Stainless Steel recomendation

T

Trailer_Ape

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I plan on having a knife made, this tax season, and am still trying to decide what steel I want it made from. Your input would be appreciated.

It will be a fixed blade. Length will be less than 4" but will be a little wide and have an unusual shape. This shape will make it tricky to sharpen (for me) so I would like something that is able to hold its edge and not require too much from me. Corrosion resistance is important because it will be carried on my person and it does get hot here (sweat). While the knife will be carried for self defense and light utility (opening boxes, cutting steak), it does have to be tough because, in the unfortunate event it is used for self defense, I want to know it is not likely to chip (or roll) when hitting unanticipated targets (belt buckle, change in pocket, jewelry, etc). Also, while it is for light duty, there will times when it might get used to cut through speaker wire or a an old phone charging cable. That, and maybe cardboard, would be as heavy as it use would go.

I was leaning towards 154CM but a friend is telling me to look at Nitro V. I've read a little about it but still undecided.

Thanks
 
I'd go with CPM-154, easy to sharpen, stainless, holds a good edge, not super expensive what's not to like?
 
Nitro V, CPM 154, CPM 3V. I have a few Elmax fixed blades that are amazing performers, but if you want cheaper, Nitro V is amazing stuff! 3V is my all time favorite steel, and if you Ht it right, it will have added corrosion resistance. Based on the knives I have used in these steels, with the proper HT and blade geometry, they are plenty tough for a 4+ inch blade. If you want very user friendly, Nitro V and CPM 154 are the easiest to sharpen out of the ones mentioned. I don't find 3V or Elmax difficult to sharpen at all though.
 
I’ve always liked the 154’s they’re both super awesome and easy to sharpen steals. And I hate to say it but I still really like 440c it’s very corrosion resistant, just don’t hold edge real long but sharpens really easy to very sharp and cheap! My 2 cents
 
CPM-154, s35vn, LC200N.

LC200N is going to be the most stainless, have never seen it rust yet. It's also very tough and has excellent edge retention when properly heat treated.

S35VN is like S30V but with niobium which prevents chipping. It's stainless so you'll have to keep it dry but won't stain easily.

Cpm154 also similar to s35vn. Little tiny bit tougher maybe but easier to sharpen. Edge retention depends on the ht. It's probably slightly less or about the same as s35vn for ER.

AEB-L and nitro-v are also good choices.
 
A steel that has become my absolute`favorite hands down is M390. I have 2 Bradford G3's and they are both M390 and not only does it perform really well it is a pleasure to sharpen. It's easier to sharpen than S35VN
and holds a sharp edge much longer. I have never been excited about a blade steel but as of the writing of this post I consider it the holy grail of knife steels.
 
As a knife maker, I would recommend M390 first, Elmax a close second, and S35VN a close third. M390 has 20% Chrome (Cr), 4% Vanadium (V), which form the highest number of Cr and V carbides. Elmax has 18% Cr and 3 % V, while S35VN has 14% Cr and 3% V. Also, M390 and Elmax are both 3rd generation Powder Steels, which are definitely cleaner than S35VN, i.e. fewer impurities or inclusions. Having said all that, any one of the three would be very suitable.
Tim
 
Some good recommendations on materials so far. I enjoy CPM 154 and M390 as I find them easy to sharpen and maintain.

Myself, I would contact the maker with my requirements and let him/her make a suggestion. Some makers have a preference and they can really bring out the performance of said preferences.

That's just me though. I wouldn't tell that artist guy how to paint that ceiling in the Sistine Chapel... He's the expert, not me... I'd just fowl it up with my uneducated input.

Same goes for knife makers in my book. They're the ones who know what materials they can make work to my specs.
 
ucfgrad93 said:
Not sure I understand this, could you please clarify?
Click to expand...
Stain less.

It means it won't stain as easily as say high carbon steel. However it will stain.

Something like LC200N replaces the carbon with nitrogen for a highly rust resistant steel.
 
A custom knife is only as good as the maker, who is it?
Everything else is secondary to me.
 
Don't worry about toughness during a self-defense situation. If you should be so unfortunate to need a knife for that, whether your edge might chip or roll will be the least of your worries. And you can always buy another knife, but not another life.
 
Yeah, forgot about LC200N/Z-Finit. It is great stuff. I have a 6 inch blade and a 8 inch chopper in it. Performs very well! It is really easy to sharpen too. Just make sure the HT is done right, and the hardness is high enough. My 6 inch has some had a few tiny edge deformations when using hard, like chopping and batoning. It is thin behind the edge too, so that factors in just as much, if not more than HT.
Anyways, Great steel!!
 
I would reccomend M390 / CPM 20CV.
Great edge holding and easy to sharpen. Also very stainless. Also pretty tough.

Z-Finit/LC200N is also another great stainless. Make sure its at 60HRC for maximum tougness and edge holding. It takes a fine edge quite easily and gets razor sharp. Its surprisingly tough for a stainless. But heat treat is super important for that steel. I like peters heat treating, they have it dialed at 60HRC.
 
Thank you all, for the suggestions! You've given me a lot of things to look into. Some off these, I've never even heard of and need to read up on.

So far, I'm leaning towards the CPM 154.

To the poster who asked who was making it. Have not completely decided, yet. The person I was going to ask has unfortunately passed away. RIP Scott Horn.
 
20CV or ZDP(though that will be hard to get)
LC200N wouldn't be my first choice because of toughness
 
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