Steel for showing off (razor edge)

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Lennyo3034

Joined
Nov 27, 2012
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This is not a typical "which steel is best" question. I'm in the mood for a new knife, and while I'm happy with my current EDCs as users, I'm looking for a semi-gentleman's folder for social situations. However many of my friend, which not knife nuts like I am, carry knives and appreciate the sharp edges I can get on the edge pro. Therefore, I tend to like bringing knives that are razor sharp when going out. I'm looking for a steel that does well holding a razor sharp hair whittling edge. I know some steels (S30v, S90v) will lose their razor edge reletively quickly, but keep a really good working edge for a long time. I'm looking for the opposite. So far I've found that S35vn is decent at this as is M390, but am wondering if other people have experiences as well. I hear VG-10 holds it's razor edge reletively very well.
 
I'm looking for a steel that does well holding a razor sharp hair whittling edge.
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There is NO steel that will hold that type of edge for very long......
 
Ankerson said:
There is NO steel that will hold that type of edge for very long......
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I understand that. I'm not even looking for a steel that holds it the best. Rather, I'm looking for one that holds well relative to ease of sharpening. For example I've sharpened S90V to hair whittling sharp, and it stays that sharp longer than S35vn. However it takes me an order of magnitude longer to do vs S35vn. So for this purpose, I would choose S35vn over S90v.

This is a knife that will likely be sharpened often, but will mainly be used to cut arm hair and paper. Hence the knife for "showing off".
 
Yep, dulling from that level can be fairly rapid, depending on what is cut. The best thing to try may be getting something you are very familiar with and have had a lot of success sharpening for a while. If you want a reason to buy a new knife, and who doesn't, you can try M4 at relatively high hardness. I had good results from M2 at 64 to 66 HRc, but you'll have trouble finding a folder in that.
 
Lennyo3034 said:
I understand that. I'm not even looking for a steel that holds it the best. Rather, I'm looking for one that holds well relative to ease of sharpening. For example I've sharpened S90V to hair whittling sharp, and it stays that sharp longer than S35vn. However it takes me an order of magnitude longer to do vs S35vn. So for this purpose, I would choose S35vn over S90v.

This is a knife that will likely be sharpened often, but will mainly be used to cut arm hair and paper. Hence the knife for "showing off".
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There really isn't an accurate way to measure how long that level of sharpness lasts, I doubt even CATRA is accurate enough to do it....

That said a steel at or near max HRC hardness in the 63-67 range that is fine grained and have a good percentage of carbides would likely have the best chance....

But then the edge refinement would have to be right also...
 
Ankerson said:
You mean 13C26/AEB-L.......

Doesn't have the alloy content to be wear resistant enough though....
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Haha you would DEFINITELY know better than me, buddy :thumbup:

I think the OP would do well to take your advice.
 
I hear what you want although the info/advice above is all correct.

The steels I can readily get sharp and are easily restored are CPM3V and 154CM. Having said that M390 and S35VN aren't all that bad either.

Look for thin blades, that helps tremendously and may even outweigh the benefit of the type of steel.

The Benchmade Rift in 154CM and the Spyderco Military in CPM Cruwear (similar to 3V) will serve your needs very well.

I've heard VG10 will work well too (but have no experience) so the Spyderco Delica,Endura, Stretch should also work nicely.
 
grownstar said:
Haha you would DEFINITELY know better than me, buddy :thumbup:

I think the OP would do well to take your advice.
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I really don't know......

From what i have seen personally I would go with A11 at very high hardness.....

My reason for this is Vanadium carbides are very small and add to grain refinement.....

But then that would mean a custom knife.........
 
What about ZDP-189, Jim? Some of the sharpest knives I've encountered are from William Henry, and they seem to hold their edge for a long time.
 
bld522 said:
What about ZDP-189, Jim? Some of the sharpest knives I've encountered are from William Henry, and they seem to hold their edge for a long time.
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The Chromium Carbides are somewhat larger than the Vanadium Carbides, but yeah ZDP does a nice job, I have an Endura 4 that is 65 RC (Tested).
 
You better ask this question in general knife maker forums and you will get much more accurate answer.

The steel that will hold the razor edge IMO is the one that can heat treated to >60HRC hardness and still maintain high edge stability, low carbide and high toughness, something like low alloy carbon steel with 0.8-1.0% carbon content.
 
The CPM and other powder metal steels have smaller and more evenly distributed carbides .
To be precise vanadium doesn't refine grain but slows the formation of large grains.This is because vanadium likes to stay in the grain boundaries. Niobium on the other hand is more evenly distributed throughout the matrix.
 
shqxk said:
You better ask this question in general knife maker forums and you will get much more accurate answer.

The steel that will hold the razor edge IMO is the one that can heat treated to >60HRC hardness and still maintain high edge stability, low carbide and high toughness, something like low alloy carbon steel with 0.8-1.0% carbon content.
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The reason why I mentioned A11.... ;)

Very fine grained, very high compression strength and good toughness.....

I haven't personally seen another steel keep a high level of sharpness longer than A11...
 
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mete said:
The CPM and other powder metal steels have smaller and more evenly distributed carbides .
To be precise vanadium doesn't refine grain but slows the formation of large grains.This is because vanadium likes to stay in the grain boundaries. Niobium on the other hand is more evenly distributed throughout the matrix.
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That's what I ment, just didn't want to get too technical. :D
 
First thing that came to mind was AEB-L

Ive been researching it for 3 days and I'm really thinking about getting some just for giggles.
It's inexpensive, but the Heat Treat seems to be rather complicated, if you really want to squeek out the last bit of performance from it.
 
I own a 1095 Carbon steel Imperial Ireland camper friction folder. Holds a razor edge for a very long time. And dan easy to sharpen too. Couple dozen strokes on a Stone and you're good to go. I have EDCed that one knife for 4 years and counting.
Bottom line : l recommend 1095 carbon steel. If you prefer stainless steel then l should recommend 440c. I own a Robert PARRISH 8" survivor in that steel made in 1987. Holds an edge for months. Believe me. I've taken it with me to 7 hunting trips. Always serves me well.
 
Ankerson said:
The reason why I mentioned A11.... ;)

Very fine grained, very high compression strength and good toughness.....

I haven't personally seen another steel keep a high level of sharpness longer than A11...
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Any idea what the grain size is or where to find it?
 
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