Reformed ...back on the porch though.

I used to be a steel snob, at this point I don't really care what it is as long as it performs adequately but my preference is good 'ol carbon. I'm more concerned about thin blades that slice really well than I am about attributes of expensive steel on a paper sheet.
 
I dipped my toes in steel snobbery, but after much experimentation, I've concluded that for a pocket knife, steel really isn't all that critical. Gain in one characteristic, usually lose in another. And geometry tends to be a severely overlooked equalizer to boot. These days, if I can sharpen it, I'll carry it.
 
Like many, I started with traditionals as a kid, discovered the modern OHO and was all about thumb studs and flipper tabs. Then I got a bunch and started looking at a cheap newer traditional for work, and got back into them. I used to dream of a ZT-0562 and a PM2. Now I still want that PM2 but switch that ZT for a GEC #77 in Spring Green! So now I know I'm not just into one style I like them all! I like having a super steel but in all honesty VG-10 outperforms my actual needs and some classic 1095 does great and is easy enough to maintain. Let's be honest here you can score vintage American carbon steel blades for next to nothing and clean up fast.
 
I like all types of knives. I respect the majority of what these craftsman and companies are putting out there for us. Different steel options is fun. But I tend to enjoy my traditional knives for various reasons. Spyderco recently put of their modern take on a Slipjoint with K390 steel. Intense steel for slippy
 
I never went down the steel snobbery path. I have enjoyed learning about many of the nicer steels, and it is helpful to know the price points where you tend to expect a bump in steel. My pocket knife needs are very limited. I have found that the 440A in Rough Riders, 420HC used by Case and Buck, and Victorinox' X55CrMo14 is usually up to what I need, and is a breeze to sharpen. Though, once I learned how to sharpen it, I kind of dig Queen's D2 as well.

I've got a several modern knives that are in "better" steels (VG-10, 154CM, Elmax, etc) but I didn't buy those knives for the steels, I bought them for the design and function, and just ended up with the steels that the makers decided to use.

I certainly understand that someone who really uses their knives a lot for specific tasks will have a true need for knives with specific toughness, or wear resistance, or hardness, and that the choice of steel really matters to them. I'm just not one of those people. :)
 
Luckily I've been blissfully ignorant of any of these fancy steels. I've never felt "under-knifed" with my "inferior" 1095 traditional pocket knives. I've never found myself unable to cut what I needed to cut. Am I missing something? I love my pocket knife, it serves me well.
 
We don't use the term "steel snob" in this forum. Derogatory terms of any type are not acceptable. This forum is about sharing love of traditional knives, not about putting down folks who like other styles of cutlery.
 
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