Steel for a True Everyday Folder

G

Gene K

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Aug 21, 2008
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I'm not sure this is the correct forum but I want the opinions of makers so here it is.

If you were going to make a normal general use everyday folder for real use: Not extreme use, doesn't have to hold an edge for decades at a time and should be capable of taking an edge from a mere mortal, what steel would you use?

I find I'm attracted to knives made of CTS-XHP lately. They seem to hold an edge, have good toughness and I can actually put an edge on it.

Am I missing out on some better options?

P.S. I figured I would ask the guys who would know.
 
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XHP is a great choice. Also look at AEB-L and Nitro-V. I also like 3V but it is a little more extreme. CPM-154 is not the hot stuff lately but it is awesome. Many to choose from...
 
I have a RWL34 edc (cpm154) I'm very happy with.
But my advice would be diamond sharpeners so you can get any steel sharp.
Aliexpress has them for little money
 
right now i have M4 in my pocket but the last one i made myself wass 204P and that will likly be what i go back to cause of rust when gardening with the M4
 
440C, 154cm, AEB-L, any of the sandvik steels... etc, take your pick. As long as the heat treat and geometry are on point, I think you'll find any of them make a good knife.
 
Hengelo_77 said:
I have a RWL34 edc (cpm154) I'm very happy with.
But my advice would be diamond sharpeners so you can get any steel sharp.
Aliexpress has them for little money
Click to expand...

Im sometimes away from the home for weeks at a time and need the ability to touch up an edge in the field.

I didn't find S110V a pleasant experience under those circumstances. CTS XHP on the other hand seems surprisingly easy to touch up with a simple Arkansas Pocket Stone.

I'll admit I don't really understand how some steels can be relatively easy to sharpen yet more resistant to wear while cutting. I find XHP easier to sharpen than BD1 yet it last so much longer.

I will have to try CPM 154. I have used 154 CM a lot but never the CPM.
 
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Drew Riley said:
440C, 154cm, AEB-L, any of the sandvik steels... etc, take your pick. As long as the heat treat and geometry are on point, I think you'll find any of them make a good knife.
Click to expand...


My experience (not much to speak of) would agree. I have had some surprisingly (to me) good experiences with 420HC and BD1 but XHP was a revelation (Long lasting doesn't have to mean almost impossible to field sharpen) and was wondering what other steels might be capable of "Magic".
 
Take a diafold diamons sharpener with you
It only needs a bit of water, no oil
 
I like aeb-L and Nitro-V. I want something that can get wicked sharp easily. I pretty much just strop it when is starts to not cut as well. I rarely take a knife I've made to a stone anymore .
 
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