-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Steels you never (or never again) intend to buy. And why?
- Thread starter LostCause
- Start date
Heh. Even more potentially adequate knives are held back by their owners/users.
1095 and similar carbon steels cut everything I want them to cut, and take a keen edge easy. Keep your stainless.
Parker
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2001
- Messages
- 27,373
Heh. More for me.
I don’t turn my nose up at much anymore. Only thing I won’t buy is a design that doesn’t appeal to me.
gazz98
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2008
- Messages
- 5,365
It is important to note that all steels aren't equal. Heat treat plays a big part and some companies do it better than others. Ex. Bucks 420HC > rest.
It is fair to say I have moved past 440a, 440b, 8Crxxxx, 420j, Aus 6, amongst others.
You can get 14C28N, D2, and other steels starting at $30+ nowadays. I would still consider Aus8 since it is found on the $20 Kabar Dozier and entry level Ontarios (Rat 1/2, Utilitac).
Nothing wrong with 1095 on a fixed blade. I probably wouldn't grab it for a folder tbh.
It is fair to say I have moved past 440a, 440b, 8Crxxxx, 420j, Aus 6, amongst others.
You can get 14C28N, D2, and other steels starting at $30+ nowadays. I would still consider Aus8 since it is found on the $20 Kabar Dozier and entry level Ontarios (Rat 1/2, Utilitac).
Nothing wrong with 1095 on a fixed blade. I probably wouldn't grab it for a folder tbh.
luethge
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2017
- Messages
- 5,522
L
LostCause
- welcome to Blade forums.
Unsolicited opinion for no reason to start - I heavily prefer Carbon tool steels, and fixed blades. Folders are a different story all together. I never intended to get anything with M390, 20CV or 204 P. I wound up with many knives in the M390 Gene family - never again. Maybe I got 11 crappy hinderers, the steel felt “mushy” ( Nathan the machinist quote ). I have a ZT 0562 in 20CV that blows the hinderers away in edge retention. Another steel I tried because I like the aesthetics of the knife was CTS-XHP, I love that stuff and plan to get more of it. My experience with XHP is a good one ( Curtiss / Les George ).
I should not judge M390 based on one makers use of it it though. I’m sure if it’s properly heat treated it’s excellent.
154CM and CPM154 seem to be perfect for my uses in a folder. Classic steel imo.
Unsolicited opinion for no reason to start - I heavily prefer Carbon tool steels, and fixed blades. Folders are a different story all together. I never intended to get anything with M390, 20CV or 204 P. I wound up with many knives in the M390 Gene family - never again. Maybe I got 11 crappy hinderers, the steel felt “mushy” ( Nathan the machinist quote ). I have a ZT 0562 in 20CV that blows the hinderers away in edge retention. Another steel I tried because I like the aesthetics of the knife was CTS-XHP, I love that stuff and plan to get more of it. My experience with XHP is a good one ( Curtiss / Les George ).
I should not judge M390 based on one makers use of it it though. I’m sure if it’s properly heat treated it’s excellent.
154CM and CPM154 seem to be perfect for my uses in a folder. Classic steel imo.
Last edited:
JWright214
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2009
- Messages
- 1,003
XHP is good stuff, probably my favorite stainless for a folder.
luethge
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2017
- Messages
- 5,522
It Cuts for days, easy to maintain, no issues with rust. Knock on wood - I haven’t had it chip on me yet. I’m definitely a fan.
Since this thread needs pics - here’s my edc. Hands down my favorite folder. Sold off most of mine after using this one.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2017
- Messages
- 9,113
S110V. Way too chippy for my personal uses.
Last edited:
Alone
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2021
- Messages
- 3,184
I can't say that I'll never buy it again, but will probably not seek-out A2 anytime soon. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't pass-up a design I really liked if it was in A2. As I typed, I just wouldn't go looking for an A2 knife. I don't necessarily hate the stuff. I'm just not in love with it.
S30V is right there with it...except, unlike A2, I have a pretty strong dislike for it.
The reason for both of the above is that I just can't get the edge I like with 'em.
*The "1095" thing caught me off guard. Man, I can't imagine a world without 1095. (*at least my world) My life would be a barren desert without the stuff.
S30V is right there with it...except, unlike A2, I have a pretty strong dislike for it.
The reason for both of the above is that I just can't get the edge I like with 'em.
*The "1095" thing caught me off guard. Man, I can't imagine a world without 1095. (*at least my world) My life would be a barren desert without the stuff.
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2021
- Messages
- 9,930
I've got a pair of Manix 2s with that steel. I've had ZERO problems with them!
It holds an edge for almost TOO long!
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2001
- Messages
- 27,373
Nice! What is it?
I’m of the same mindset as you - fixed blades are my jam. I’d much rather carry a fixed blade than a folder.
No matter what I’ve tried carrying for folders here lately, nothing has been able to kick my Super Freek out of my pocket. That M4 is a cutting machine. Ever tried it? I bet you’d dig it.
Joseph Bandeko
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2021
- Messages
- 1,372
8cr13mov! (and I would imagine anything below that as well) I have a Kershaw that is in the 8cr and I hate it! if I wanted to keep it sharp I would literally have to sharpen it every day 
of course I don't carry it though, so I don't have that problem! and I don't have any interest in buying a blade in it ever again, it's just not worth it!
of course I don't carry it though, so I don't have that problem! and I don't have any interest in buying a blade in it ever again, it's just not worth it!
luethge
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2017
- Messages
- 5,522
Nice! What is it?
I’m of the same mindset as you - fixed blades are my jam. I’d much rather carry a fixed blade than a folder.
No matter what I’ve tried carrying for folders here lately, nothing has been able to kick my Super Freek out of my pocket. That M4 is a cutting machine. Ever tried it? I bet you’d dig it.
AntDog - Nice Super Freek. Excellent knife ! M4 is great.
That post you asked about.. CTS-XHP. The knife pictured is a old Curtiss F3
Landshark99
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2007
- Messages
- 908
Right about the Super Freek it has a really nice blade, I only have one knife with CTS-XHP, like it a lot, overall there are not many steels in my collection I would not buy again, maybe VG-10 in a folder, it is ok with a kitchen knife
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2013
- Messages
- 331
Ive found most steels in the right hands can be incredible. That being said, there are a few I won’t go near because even with the best treatment they are still genuinely terrible at edge holding capability with nothing to gain in return. Primarily o1, h1 and 8cr13mov. O1 even at 61+ hrc can go dull just sheathing it wrong. H1 because it’s very outdated nowadays. 8cr13 because its trash that became the budget standard even when there’s so many other better options.