Scary sharp steel folder

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Brian.Evans

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Gentlemen, in a folder, what steel would you like to have, or have had, that would retain that "scary sharp" edge for a long time. I'm working on a new design and would like to use a steel that stays scary sharp for as long as possible.

We're looking at a 3" folder or so, just btw.
 
medicevans said:
Gentlemen, in a folder, what steel would you like to have, or have had, that would retain that "scary sharp" edge for a long time. I'm working on a new design and would like to use a steel that stays scary sharp for as long as possible.

We're looking at a 3" folder or so, just btw.
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Depends on what you are using the knife for?

Long time depends on what one is going to be cutting, and a long time compared to what?
 
CPM M4 in the Benchmade 810 Contego at 62-64Hrc will take a very, very keen edge and hold it as long as just about any steel, excluding non normal production knife steels like S110V, Rex 121, S125V, Maxamet, etc...

Honestly, from my experience, steels like CPM S110V will take a pretty fine edge, but they lose that scary sharp, hair popping keeness at about the same rate as lesser steels. They will, however, hold a great shaving sharp/working edge for an extremely long time. I would say a steel like M390 (or 20CV or CTS-204P) seems to hold it's extremely keen edge a bit better than other steels but I have no proof, just my opinion.

Try all kinds of steels, high speed tool steels like CPM M4 at a high hardness, high carbide stainless steels like S90V, S110V, or ZDP-189 or M390. Then you have kind of mid ranged high carbide stainless steels like ELMAX, S30V/S35VN, D2 (not really stainless, but close enough). Then you have full blown non-stainless tool steels like A2, CPM 3V (a favorite of a lot of people), 10V (extreme wear resistance).

Bottom line, try any/every steel you can. Even though I like ELMAX, ZDP, M390, M4, etc...I still like steels like 154CM, or VG-10, or even 1095 High carbon.
 
TriviaMonster said:
CPM M4 in the Benchmade 810 Contego at 62-64Hrc will take a very, very keen edge and hold it as long as just about any steel, excluding non normal production knife steels like S110V, Rex 121, S125V, Maxamet, etc...

Honestly, from my experience, steels like CPM S110V will take a pretty fine edge, but they lose that scary sharp, hair popping keeness at about the same rate as lesser steels. They will, however, hold a great shaving sharp/working edge for an extremely long time. I would say a steel like M390 (or 20CV or CTS-204P) seems to hold it's extremely keen edge a bit better than other steels but I have no proof, just my opinion.

Try all kinds of steels, high speed tool steels like CPM M4 at a high hardness, high carbide stainless steels like S90V, S110V, or ZDP-189 or M390. Then you have kind of mid ranged high carbide stainless steels like ELMAX, S30V/S35VN, D2 (not really stainless, but close enough). Then you have full blown non-stainless tool steels like A2, CPM 3V (a favorite of a lot of people), 10V (extreme wear resistance).

Bottom line, try any/every steel you can. Even though I like ELMAX, ZDP, M390, M4, etc...I still like steels like 154CM, or VG-10, or even 1095 High carbon.
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It really comes down to what one is cutting.... ;)

ANY steel will lose that hair popping edge VERY fast, but again it depends on what one is cutting AND the steel, HT, tempering, edge geometry, edge finish etc.
 
I ve had great success with ZDP-189 and CTS-XHP!! They both seem to keep a really sharp edge for a long time.
 
Heat treat and geometry will make or break any steel, good point Ankerson. I was just assuming the OP knew that already. But if all do is slice phone book paper and shave your arm, any steel will hold it's hair popping edge for awhile :eek:

I would say even a steel like 52100, given a proper heat treat and ran at 62-63Hrc will perform very, very well with good geometry if one is looking for anything other than a machete/axe/chopper.

I think it's best to pick steel based on other qualities instead of sheer edge retention. Is this a knife that will see a lot of salt water? As amazing as CPM M4 is at 62-64Hrc, it won't be the best choice. Is toughness at high hardness a factor? Probably better choices than D2 or S90V. There are a ton of variables, luckily though, there are a ton of steels to choose from.
 
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