Steel choice for a fixed blade

[XtianAus]

2 part question here:

1.) If you were ordering a custom camping/harder use fixed blade that was 9-10" overall/4-5" blade, what steel choice would you choose?

2.) I personally like steels that are tough but very stainless. I am stuck between vanax, LC200N, Magnacut and Aebl (though Aebl is less stainless). Of my choices what would you pick?

 

[luethge]

If forced to choose from the steels mentioned above - AEB-L hands down

( 3V I’ve never experienced rust or patina on 3V ).

 

[SharpBits]

One of my biggest outdoor blades is the Barax in AEB-L. Well suited to the task while keeping the knife affordable. Magnacut would be my second choice for a bump in price. I have less interest in the other two steels. The other two usually come with higher price tags.

 

[Mk-211]

Magnacut

 

[el gigantor]

If forced to choose from the steels mentioned above - AEB-L hands down

( 3V I’ve never experienced rust or patina on 3V ).

What he said!

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Cruwear is my jam.

 

[Tritium]

I'll choose Magnacut from your list for better edge retention. Although I am happy with AEB-L and LC200N as well.

Probably should ask the maker that question.

 

[Alone]

If you're going "tough" and "stainless"...

420HC, AEB-L, or Magnacut.


Just my opinion. Happy hunting.

 

[Tritium]

I've not had rust issues with 3v, 4v or Cruwear

 

[Lorien]

I like 3V, tried and true

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

2 part question here:

1.) If you were ordering a custom camping/harder use fixed blade that was 9-10" overall/4-5" blade, what steel choice would you choose?

2.) I personally like steels that are tough but very stainless. I am stuck between vanax, LC200N, Magnacut and Aebl (though Aebl is less stainless). Of my choices what would you pick?

Of your choices, AEB-L is 1st.

MagnaCut 2nd.

LC200N, good for stainless, but dulls pretty quick for a camp knife.

Never had the chance to have a knife in Vanax, so it’s excluded due to zero experience with it.

But you already know Delta3V rules

 

[ferider]

Anyone of the steels mentioned so far is great. Least preferred lc200n, maybe. Among the others, I’d let the maker choose.

 

[Seedy Lot]

If you like AEB-L but want more corrosion resistance than 14C28N.

 

[oldmanwilly]

If you like AEB-L but want more corrosion resistance than 14C28N.

I concur. Only one to add to the pile is 3V. You should also defer to what your maker recommends; he (or she?) will probably know which steel works best for their designs.

 

[RPZIP]

Scandi 12C27. Easy to sharpen, works great. AUS-10A or even 8 would be fine for me.

None of your options, just what I would go with. I am just not a "super steel" fan.

 

[luethge]

Out of the 3 mentioned steels - lcn200n I know nothing about. Between magnucut and AEB-L though, I’ve had the fortune of using quite a few different makers versions of both steels. Magnucut is excellent but aeb-l is easier to field sharpen when the time comes. If a camp knife that will see chopping, dropping, hacking and carving is the plan.. AEB-L is probably perfect ( not to mention it’s usually less expensive ). AEB-L kind of reminds me of Busse’s INFI steel in the way it seems to roll before chipping ( on convex edges anyway ).

*im also not an expert at anything I’ve just ranted about. I do love durability in a Knife though,

 

[beeinak]

AEB-L that is fairly hard, and MagnaCut are simply great for stainless and are my preference when I know I will be in rain or snow for extended periods and delayed in maintenance. Otherwise 3V or D3V is my favorite and have had no issues with rain/snow as long as I wipe them down.

Looking at OP requirements, the CPK BFK in MagnaCut fits the bill (I recently got one).

 

[TheFactor]

My choice would be Magnacut but you couldn’t go wrong with any of your choices imo .

 

[Synov]

AEB-L that is fairly hard, and MagnaCut are simply great for stainless and are my preference when I know I will be in rain or snow for extended periods and delayed in maintenance. Otherwise 3V or D3V is my favorite and have had no issues with rain/snow as long as I wipe them down.

Looking at OP requirements, the CPK BFK in MagnaCut fits the bill (I recently got one).

Agreed, but just be aware that AEB-L's toughness drops rapidly as hardness increases. AEB-L at 63 has about the same toughness as Magnacut at 60.5. At 64, AEB-L and Magnacut have the same toughness. I would keep AEB-L at 60-62 for hard use.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Of your 3 steel choices it's a no brainer, for Hard Use knife AEB-L treated at 62HRC.

If this was more of Just a hunting knife, or edc, I'd pick MC from your choices.

But if you are going to be chopping, splitting, prying, digging, whatever.....then choosing AEB-L is smarter