Steel

[BRTATCK]

Aldo's 1084 and 1095 most of the time. I like 9260 for larger knives. However if I am going for hamon's, it will be Don's W-2. Good stuff, Thanks Don and thank you Aldo.
Brion

 

[Mike Krall]

Forging only... W2, O1, L6 for straight steel blades... W2/1080/15N20, O1/L6 for damascus... Oh, wire rope 'cause I love the pattern.

Mike

 

[Jason Magruder]

My favorite steel is cpm3v.
When I sharpen my knife I hate the stuff and wish I'd used cpm154, but everytime I baton it through a 2x4 with a framing hammer I fall in love all over again.

 

[Bryant Hollinger]

1080 because its what I can heat treat properly, Its also a great steel. Takes a great edge, holds it well and not hard to sharpen. I really like D2 but have to send it off for HT.

 

[DustinHall]

Thanks for everyones input. I haven't seen a thread like this so I figured I'd see what you all are workin' with. It's amazing how many types of steels there are. Is there one steel that is thought of to be the ultimate steel?

 

[panch0]

O1 and ats34 so far. Would like to try D2 and A2 soon.

 

[J-siah]

I use mostly 1095 and 5160. I tend to use 5160 a lot more, even for small knives, I just really like the stuff.

For CPM steels I like D2 and 154cm, I will probably try some s30v in the future. I also have some ats34 laying around that I am going to try but no thoughts on that yet.

-Josiah

 

[TekSec]

Is there one steel that is thought of to be the ultimate steel?

Totally depends on who you talk to. Every steel has it's own pro / con. Like O-1...great hardness, easy to grind but....rusts in a heartbeat if you don't maintain it.

 

[Kyle Royer]

W-1, W-2, 5160 and for my Damascus 1080 and 15N20.

 

[Steve Hayden]

A2 for forging and some stock removal.
D2 for stock removal.

I use some 1084, W1 and 52100 for forging, but really prefer the end product with A2.