Steelophiles-what's so important about the type of steel?

I used to cut a lot of cardboard at work, and while I could have used a box cutter, using a knife was part of the fun. At that time I really noticed a significant difference in the performance of different steels and developed a preference both for thin, slicey blades and steels with very high wear resistance.

Now I don't do nearly as much of that and I care much less about both geometry and steel type, as I just don't really need peak knife performance in my day to day. I carry what I like pretty much regardless of cutting efficiency or materials used, and my focus is much more on build quality and designs that I, for whatever reason, think are cool.
 
I've recently switched from mostly 20CV or M390 pocketknives, to mostly 1095 pocketknives. Not because of the steel, but because the knives I want to carry come in 1095 (mostly I'm carrying GEC these days).

But I also miss how long the 20CV knives would stay sharp. I'm a casual EDC user, so my knife can usually make it through a whole day without getting too dull. But that's a luxury I enjoy.

If I was just a pure knife user (didn't care about the knives as anything but tools), then I think I would really want high-end steels. There really is a big difference in how long they stay sharp. It's odd to me when people choose lower-end steels and justify it as "it's just a tool". I'm willing to compromise on the performance (i.e., I need to sharpen more often) because I prefer the aesthetics of GEC knives.

-Tyson
 
Tyson A Wright said:
I've recently switched from mostly 20CV or M390 pocketknives, to mostly 1095 pocketknives. Not because of the steel, but because the knives I want to carry come in 1095 (mostly I'm carrying GEC these days).

But I also miss how long the 20CV knives would stay sharp. I'm a casual EDC user, so my knife can usually make it through a whole day without getting too dull. But that's a luxury I enjoy.

If I was just a pure knife user (didn't care about the knives as anything but tools), then I think I would really want high-end steels. There really is a big difference in how long they stay sharp. It's odd to me when people choose lower-end steels and justify it as "it's just a tool". I'm willing to compromise on the performance (i.e., I need to sharpen more often) because I prefer the aesthetics of GEC knives.

-Tyson
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Right? Always seemed backwards to me. If you want it simply as a tool, than shouldnt it be good at the job it is designed to accomplish which ostensibly is cutting things? Often its the cheaper steels that need to be loved more in order to perform. Even cheap stainless can zip through cardboard fairly good but you have to have a very regular strop and hone maintenance schedule. Something a non knife person just wont do.
 
Since I don't use any of the knives in my collection, I really don't care about the blade steel, except as it relates to the desirability and price of the knife.

The only knives that I use regularly are soft carbon/stainless steel kitchen knives (that are easy to sharpen w/a steel rod and/or carborundum stone) and razor box/utility cutters with easily replaceable/disposable blades.

I do have a Spyderco Sharpmaker (with every type of rod) and other sharpening devices, like a honing strap, but I hardly ever need to use them because I just don't use knives all that much.
 
I bought my third Maxamet folder today. I know what to expect from it. For me, the level of corrosion resistance is a non-issue. It patinas, but never rusts. Just looks cooler and cooler as time goes on.
Sharpening is also a non-issue with DMT plates and strops. It will get shaving sharp even without any sharpening skills.
Of course, edge retention is where Maxamet shines and what I am paying for. I do use my knives and it matters to me if I must sharpen a blade every second day or once a month. This means the blade in Maxamet will last twelve times longer, doing the same volume of work as the knife in need of sharpening every other day.
This makes Maxamet a very economical deal.
 
The other day a friend of mine was telling me how great the food is at a local gas station. Against my better judgment, I tried it and it was pretty bad. My friend, like the OP, just doesn’t have discriminating taste. At least my friend isnt condescending about his lack of taste.
 
I mostly look for something that will roll instead of chip, very rust resistant since I live in FL and sharpens easily.

M390, lc200n and s35vn/s45vn have become my go to in folders.

Cpm3v for fixed blades that don't get taken to the beach or rivers.
 
I have to come back to this thread when I can. It will be a great learning opportunity.
 
Srtr said:
I mostly look for something that will roll instead of chip, very rust resistant since I live in FL and sharpens easily.

M390, lc200n and s35vn/s45vn have become my go to in folders.

Cpm3v for fixed blades that don't get taken to the beach or rivers.
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You may want to take a look at David Boye knives. The BDC (Boye Dendritic Cobalt) blades are actually Stellite 6-B which is about half Chrome and half Cobalt. This stuff is very corrosion resistant and very wear resistant. They put it on the edge bulldozer blades. The edges will roll, but they are easy to restore.
 
I like edges that are hard to sharpen because wear resistance in is wear resistance out. I also like stainless blades because I don’t like hauling an oily rag around.
 
I'm not interested in so called super steels or ultimate edge holding. As long as a steel is tough, reasonably easy to sharpen and resists rust fairly well I'm happy. My sweet spot seems to be 14c28n and Aeb-l.
 
Did I hit nerve?
It dont' matter to me and I explained why.
If it matters to you great!
In the last four knives I bought steel was the last thing I was concerned with.
 
Price ?
Trendy makers ?
Aggressive unfair advertising ?

I live with old VG-1 and some 1045-95 pieces and I'm happy :^D
 
jideta said:
Did I hit nerve?
It dont' matter to me and I explained why.
If it matters to you great!
In the last four knives I bought steel was the last thing I was concerned with.
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It matters so little to you that you wrote a few paragraphs about it to brag about your lack of taste.
 
DMG said:
It matters so little to you that you wrote a few paragraphs about it to brag about your lack of taste.
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oh now you got to make it personal
If that's the case I think the problem is on your side.
Have a nice life.
 
It is certainly not just bragging rights.

High edge retention steels will cut order of magnitudes longer than basic steels like 1095.

There are often strength improvements to be had as well.

I still like 1095 and other steels like 5160, 52100, 01 15n20 for how easy it is to sharpen.

If I was cutting cardboard or rope all day, higher edge retention steels would be more important.

My most used steels are 1095, 5160, 420hc (buck), 12c27 from Opinel, 15n20, and AEBL.

All very easy to touch up, but not rock stars for edge retention.

I have CPM3V, D2, and many others.

Strangely enough, I don't have any super high edge retention steels.
 
It's all about wasting time on sharpening. I don't have a lot of time and can't afford to spend 30-45 mins every couple weeks sharpening something like 14c28n. When I do have 30-45 mins to spare, I need my knives to stay sharp for a good long while. Steels with high edge retention are time savers. When you are retired and alternate between crossword puzzles and Jeopardy, I guess putting in a bunch of time on 14c28n or ABE-L makes little difference.
 
Bigfattyt said:
It is certainly not just bragging rights.

High edge retention steels will cut order of magnitudes longer than basic steels like 1095.

There are often strength improvements to be had as well.

I still like 1095 and other steels like 5160, 52100, 01 15n20 for how easy it is to sharpen.

If I was cutting cardboard or rope all day, higher edge retention steels would be more important.

My most used steels are 1095, 5160, 420hc (buck), 12c27 from Opinel, 15n20, and AEBL.

All very easy to touch up, but not rock stars for edge retention.

I have CPM3V, D2, and many others.

Strangely enough, I don't have any super high edge retention steels.
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Isn’t 3V a super high edge retention steel?
 
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