Spyderco steel question

Joined
Jan 18, 2020
Messages
97
Hi. I am going to get Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight. But there are too many different steels and I do not know these things.

i want something that would not rust or change color, strop/sharpen easily, and will not chip. Which of these steels are it?

CTS BD1
CPM S110V
REX 45
CPM SPY27
Maxamet (I won’t get this as this is over budget)
 
I don't have any direct experience with CTS-BD1, but of all you've listed I think that one might meet your needs best. The rest are either high wear resistance or patina prone.
 
CTS BD1N its nitrogen content allows the chromium to provide more stain resistance and it should be easy to strop back to sharpness. And it has good tougness.

As for SPY27 I am not sure havent gotten my hands on it yet. But should be pretty good as well.

REX 45 and MAXAMET are both Tool steels and will patina/stain/rust if not taken care of so that takes those 2 off the table. (I'm aware that maxamet is out of your price range.)
 
Have they switched over from BD1 to BD1N yet?

I like both and agree that either would suit what you describe very well. That said, I'd prefer BD1N but my daily carry for some time was BD1 and I had few complaints.
 
BD1 out of those choices and your needs. Although I think you'd probably end up with BD1N, depending on which knife you're referring to.
 
CTS-BD1!!! It will have the least edge retention out of the others on your list, but it does meet all of your requirements.
 
If you buy a new one it should be bd1n. It has much better edge retention than bd1, but sharpens really easily and is very stain resistant. I would choose it. My para 3 lw has it and it has been good for me.

BD1 is by no means a bad steel, and if you find one with bd1 I wouldn't shun it.
 
Out of your choices, I would select S110V.

But I think you would be better off to bite the bullet and get Maxamet.

I have a Manix 2 in Maxamet, and it's awesome. Or like the young folks would say. "Like totally awesome, man!":)
 
If you're gonna be rough with it, rex45... if not, maxamet (regardless of being over budget).
But since you want stainless, BD1 or 1N meets your requirements. Personally, I'd wait for Spy27.
 
Last edited:
Out of your choices, I would select S110V.

But I think you would be better off to bite the bullet and get Maxamet.

I have a Manix 2 in Maxamet, and it's awesome. Or like the young folks would say. "Like totally awesome, man!":)
S110V is a fantastic steel -- I have a Military in S110V -- but it is challenging to sharpen and you need diamond hones. But it does hold an edge a long time.
 
Unfortunately the one you are looking for was a dealer exclusive a few years back.



I agree with the group that says BD1N will be the best of the present lineup at meeting your desires. (BD1N is going to be in the M2LW this year, right?)
 
Last edited:
Out of your choices, I would select S110V.

But I think you would be better off to bite the bullet and get Maxamet.

I have a Manix 2 in Maxamet, and it's awesome. Or like the young folks would say. "Like totally awesome, man!":)

You've got a loose definition of "young folks." I think most of the people who used that phrase have AARP cards now.

Also, you're recommending that someone who wants a knife that wont rust or patina, sharpens easily and won't chip buy a Maxamet blade? I'm glad you like yours, I like Maxamet too, but that's terrible advice.

Maxamet is almost a photo negative of that description. It's a pain to sharpen without the right abrasives, it's doesn't even pretend to be stainless and is brittle.

I'd go with the CTS-BD1(N) variant. It's the cheapest, looks the coolest with the poliwash blade and translucent handles, sharpens easily with granddad's Arkansas stones and won't rust or chip in normal use.
 
QUOTE - "Hi. I am going to get Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight. But there are too many different steels and I do not know these things. i want something that would not rust or change color, strop/sharpen easily, and will not chip. Which of these steels are it?
CTS BD1
CPM S110V
REX 45
CPM SPY27
Maxamet (I won’t get this as this is over budget) I don't think you could go wrong with any of them." QUOTE

My personal opinion is that they are all very good knife steels and will perform to your satisfaction I'm sure. Here is one of my favorites but I'd be happy with any of them.

 
Last edited:
GatorFlash1 GatorFlash1 , I recently bought a Spyderco Maxamet folder. I have not done any serious "destruction tests," I just slipped it into my pocket and use it as an EDC.

The best thing I can say is that it came sharp and stayed sharp.

upload_2020-2-22_10-0-22.jpeg
 
All good steels but given your criteria I think it's between S110V and BD1 with BD1 being closer.
If you can learn to sharpen decently and use diamond stones the S110V isn't hard to sharpen and it holds an edge really well.
I'm sure it isn't rustproof like H1 steel and BD1 probably has better rust resistance.
But for the leap in edge retention you get with S110V and minimal to no rust, I'd just make sure you have a diamond sharpener around and you'll be the most pleased.

I love using my S110V Manix and it's never been hard to sharpen with a diamond sharpener and I've never had any rust like you get on plain carbon steel like 52100.
 
Back
Top