Steels that your opinions changed on?

dkb45

dkb45

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2012
Messages
4,458
Most of us have tried out a lot of steels. It takes a minute, but once you get a good feel for a steel, you know if you like it or not. Sometimes, though, your opinions change wildly. I'm curious if anybody else has had this happen.

I used to almost detest S30V. Wouldn't hold a keen edge for more than a sneeze worth of cutting, not even the hair popping 600 grit edge would stay. Found out diamond stones and strops were the solution. Since I've started using those, S30V went from one of my least favorite steels to something I respect the hell out of, I can see why it's the go to starter super steel.

I've also had an opinion go the other way. M390 and kin, started out with it being described as Elmax but higher edge retention, and I already loved Elmax. With light use, it seemed great, and performed a lot like S30V but was easier to sharpen, and still held an edge longer with heavy use. Then I started using all diamonds, and S30V started to shine, but M390 stayed exactly the same. Keen edge lost almost immediately, working edge held for a good while, but there's an immediate loss of ease of cutting. I don't hate the steel now, but I don't hold it in the same regard as all the other super steels, I really just prefer less tendency to working edges and a linear dulling scale.
 
Used to hate D2(Like actually passionately hate), got diamonds and now I don't mind it. VG-10 went from "this is the greatest stuff ever" to "ehh". S30V and S110V seemed great when I first got them but nope; S30V imo is not a great and I'd rather have N690 or probably even 440C. S110V isn't for me because it loses that screaming sharp edge I love almost instantly.
 
I used to think 1075 carbon steel wasn’t that great. Then the more I used it I realized how tough it is and easy to repair.

Same thing with 8cr13mov (in folders). I sort of had an idea it was inferior until I started actually using more often. Very easy to sharpen.
 
For me it is 8cr13mov. I had never used before but with the all the negative about it i simply avoided it. Then I bought a kershaw cryo. The blade on that knife held a really good edge for awhile and was super easy to put a razor edge on it.
S30v is another. I've had 2 knives with s30v and wasn't impressed with either. Not worth the pain to sharpen vs edge holding ability. It's interesting to see everyone's thoughts on this kinda stuff
 
There are several steels that I didn’t enjoy until I learned how to sharpen them. How acute, what abrasive, what level of finishing. Notably D2, s110v, and other hard carbide forming steels.
 
I bought a few higher end steels (S30V, S35VN, S90V, M4, M390, C20V, Hap40, etc) before trying the older standby's. I used to skin bark off of fallen or cut branches to check for hot spots on handles and see what to expect from the different steels.

The Opinel #8 & #9 in 1095 really openned my eyes. Now I often carry Buck's 420HC and appreciate how quickly and easily it sharpens.
 
I used to think, "why bother" with mid grade steels like 154cm, VG-10, N690, 14c28n, etc. Now its my favorite grade of steels for users, good enough edge holding combined with ridiculously easy maintenance is fantastic for me. The really keen edge you can achieve is super satisfying to me, plus you can teach non knife people to sharpen those still.

I used to love S90v and S110v, and still do in the proper application, but for daily users I have moved far away from them due to the time it takes to resharpen if you let them get even semi dull. I'd rather do touch ups every few days then spend a half hour on the knife every month. Totally subjective preference admittedly, but thats mine.
 
S30V and 154CM come to mind. I have grown to appreciate each of them more and more. In fact, now I carry folders like Protech and Spyderco that use these steels more than any others. These days I look for steels that are well balanced between toughness, edge holding, and corrosion resistance. I don't value any one of those characteristics over the others. I also like steels that are tried-and-true... steels that I have some history with so I'm familiar with what they can do and how I can maintain them. I have knives in newer steels that many consider "superior", but in my world, these two SS, along with Cru-Wear, do everything I need the way I want it done.
 
Two spring readily to mind:

1) BD1 - I really liked sharpening it and loved the edge but I convinced myself it was just too soft. I think I let the internet get in my brain some. So I decided to really give it a chance and man, i ended up loving the stuff in an EDC folder! So easy to maintain and in reality, with good geometry, it slices along for a good long while.

2) ZDP-189 - Man, I wanted a Delica in this steel sooooo badly! When I finally got diamond stones for my KME I took the plunge. It is for sure a fascinating steel and I understand why people are enamored with it but now having owned it, no thanks. I have no need for what has been for me, a very stubborn and finicky steel to sharpen. Especially when there are so many good choices out there.

More and more, my general preferences lean further and further to "softer" steels.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vba
I’ve had an interesting, but likely common journey with 8cr13mov. Two of my first three modern folders used it. I had no frame of reference, and did nothing for edge maintenance. I used the hell out of them for a about two years each (each one daily for two years, over a four year period). With nothing to compare them to, I thought they were great.

Then, I discovered the Internet sites. I got a ZT 0566 to be my new daily driver. Quickly realized how much better it held an edge, and was reminded of what it felt like to use a sharp blade. Naturally, I decided that 8cr13mov was trash.

Eventually, I realized I had to get into sharpening. I got a Sharpmaker to start, as many of us do. I decided to learn on my junk knives. That was quick and easy, so I transitioned to the ELMAX. No problem. Barely took longer. I was now even more convinced that 8cr13mov was trash.

But, then I got an Edge Pro and decided to learn to do a bit more.

I now appreciate the hell out of 8cr13mov. My Persistence is the last knife I have below $100, and it’ll be with me forever. It’s basically retired, but I love it.
 
So far, I have tried 1095, ATS-34, VG-10, N690, D2, CPM-M4, ZDP-189, CTS-XHP, ELMAX, M390, S30V, S35VN, and LC200N.

There were some preferences before.
M390, M4, and ZDP seemed best for polished edges to me.

But since I started to put rather coarse edges (#150~220) on all of my knives, I am happy with all of them.
 
Kind of as a general statement of the class but I've more less completely avoided simple carbon steels for anything beyond machetes and big choppers and was only interested in stainless. I got into traditionals and GEC especially and changed my opinion though I've had some 1095 that reinforced my evasion for it for a small folder or fixed blade too. HT and design are important apparently.

52100 was one that I tried and didn't like because it rusted fast on me (see above). After learning that a little oil goes a long way, it's tough as heck and holds a nice edge I love it. Kind of getting similar feelings with 5160 after owning an HI kuhkri and now have several bucks and ontarios in 5160 for heavier use. The edges don't just fall off like I felt some of my early carbon steel knives did (probably from oxidation at the edge) so I kind of wrote it off that if they didn't have an thick edge like an axe then they couldn't support the edge but it didn't take too much reading after joining the forum to correct my mistakes.
 
When looking at knives, I generally enjoy seeing the following on the specs sheet:

For folders:
- M390
- 20CV
- M4
- ZDP-189
- XHP
- S35vn

For fixed blades:
- 1095, I'm a big fan, not a whole you can't do with it.
- 3V
- SR101 (and I suppose INFI if I ever got something made in it)

That said, the steel that has most surprised me is Emerson's 154cm. It's run a tad soft, sure, but it's easy to sharpen and takes a screaming edge. All you ever hear is how this steel is trash, yet, it's actually pretty good. I don't generally look for knives in anything other than the steels I listed above, but Emerson gets a pass from me. I also don't mind inexpensive folders in D2 or AUS-8 if it's just going to be a light use, "throw into a bag/center console in case I forgot a knife that day" sort of thing.

I would say that I generally am not let down by steels, because I try to do research first before buying a knife in that particular steel, so I can have an idea of what I'm in for.
 
H1.

Been reading all the comments saying its a no go in plain edge for years. You'd think it would dull whittling a stick reading all those comments..

Then I tried it for myself in a Salt 2. It holds an edge just fiiiine.. It was a refreshing experience to EDC a folder all summer, gutting fish and just rinsing the knife the sea after with no worries.

Beeing able to EDC even in my swimshorts! :D
 
Last edited:
Like many have posted before, I've also warmed up to steels that are easy to sharpen over the newest/toughest/hardest of the year.. with two exceptions-

(Downgraded) VG10- used to love it and stood up for it when people complained it wasn't fancy enough. Now I've grown tired of having to strop it before seemingly each use.

(Upgraded) Hap40- far other end of the spectrum here. While I usually prefer softer/easier to sharpen steels, my Hap40 Delica has stayed so sharp for so long that re-sharpening doesn't have to be easy. I carried this one pretty much daily for most of the past year and it's shaving sharp with one touch up and a handful of stroppings. Now I can compare it's domestic cousin, Rex 45.
 
For me I would say S30V.
I had it on my first benchmade and loved it. But then I started hating resharpening. But that was before I knew about stropping. So that's likely why.

Fast forward to my first kitchen knives. CPM S30V. I used Peter's heat treating and had them hit 61HRC. And holy crap was I blown away. Great edge holding, still tough enough for a kitchen knife. Once a year sharpening for a client. They love it, so I love it.

Personally I would prefer Zfinit/lc200n or 20CV for the kitchen but that's besides the point.

154CM I have always loved. My first leatherman multi tool had that steel blade and was awesome. Then I had a benchmade nim cub 2. Same steel. Blown away with how it held up. I used CPM 154 for a kitchen knife before too. Exellent results.

S90V on the other hand. I hate resharpening it. And I hate making knives with it. But I love the toothy edge it holds forever.


3V used to be tough for me to work with when I started making. I loved how tough it was and how sharp it got. I stuck with it and now it's my favorite steel overall. Just an impressive steel.
 
dkb45 said:
Found out diamond stones and strops were the solution. Since I've started using those, S30V went from one of my least favorite steels to something I respect the hell out of, I can see why it's the go to starter super steel.
Click to expand...
Yes that's me too. It comes in very impressive in the Ankerson rope cutting tests given a chance with some hardness and thin grind :thumbsup: I haven't had any chipping problems. From what I had heard I should have. I never even tried cutting wire ties with it but did use it quite often on other challenging materials and it did quite well over a long period.

The one that surprised me was N690. I thought it was going to be gummy old stainless that it's only saving grace was it won't rust. Boy was I wrong. Nice to sharpen and held up quite well.
I may as well post photos of the knives; we like pics . . .
I enjoy these two users a whole lot !
IMG_5237.jpg
IMG_5240.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: vba
S35VN.
When I first started getting into knives I had some issues with S35VN, and wound up jumping into things like S110V & 204p shortly thereafter, as they were “superior” steels.

I’ve since come to really appreciate S35VN for it’s “all-aroundness.” While I love me some XHP and still dig m390 stuff, if all I had was S35VN for the rest of my life, I’d probably be ok with it.

Retrospectively, my initial struggles with S35VN were likely more related to the edge grind than the steel.
 
Last edited:
440c. Thought it was de la lame but now I realize it isn’t a bad steel at all. Jay Fisher’s endorsement of it caused me to reconsider and take another look at it.

I have liked aus8 and 8cr13mov, so why didn’t I like 440c? Probably because I was listening to people who were bashing it and that was colouring my opinion negatively. In truth it isn’t a bad steel at all.

As for s30v I quite liked it at first but after having it chip out on a few knives I have grown to dislike it. It seems alot of what makes s30v good or bad depends on the heat treatment.

Now that we have s35vn which I consider to be better than s30v it is hard to be excited for s30v.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top