Gossman Knives
Edged Toolmaker
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2004
- Messages
- 9,394
I highly recommend CPM 154. It's tougher then S30V. I waiting on the new CPMS 35VN to work with. This steel is suppose to be a real good one.
Scott
Scott
Better is a dangerous term. All alloys have plusses and minuses. That's why there are so many alloys available. Everything is a compromise. You just need to decide where you want to compromise.
How about BG-42?
The subject says it all. A recent thread (or four) asked about the preferred blade steel for a pocket knife, and S30V was coming out a clear front runner. My question is, in your opinion, what's better than S30V, with 'better' being defined as edge holding, fine-ness of edge, ease of sharpening.
Better is a dangerous term. All alloys have plusses and minuses. That's why there are so many alloys available. Everything is a compromise. You just need to decide where you want to compromise.
Well the OP asks what's better in terms of edge holding AND ease of sharpening. That's the trick. The steels that are better than S30V AND still stainless are usually harder to sharpen. I would say pick from ZDP-189 or S90V, although you will have more variety in the former than the latter.
IMO if you're simply looking for a high end folder you can't do much worse than the Stretch in Carbon Fiber and ZDP-189.
I believe the M2 comes with 154CM not CPM154.
I have no problem sharpening any steel. This is not matter of steel but proper sharpening method and tools. So far I had only problem with CPM S110V to make it hair whittling sharp - all other steel need same amount of work to sharpen - does not really matter is it CPM S90V or 420HC. I would say cheap soft steel is harder to sharpen because of huge flapping burr problem - in this terms ZDP189 need less time.
Thanks, Vassili.
Yes that is probably true but only if you are vigilant in maintaining an edge and have good sharpening skills. If for some reason or another one is unable to sharpen it and the knife gets very dull they are going to spend quite a bit of time bringing back the edge.
This is even worse if the person does not have a lot of sharpening experience and he/she is not using a top quality sharpening stone.
The funny thing is I have found I can sometimes freehand a better edge on a knife and quicker too with coarse DMT diamond hones than with an edge pro apex alone. Of course I can finish to fine edge with the apex. Maybe it's my skill but I think it's only because the diamonds cut the harder steel better.
I have never sharpened CPM S110V but if I find D2 and BG-41 difficult to do a tiny re-profile on as well as get shaving sharp, I can only imagine how hard CPM S110v would be. Are there any types of exercises one can do to improve their angle holding ability when sharpening. I ask because you seem to be quite fond of putting keen edges on your blades.
I could never get my Ontario RAT (RC-3 knockoff) D2 razor sharp. I bought this one before the RAT cutlery (now ESEE cutlery) Ontario cutlery wars by the way.