Steel. Do You Ever Wonder?

[Kenny H.]

I think it's great when reviewers talk in detail about the benefits of good steels, but never do I think a person should spend above and beyond just to have a special type of steel. I've used knives until the edge was nearly flattened, I've never found a razor sharp knife to be more useful than a dull as dirt knife.

I think people who stress over the super steel edge retention and silly stuff like that are just a little off their ticker, but to each his own; I stress about the appearance of the knife more than anything so the same could be said of me, I would never carry or use a Mora, because they look like sin to me.

 

[Jason B.]

Why would you not want a better peforming steel?

Its like saying you want your knife to be dull or your car to be slow or black & white TV is good enough.

Everything gets better with time because we as humans strive for it, if we didn't we would not be talking to each other right now.

I use my knife to cut anything I need cut and I need a steel that can keep up. I like the fact I don't need to sharpen my knife half way through a job.

 

[rifon2]

I've never found a razor sharp knife to be more useful than a dull as dirt knife.

Seriously?

I mean, the job of a knife is essentially to cut.
And sharp knives cut better than dull knives.

 

[A.P.F.]

I tend to value knife design a bit more than steel type. That said, for my general use, S30V, VG-10 and BG-42 posses all the attributes that I look for in a steel. Unlike yablanowitz, who can make S90V tremble in fear, my uses are for woodcraft, camping and cooking. I simply don't require the higher end steels, nor would I be inclined to sharpen them in the field.

We are all very fortunate to have the large choice of steels available, coupled with a multitude of great designs. Each of us must choose what works for our unique applications. Sometime we get a winner, sometimes not so much, but as with most things in life, it's the journey that really matters, not the destination.

 

[carrot]

Premium, high end steels are great and all, but they can also come with the downside of being a real b**** to sharpen. Too often people lose sight of the goal (a knife that cuts) for the chase of exotic steels... Lately I have been discovering just how nice it is to use Buck's 420HC... On the other hand, in my other pocket is my ZDP Caly 3 and I would never let that one go...

 

[philwar]

The search for new and better steels is driven by the need to sell (like all innovation). The people who buy the newer products do so for two reasons mostly: Genuine appreciation and use for such innovation, and the simple desire to own it. Often it's a combination of the two.
So while I agree that there is little absolute need for new and improved steels for most of us (after all, the ancient Greeks and Romans had little trouble killing their adversaries or chopping down trees), it is also silly to sit in judgement of innovation. Most of the time, tasks are performed better and quicker with more modern tools. This holds true for knives as much as anything.

 

[Lycosa]

For basic everyday knife use, A2 is still at the top. The "new" steels are a tad better, imo.

 

[Smash05]

Innovation is great, never said otherwise. My issue is that I think alot of it is driven by "is new must have" than a legitimate attempt to evaluate the usefulness of a given product.

 

[stoffi]

Personally I feel as if knife manufacturers should focus more on the design than selling us on the steel (which is the easy thing to do). These modern day steels are truly fantastic compared to what has been around before, but I don't think that the design (form&function) is keeping up with the evolution. I have yet to find a knife that is worth the money; well, a Mora for 5 Bucks is a pretty good deal and they have more "bang-for-the-buck" than any other knives I've bought. Now I've just got to find that bang-for-the-buck 150-250 dollar knife...

 

[MikeC]

I work in building maintenance for a small town housing authority. There are two of us taking care of 133 apartments, 4 laundry facilities and 2 community centers. I deal with vinyl tile, ceramic tile, laminate flooring, old carpet, new carpet, OSB, tempered Masonite, high density particle board, plywood, fiberglass sheeting, PVC pipe, PVC tub surrounds and drywall on a daily basis. Guess how long most steels hold an edge when you're cutting up old, dirty carpet into managable pieces for removal, or cutting out damaged sheetrock to make repairs. Wear resistence is vital for me. Especially since we've been averaging 55 turns (making an apartment ready to rent) a year for the last five years. I literally don't have time to stop and sharpen a knife a dozen times a day.

Just curious what knives do you carry and use on a day to day basis. Which ones do you find hold up best and which ones have not made the cut. If you don't mind sharing.

 

[dsmegst]

I think I can safely say that 99.9% of the people on this forum owns more knives than they absolutely need. Why is that? We all want to own things that appeal to us and if that happens to extend to steel types, how is that different from style differences or handle types or whatever else?

I think it's disingenuous to criticize one aspect of our mutual hobby because it doesn't happen to be in your interest. It's the variety and uniqueness that makes knives so interesting.

Yes, there are times I buy a knife because it has the latest CPM-XXX super-duper steel but that's because I want to try it out.

How long does it keep a razor edge?
Am I good enough to sharpen it?
How tough is it?
How thin of an edge can it take and still be useful?
How well does it slice?
How well does it resist corrosion?
Will the girls flock to my coolness for owning it?

Let's be a little more understanding of our fellow knife knuts. And if a fellow decides to buy the same knife in every steel type known to man without ever intending to use them, then at least he's supporting the manufacturers and makers we all love.

Unless he buys up the last of a limited run knife I wanted to try out and missed out, I won't hold it against him.

 

[Joshua J.]

Personally I feel as if knife manufacturers should focus more on the design than selling us on the steel (which is the easy thing to do). These modern day steels are truly fantastic compared to what has been around before, but I don't think that the design (form&function) is keeping up with the evolution. I have yet to find a knife that is worth the money; well, a Mora for 5 Bucks is a pretty good deal and they have more "bang-for-the-buck" than any other knives I've bought. Now I've just got to find that bang-for-the-buck 150-250 dollar knife...

Have you tried the Spyderco Military?
The blade is full flat ground and distal tapered, which is the most effective cutting profile there is. The handle curves and arches in all the right places, and is especially suited for use with gloves or large hands.

If the Military is too big for you, try the Caly 3 or Stretch in ZDP-189. Either of those make an ideal EDC in the 3"-3.5" range.

 

[Vivi]

I'm not opposed to using 1095, 8Cr13MoV, Opinels soft carbon steel or the steel in SAKs. They aren't on anyone's "super steel" list, but they perform well for the roles I use them for.

However, my 1095 knives are outperformed by my SR101. My 8Cr13MoV is outperformed by my CPMD2. My SAK steel isn't as tough or corrosion proof as H1.

In most situations the first steels listed will get me by, but there are times I want the higher end performance. For a true, every day carry, I don't mind spending a premium to get the best. If I pay 200$ for x knife, and carry it every day, even if the knife only lasts me 1 full year that's nearly 50 cents a day. If that knife lasts me ten?

Also a lot of the new "super steels" take thinner, sharper edges than older steels of similar make-up.

One more thing. I really want to know what people do to their knives to need to spend 30 minutes re-sharpening them. My most wear resistant knives an be touched up in a minute or two. If you use a micro-bevel wear resistance becomes moot when it comes to sharpening. Even if I'm not using a microbevel, it doesn't take me more than a minute on a fine DMT bench stone to reset the bevel and have a sharp edge. Where do the other 29 minutes come in? I feel like the time required to sharpen certain steels is seriously exaggerated.

 

[yablanowitz]

Just curious what knives do you carry and use on a day to day basis. Which ones do you find hold up best and which ones have not made the cut. If you don't mind sharing.

My S90V/CF Military is pretty much my go-to knife for rough work, with a Manix 2 S90V for back up. I've been carrying the latest Mule (whatever it happens to be at the time) in the ruler pocket of my carpenter jeans since the program started. My favorite out of them is the S90V, with the M4 in second.

I carry an assortment of smaller pocketknives in 1095, D2, Case CV and Queen's old 440C that see light duty and work fine for that, but when things get serious, the S90V comes out.

 

[Vivi]

I think it's great when reviewers talk in detail about the benefits of good steels, but never do I think a person should spend above and beyond just to have a special type of steel. I've used knives until the edge was nearly flattened, I've never found a razor sharp knife to be more useful than a dull as dirt knife.

I think people who stress over the super steel edge retention and silly stuff like that are just a little off their ticker, but to each his own; I stress about the appearance of the knife more than anything so the same could be said of me, I would never carry or use a Mora, because they look like sin to me.

Wow, you and me are sure on opposite ends of the spectrum

A knife cuts things, to me looks are meaningless in a knife. If the best knife design came in pink only, I'd carry it. Sharper knives cut better, therefore doing their job better. I can't imagine wanting to use a knife that I have to vigorously saw at a box just to start a cut, opposed to my knives that just push cut right through anything with minimal effort. I've never cut any material in my life where a dull knife performed better, or even equal to a sharp one.

 

[The Government]

I think I can safely say that 99.9% of the people on this forum owns more knives than they absolutely need. Why is that? We all want to own things that appeal to us and if that happens to extend to steel types, how is that different from style differences or handle types or whatever else?

I think it's disingenuous to criticize one aspect of our mutual hobby because it doesn't happen to be in your interest. It's the variety and uniqueness that makes knives so interesting.

Yes, there are times I buy a knife because it has the latest CPM-XXX super-duper steel but that's because I want to try it out.

How long does it keep a razor edge?
Am I good enough to sharpen it?
How tough is it?
How thin of an edge can it take and still be useful?
How well does it slice?
How well does it resist corrosion?
Will the girls flock to my coolness for owning it?

Let's be a little more understanding of our fellow knife knuts. And if a fellow decides to buy the same knife in every steel type known to man without ever intending to use them, then at least he's supporting the manufacturers and makers we all love.

Unless he buys up the last of a limited run knife I wanted to try out and missed out, I won't hold it against him.

I think you hit the nail on the head with this one since it goes both ways. Knife nuts who really like using "lower end" steels should not criticize those who use the higher end steels, and knife nuts who use higher end steels should no criticize those who use lower end steels. Makes sense to me -especially considering how weird we all are for owning more than a few knives that do the same thing.

 

[Ben Dover]

It's human nature to want something better than grandpa had! :thumbup:

Some folks are satisfied with flintlock rifles and open sights. I like AR-15s and FNH "SCARs" with tritium illuminated optics and MilDots.

Some are satisfied with a knife that has to be sharpened every time it's used.

OTOH, thank God there are some that aren't satisfied vwith a knive that has to be sharpened after 50 uses.

Progress happens only when people ARE NEVER SATISFIED WITH ANYTHING, NO MATTER HOW GOOD, BUT ALWAYS DEMAND SOMETHING BETTER TOMORROW!

 

[AF]

I've never found a razor sharp knife to be more useful than a dull as dirt knife.

That may be the craziest thing I've ever read on bladeforums.

 

[stoffi]

Have you tried the Spyderco Military?
The blade is full flat ground and distal tapered, which is the most effective cutting profile there is. The handle curves and arches in all the right places, and is especially suited for use with gloves or large hands.

If the Military is too big for you, try the Caly 3 or Stretch in ZDP-189. Either of those make an ideal EDC in the 3"-3.5" range.

I will try one of those as soon as I get the chance. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Kenny H.]

That may be the craziest thing I've ever read on bladeforums.

What I mean to say is that I've never found a task that needs some sort of super steel that will hold an edge forever. I'm all for maintaining sharpness, I'm all for using knives with good steel, but just like the sword community I think it's a little silly to stress over super steels like "L6 bainite".

Of course a sharp knife is more useful than a dull knife