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Stainless Steel?
- Thread starter James J
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Shorttime
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Sure, S90V is "the best" right now, but in three months, somebody will have a new alloy that is even more wear-resistant, without sacrificing toughness.
Just like three months ago, when S90 came out.....
Okay, maybe it wasn't exactly three months ago, but you get the idea.
There is a direct relationship between how hard it is to dull your knife, and how easy it is to sharpen it again, because the same properties that make it resist the abrasive action of what you're cutting, also make it resist the abrasive action of the stone or diamond media. To the steel, both are trying to do the same thing.
If you are doing a lot of cutting, and you aren't able to resharpen your knife "in the field", then S90v, or S35VN, would be good choices, because they will do a lot of cutting before slowing down. But once they cease to part matter with their former ease, you are going to spend a lot of time at the bench, putting that edge back on.
If you can stash a small stone or diamond sharpener in your kit, you may be able to get away with a less wear-resistant steel, because when it slows down, you can simply pull out your sharpener, give it a couple licks, and get back to business.
Edit: I don't mean to sound condescending, but the OP was brief about the reasons behind the question, and I felt that my personal perspective about long-wearing steels might be helpful. People get caught up by how long a particular steel is able to hold an edge, without thinking about how long it will take to put that edge back on.
Just like three months ago, when S90 came out.....
Okay, maybe it wasn't exactly three months ago, but you get the idea.
There is a direct relationship between how hard it is to dull your knife, and how easy it is to sharpen it again, because the same properties that make it resist the abrasive action of what you're cutting, also make it resist the abrasive action of the stone or diamond media. To the steel, both are trying to do the same thing.
If you are doing a lot of cutting, and you aren't able to resharpen your knife "in the field", then S90v, or S35VN, would be good choices, because they will do a lot of cutting before slowing down. But once they cease to part matter with their former ease, you are going to spend a lot of time at the bench, putting that edge back on.
If you can stash a small stone or diamond sharpener in your kit, you may be able to get away with a less wear-resistant steel, because when it slows down, you can simply pull out your sharpener, give it a couple licks, and get back to business.
Edit: I don't mean to sound condescending, but the OP was brief about the reasons behind the question, and I felt that my personal perspective about long-wearing steels might be helpful. People get caught up by how long a particular steel is able to hold an edge, without thinking about how long it will take to put that edge back on.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2007
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- 987
M390 keeps it's fine edge pretty well & isn't too much of a chore to sharpen for being a high end steel.
This is relative because all steels lose that super-fine edge rather quickly. D2 is on one end of this spectrum, losing it quick before settling into a working edge that lasts quite a while. M390 seems to keep it's fine edge better than other steels I've used & has an aggressive bite to it that I really like. Its my favorite steel as of late.
This is relative because all steels lose that super-fine edge rather quickly. D2 is on one end of this spectrum, losing it quick before settling into a working edge that lasts quite a while. M390 seems to keep it's fine edge better than other steels I've used & has an aggressive bite to it that I really like. Its my favorite steel as of late.
This.
It is also a reason why I prefer ease of putting on a edge over ability to maintain a edge. Obviously there is a balance there. In the field, I keep a edgepro 1000 grit with me and I'll touch it up during breaks if I used the edge a lot
Confucius say, "it is easy to keep a sharp knife sharp than to make a dull knife sharp." When I first started with knives, I had trouble getting my buck 110 in 440c sharp. But now I have now problem keeping zdp189 razor sharp. I actually shaved with it at the hospital the other day. Zdp is a great steel. It stays sharp forever. Just don't let it get dull 
Edge retention is a big focus with a lot of people, but I think there is a sort of sweet spot around CPM S35VN. It holds an edge great, is tough enough to handle a lot of abuse, and is quick to touch up.
I don't feel a need to go beyond this level for edge retention purposes. That's not to say I won't, but I don't really see M390, CPM-XHP, etc as practical "upgrades". They strike me more as alternative options.
I don't feel a need to go beyond this level for edge retention purposes. That's not to say I won't, but I don't really see M390, CPM-XHP, etc as practical "upgrades". They strike me more as alternative options.
Thank you for stating this...I agree with you completely. If the OP really is looking for retention and "hard at sharpening", S90 or S110 would make sense. If you want more balance (solid edge retention and not so difficult to sharpen), I personally would go M390, ELMAX or S35.
Edit: I am no expert, but the statements above reflect my experience.
Edit: I am no expert, but the statements above reflect my experience.
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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- Nov 2, 2002
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- 21,094
A lot of it has more to do with sharpening skill and what is being used to sharpen with... What is being cut and other assorted variables...
- Joined
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Confucius say, "it is easy to keep a sharp knife sharp than to make a dull knife sharp." When I first started with knives, I had trouble getting my buck 110 in 440c sharp. But now I have now problem keeping zdp189 razor sharp. I actually shaved with it at the hospital the other day. Zdp is a great steel. It stays sharp forever. Just don't let it get dull
I didn't know, they make 110 in 440c ? isn't that 420HC ?
Edit: now I see they do make one in 440c great
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2002
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- 1,969
I'm not too much if a steel snob when selecting a knife. Any of the higher end versions is fine with me. I think if I had to do a lineup with 5 knives with different blade steel, each doing the same task, I couldn't tell them apart. I will also go with D2 or some of the other tool steels.
I've read, and think it's true, much depends on the heat treatment.
For some traditional knives 1095 is great. The steel used in SAK's is great. Bucks 420HC had been in service for years and years. They have it down.
I do usually avoid the lower end off shore steels, more do, cause I can't verify what steel it actually is, snd who knows how it was prepared.
I've read, and think it's true, much depends on the heat treatment.
For some traditional knives 1095 is great. The steel used in SAK's is great. Bucks 420HC had been in service for years and years. They have it down.
I do usually avoid the lower end off shore steels, more do, cause I can't verify what steel it actually is, snd who knows how it was prepared.
Wait...are you saying want a steel that is HARD to sharpen instead of something that is easy to sharpen?
If you want more difficult sharpening, ZDP-189 and S90V are great candidates IMO.
If you want something that holds its edge a very long time and is slightly easier to sharpen than the above, I think M390 and S110V are really desirable steels for extreme edge-holding and one of the reasons they are gaining popularity is because that while their very high wear resistance would suggest they are a total nightmare to sharpen, most users feel happy and competent with the upkeep.
If you want a stainless that is reasonably easy to sharpen, holds a very good edge, has very good corrosion resistance, and is also very tough (much tougher than any of the above), I think ELMAX and S35VN are really tough to beat when around the 60 HRC range.
If you want more difficult sharpening, ZDP-189 and S90V are great candidates IMO.
If you want something that holds its edge a very long time and is slightly easier to sharpen than the above, I think M390 and S110V are really desirable steels for extreme edge-holding and one of the reasons they are gaining popularity is because that while their very high wear resistance would suggest they are a total nightmare to sharpen, most users feel happy and competent with the upkeep.
If you want a stainless that is reasonably easy to sharpen, holds a very good edge, has very good corrosion resistance, and is also very tough (much tougher than any of the above), I think ELMAX and S35VN are really tough to beat when around the 60 HRC range.
