't have to forge it.
 
protourist said:
I know very little about stainless steels. My preferred steels are 1095, 52100 (I absolutely love 52100), O1 and D2.
I don't know if it's any harder to heat treat 52100 but it is finally available in bars so you don't have to forge it.
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I also am a big fan of 52100, and D2 for that matter.
 
440C is good stuff.
as is D2

I was under the impression that ATS-34 and 154CM were the same steel from different continents -- not to be confused with CPM-154, which is the same chemical makeup but a powder steel, so slightly different in real world applications -- is this incorrect?

I've had good luck with S30V as well -- but it's a more technical HT than 440C and D2.
 
440C & 154CM for me. I have knives in both steels and haven't been disappointed by either of them.
 
I prefer caron steels, 1095 might eb a nice choice, but i like your o1 just fine :)

as for stainless, I only have real experience with ATS-34, 440C and 154CM, all worked well for me.
 
1066vik said:
440C is good stuff.
as is D2

I was under the impression that ATS-34 and 154CM were the same steel from different continents -- not to be confused with CPM-154, which is the same chemical makeup but a powder steel, so slightly different in real world applications -- is this incorrect?

I've had good luck with S30V as well -- but it's a more technical HT than 440C and D2.
Click to expand...

You are correct.
 
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