Recommend me a steel choice please.

M

Mrbladedude

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Aug 2, 2010
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Small fixed blade no smaller than the IZULA and no bigger than the Fallkniven F1. Uncoated blade.
Knife will be used for bushcraft work and as a hunting knife. Tentpegs, dressing game, maybe cleaning fish. Etc

Knife will NOT be used for : Splitting wood, chopping, EDC

I like 1095 but for a small-medium sized fixed blade that isnt going to see heavy use, I would like a great possible stainless steel or a tool steel with better rust resistance than 1095. Looking mainly for edge retention here.

Micarta or wood handles would be nice.

Thanks
Price range $200 MAX
edit.

What has better edge retention: M4 , S90V , 3G , INFI?
 
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When I make smaller belt knives, I like 1080. It works easy, it can produce some really nice hamons, and it has good edge retention if treated right.

I'm actually working on a knife out of it right now, you can see the wip thread I'm doing here
 
I sincerely doubt you'll find S90V or INFI in the $200 price range. If you could consider stretching it a bit, I believe a Dozier Buffalo River Hunter in micarta will run about $215(though there is a 3-4 month waiting period). His D2 has outstanding edge retention. I've been trimming onions with it for a while(which has quite a bit of loose dirt), and while most blades seem to micro-chip and get dulled quickly, I swear the D2 seems to either self-sharpen or fracture in a way that the edge can still cut aggressively.

Another option would be one of the Linder Powderit II Hunter models, which should run about $175. The handle design didn't speak to me, but the blade appears to be high flat ground with Bohler's M390 premium stainless steel. You can think of M390 as stainless M4 or S30V on steroids. It's only a small step down from S90V(and good luck getting your hands on that), and has better overall qualities(ease of sharpening, toughness, corrosion resistance). I love the steel in my folders, and I'm expecting a custom fixed blade in the steel(though I suspect you wouldn't want to shell out $400+ for one).
 
In that case I'd say CTS-XHP (found in some of BRKT's offerings) Good ol S30V or S35VN (won't be a noticeable difference), VG-10 (Fallknivens), Fallknivens 3G which is Super Gold powder steel, can be found in the F1 3G for around $180 if you look hard enough. Of those stainless steels XHP or 3G will hold an edge the longest (M390 would also probably be great, but I've never seen it offered in a fixed blade). If going the carbon steel route, CPM-M4 will hold an edge the longest and still has good corrosion resistance for a carbon steel, CPM-3V would be good, (much tougher than S30V, and will hold edge longer, but not a stainless). 52100 (SR101) as offered by swamprat would be a great edge holding steel, but you gotta worry about the corrosion issue a little more, though most of their offerings are coated which means you only have the small amount of edge, the current offering "rodent solution" would be a great one, 3.5 in blade, great steel and warranty, your choice in color scheme, but probably won't be around much longer.
 
michaelm466 said:
In that case I'd say CTS-XHP (found in some of BRKT's offerings) Good ol S30V or S35VN (won't be a noticeable difference), VG-10 (Fallknivens), Fallknivens 3G which is Super Gold powder steel, can be found in the F1 3G for around $180 if you look hard enough. Of those stainless steels XHP or 3G will hold an edge the longest (M390 would also probably be great, but I've never seen it offered in a fixed blade). If going the carbon steel route, CPM-M4 will hold an edge the longest and still has good corrosion resistance for a carbon steel, CPM-3V would be good, (much tougher than S30V, and will hold edge longer, but not a stainless). 52100 (SR101) as offered by swamprat would be a great edge holding steel, but you gotta worry about the corrosion issue a little more, though most of their offerings are coated which means you only have the small amount of edge, the current offering "rodent solution" would be a great one, 3.5 in blade, great steel and warranty, your choice in color scheme, but probably won't be around much longer.
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Would you say M4 has better edge retention than 3G
 
Almost forgot CPM-154, BRKT uses it on their stainless version of the gunny, it would also be a solid performer.
 
michaelm466 said:
Almost forgot CPM-154, BRKT uses it on their stainless version of the gunny, it would also be a solid performer.
Click to expand...

Hello michaelm466,
I have a Buck Vanguard cpm-154 steel in the box never used never sharpened , are you interested in a trade of some sort ?
 
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