Thanks Larrin for the help in clarifying my quandry. The only correction that I would like to see made by the knife community is a distinction between the term "edge retention" and the term "wear resistance". Edge retention is NOT equal to wear resistance, but it is way too often used interchangeably.
Edge retention includes ALL variables as to why an "edge retains" its sharpness. It not only includes the steel alloy, hardness, heat treatment (fine grain vs coarse grain at the same hardness), edge geometry, toughness, PLUS what is being cut. Edge retention, by definition, is a function of all of those variables. The edge retention of 15V going through SS metal conduit is not the same edge retention as AEB-L, 3V, or 80CrV2 going through the same. Just not happening. By Larrin's own testing, edge retention is NOT wear resistance. But in the same vein, AEB-L, 3V, or 80CrV2 are simply NOT going to have the same edge retention cutting through sisal rope than steels like 10V, 15V, K390 etc. Also, just not happening. Of course I am considering ceteris paribus.
This term that is so often tossed around as "edge retention" is used incorrectly. ALL. OF. THE. TIME. What is meant by "edge retention" in this community 99% of the time is really "wear resistance". And just because a steel might have better "wear resistance", that by no means makes it better in "edge retention". Edge retention is a variable on what is being cut, how it is cut (push cut vs slcing cut), plus all the other variables just listed . The way a steel retains its edge is a variable upon quite a few things, not least of which is "what is being cut", or "what am I expected to use this knife/steel for".
I would say generally speaking, yes, wear resistance does mean more edge retention, but that is not always the case, by any stretch of the imagination, especially when WHAT and HOW is being cut comes into the equation, much less the toughness level of a steel. No one seems to equate "edge retention" when it comes to toughness or apex stability. They always assume more carbide equals better wear resistance (true) equals better edge retention (false).
Larrin, thank you very much for the reply to my question. That, like I said, that second reply makes sense, but it brings up more questions about other alloys that I will try to flesh out here in Shop Talk in the future. I'm under the knife for a bit, no pun intended. But I would love to have more metallurgical discussions here on Shop Talk once I recover, and would love to pick your brain about them. Thank you for all you do for the knife communtiy, Larrin, and Devin T!!!!
Thank you so much!
Shawn, you and I have history, but THANK YOU as well for your contribution. Those photos were a great illustration of what Larrin's response was. Well done, sir.
I know I have ranted a bit, but to simplify. Which pocket knife steel is going to have better "edge retention"? The pocket knife in 61HRC AEB-L that is relatively low in wear resistnace VS the pocket knife in ceramic or cemented carbide? The answer.....depends on waht is being cut, but my money is on the AEB-L pocket knife for every day use. The knife used only in the kitchen to cut meat and veggies? The ceramic or carbide knife.
![UzCG5fV.png[\img]](https://i.imgur.com/UzCG5fV.png[\img])
