Steel Types

D

dtsoll

Joined
Dec 15, 2002
Messages
173
Hey,
You folks have probably forgotten more about knives than I'll ever know so here's my question. What type of steel is your favorite and why? If ya can let me in on the pros and cons of each. From what I'm gatherin the 420 that Buck uses, most of you don't like. I'm becoming exceedingly interested in steel types and their characteristics. So, what's yours and why? thanks for the forum, I love this place.
dtsoll
 
I like CPM-440V (forgot what they changed the name to), VG-10, AUS-8 (really easy to sharpen), ATS-34 and 440-C. There are a lot of other good steels but, these are the only ones I've had experience with.
 
my overall favorite steel is a well treated 440c. Easier than the others mentioned to sharpen, but still holds edge pretty nicely.
 
my current favourite is s60v
great edge retention, and a dmt stone takes care of all the fine sharpening
my 2nd would be subzero quenched 420, like the CS kobun
easily sharpened and still holds an edge well
 
Swamp Rat Knife Works' SR-101 is an incredibly good steel - holds an edge very well and isn't hard to resharpen.

ATS-34, 440C, VG-10 all perform well, even though they're not the latest innovations on the market.
 
I like 154CM/ATS-34, VG-10 and D-2 myself. I have experience with these steels and I like all of them.
 
My favorite steels are forged 52100 and wootz, but I also very much like 1084, 1095, O-1, A-2, 5160, W-1, W-2 and many of the pattern welded steels. The reason that I prefer these steels is that they can be forged and I have a preference for forged blades. Of course there are many other steels that can be forged, but these are the ones that I have had some experience with.

In stainless steels it all depends on the price of the knife I am getting. In a cheap knife I like 420HC and AUS-6A. I find both of these steels to be much underrated. In more expensive knives I like BG-42, D2 (not quite stainless, but what the heck, I'll put it here anyhow), VG-10, 440C, Damasteel and RWL-34.

There are quite a few steels that I have not tried yet that I am sure would be from good to great. CPM3V, CPM10V, S30V, 20CV, INFI, S60V and S90V are examples are examples of steels that I have never tried.
 
Wow.., that is a tough choice really. I think you will hear from many guys that bladesteel choices depend on specified uses.., various profiles (in some cases), and some fairly intengeable things like "just because I like it".. :)

I suppose if I had to be totally honest.., and pick a steel to save my a** across a wide variety of domains where consistent care, and the materials necessary for that care were not a worry, I would choose properly heat treated CPM S90V.., or S30V..., but my "favorite" blade steels are 52100, 5160.., and D2..., for some, or all.., of the reasons in the first paragraph.. :)


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
For stainless steel, I prefer CPM440V (aka CPMS60V) and VG-10.
 
Thank you Calyth,

I also love s60v and it seems to get such a bad rap. When HT'd right ( I'm thinking of my Kershaw Random Task ) it is simply awesome!!!

Dan
 
Yeah... with the exception of a few standby's there dosen't seem to be any end all steel. It's a question of use and preference.
 
Hi.

Our prefered materials/metals are:

#1: CPM 6150 (AISI: 6150) (non-stainless high carbon steel)
#2: CPM 10V (ASTM/AISI: A11) (partialy staniless wear resistant)
#3: CPM 440C or 440V (Great all around staniless steel)

The V's in CPM 10V and 440V stand for Vanadium which is a mineral
that dramaticaly improoves wear resistance.
 
my fav steel so far that I've tried is 440C (though I've never tried BG-42 or S30V yet)

I like 440C because it is tougher and more corrosion resistant than ATS-34/154CM (a steel which I feel is much over-hyped), while not being much softer than aforementioned steel.
440C is also pretty good about sharpening up to a real fine, consistent edge and keeping it consistent (something which some steels have a hard time with, CPM440V for example.)
 
I'm o.k. with AUS8A, ATS34 etc. I like D2, VG10, 440C. I'm very impressed with whatever Camillus is using in their Becker line. But, my absolute favorite is CPM 3V in a medium size blade with a very fine edge. That's outstanding.

Jack
 
Dstoll,

I'm quoting a recent post by Ethan Becker on the Camillus Forum (Kabar vs. BK7 thread):

"Hey Dan

Thanks for a great leading question. Most stainless steels that I am familiar with have only one thing to recommend them for cutlery applications ....they do not rust as rapidly as carbon steels. 440A has excellent mechanical qualities and is IMHO a decent performer . Better is 154CM from Crucible. The newest Crucible Tool Steels offer great promise, I really like CPM S30V
(When Chris Reeve goes bleeding BONKERS over something I listen very,very carefully). Some carbon tool steels have outstanding aggressiveness. You can feel the talons (OK,OK They are in reality carbides) ripping microscopically away !!!
I have a few Murray Carter kitchen knives that I use on a daily basis and they are of various Hitachi carbon steels and they outcut any stainless I am aware of(S30V may just be a real sleeper here... time will tell). In my experience if you get the most devoted stainless fan who has wide experience in the field drunk enough he will admit that stainless is mostly just prettier.
I have reasonably extensive using experience with several Carbon steels and of those, that , I think have both the mechanical strength as well as that really aggressive edge that I love so much Are:
0170-6C, A2, Carbon V, 1095, 4140 and D2.
I should also mention price differentials... 1095 , 4140 are both really inexpensive ( note I did NOT say cheap,) Jerry Fisk makes his knives from any damn thing he wants and he mostly wants 1095. A2 and D2 are a bit pricey more but still probably 1/4 that of say...440A and way less than a tenth of some of the better exotics. Mind that that el inexpensivo 1095 will out perform the expensive chromium blondes in aggresiveness, edge retention and ease of sharpening all day long.
Hope this helps....

All Best...

Ethan"

Ethan clearly prefers carbon steel over stainless, and I suppose he should know. Most of my experience has been with stainless, personally, so I can't comment much on the high carbon steels. I prefer 440C, or sub-zero quenched 440A, depending on the use and application. I am not a big fan of ATS-34 - it's harder to sharpen than the 440, not as corrosion resistant, and doesn't hold an edge much better than 440C. I generally prefer the stainless due to lower maintainence required. I've heard plenty of stories about high-carbon blades rusting in their sheaths (especially leather) in between periods of use. And you DON'T want to leave them the least bit wet. Doesn't work too well on float trips, or rainy camping days. Just my personal opinion.

Still, I trust Ethan is right that the high carbon holds its edge better. Seems if you want more agressive cutting action for stainless, you could use a coarser stone to sharpen...

All in all, I'd agree with the others that it depends on where and what you plan on using the knife for.

Dan
 
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