Recommendations for knife steel

[Joshua G]

I’m going to build a medium size hunting knife and I am wondering what steel
y’all recommend. I am leaning strongly towards Aeb-l however I am open to suggestions.
If you do recommend a steel let me know your preferred vendor for that grade.
Thanks
-Josh

 

[DevinT]

How will you heat treat the blade?

Hoss

 

[Joshua G]

How will you heat treat the blade?

Hoss

I’m going to ship it out to a heat treat service.

 

[Hengelo_77]

If you ship it out you can use whatever you want and whatever you can get.
Try Magnacut

 

[Scaniaman]

You can't go wrong with AEB-L in any sort if knife. But if allowed to be picky, in a hunting knife I would step up the wear resistance a bit. Skinning and cutting up game wears steel. CPM154 is a good option inbetween AEB-L and Magnacut. Magnacut is better but more expensive and more difficult to finish.

 

[Taz]

I like Magnacut, but CPM154 is a nice mid level steel with better edge retention and still good toughness for stainless. I use Nitro V/AEB-L for my entry level blades, CPM 154 for mid level stainless and Magnacut for the high end stuff. Carbon steels, I usually do a simple steel like 52100, 80crv2, or 8670, then step up to 3V, then CruWear. I want to try M4 and some of the other ones soon!

 

[Seedy Lot]

AEB-L is one of my favorite steels for wood use especially for people who are not the best at sharpening but for myself personally I find Magnacut to be a much better steel for field butchering wild game.

 

[Natlek]

I’m going to build a medium size hunting knife and I am wondering what steel
y’all recommend. I am leaning strongly towards Aeb-l however I am open to suggestions.
If you do recommend a steel let me know your preferred vendor for that grade.
Thanks
-Josh

​

CPM S30V , I am 100 % sure that you would like it !

CPM S30V Stainless Steel • Alpha Knife Supply - AKS™

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[SBuzek]

Cpm154 or S35VN

 

[tim37a]

In order of good, better, and best, I would rate S35VN as good, M390 as better, and Magnacut as best. Although none of them are cheap, S35VN is least expensive, M390 is a little more, and Magnacut is the most expensive.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I’m going to ship it out to a heat treat service.

I think Where you ship to can determine on What steel you use

 

[J Lensmire]

I'd check with who's doing your heat treat. Certain shops don't like AEB-L due to extra work caused by warping. I'd say if you want stainless, can't go wrong with CPM-154. Readily available and won't break the bank. If you're thinking carbon, then 80CRV2 is tough as nails, A2, O1, 52100 are always great options that people have used "forever" The heat treat can make a good blade design a work horse or the best blade design worthless.

 

[fitzo]

My 2cents is to avoid AEB-L. Too many issues for a new guy or novice. CPM-154 makes a fine knife and will be forgiving of grinds, finishes readily, and be less likely to warp in heat treat. Do yourself a favor...

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I use 26C3 and S35-VN mainly. I'm playing with all sorts of new steels, but those are my "go-to" steels.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I'd check with who's doing your heat treat. Certain shops don't like AEB-L due to extra work caused by warping. I'd say if you want stainless, can't go wrong with CPM-154. Readily available and won't break the bank. If you're thinking carbon, then 80CRV2 is tough as nails, A2, O1, 52100 are always great options that people have used "forever" The heat treat can make a good blade design a work horse or the best blade design worthless.

You said this better than i