Question on steels:

Those mentioned above for carbon blades.
ATS-34,440-C, and CPM154 for stainless blades.
 
and the old time standard in Stainless steel 154CM
I've used o1 since 1973
1095 for Machetes and hard use choppers,
also real good for springs in black power arms, it's what Bruce Bump uses in his works of art (to say the least about them..)
and 154CM I started using 154CM about 7 years ago..

CMP154 is powered US.154CM and basically powered Japanese ATS34

5160 or Johndeere JDM5160:)
http://www.knivesby.com/john-deere-control-shaft-steel-JDM5160.html
is a spring steel works good if worked right.

the 10xx's steels are a great steel as said, to start with, soft easy to work forging or by stock grinding, cheap too.

as with all knife steels, it's what you what to do with the knife and your skill level that will or should determine which steel you should use...
I hope this helps :)
 
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