the best and the worse steel types ?

enderwiggin said:
The further up you go in the list, the longer the edge will last on your knife.

S30V
VG-10
154 CM
ATS34
440C
SANDVIK 13C26
8CR14MOV
8CR13MOV
AUS8
AUS6
AUS4
440A
Click to expand...

I would modify that sequence somewhat.
Assuming good heat treat, I would list it as:
S30V
VG-10
154 CM, ATS34
440C
SANDVIK 13C26
8CR14MOV, 8CR13MOV, AUS8,
AUS6, 440A
AUS4

I found the edge retentions of steels I have placed on the same line to be so similar that I could not differentiate them by that performance characteristic when performing side-by-side cutting comparisons. I am unsure of the placement of the SANDVIK as I have never tested any.
 
knarfeng said:
I would modify that sequence somewhat.
Assuming good heat treat, I would list it as:
S30V
VG-10
154 CM, ATS34
440C
SANDVIK 13C26
8CR14MOV, 8CR13MOV, AUS8,
AUS6, 440A
AUS4

I found the edge retentions of steels I have placed on the same line to be so similar that I could not differentiate them by that performance characteristic when performing side-by-side cutting comparisons. I am unsure of the placement of the SANDVIK as I have never tested any.
Click to expand...


Let's try something like
ZDP-189
S90V
S30V
VG-10
CPM154
ATS34
H1
154CM
SANDVIK 13C26
8CR14MOV, 8CR13MOV, AUS8,
440C
AUS6, 440A
AUS4

:thumbup:
 
I found that 440C clearly outperformed AUS8 and its Chinese cousins in edge retention in side-by-side comparisons cutting manila rope. All were hardened to 59 HRC.
 
knarfeng said:
I found that 440C clearly outperformed AUS8 and its Chinese cousins in edge retention in side-by-side comparisons cutting manila rope. All were hardened to 59 HRC.
Click to expand...

I agree. 440C is highly underrated today and I find that I like it's 'toothy' edge.
 
Eazy_tom said:
S90V should be above ZDP-189.
H1 should be above AUS8.
Click to expand...

Well, I haven't owned any ZDP, so I just figured it was higher. :o Because H1 work hardens, doesn't that increase edge retention? I figured it was in the same 154CM/ATS-34 range....:confused:
 
It does, but due to the low wear resistance (read, low carbide %) of the steel that only gets you so far. ZDP and S90v are two different beasts, both at the top of the edgeholding class for now. ZDP does this by being a very clean and super hard simple stainless alloy, around 66-67 Rc. S90V has ridiculous carbide content, making it ultra wear resistant, but not as hard. Depending on what you're cutting either could theoretically come out ahead.
 
Josh K said:
I guess I've just never found any use for it. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Why the roll-eyes?

What knives have you tried in 440C? Were they real US-made 440C or pseudo-440C made in China?
 
Would it be OT to ask why there has been no discussion of geometry? Any really good maker can take 440A and make it out-perform 75-80% of the knives on the market with the top 3-4 steels listed.
 
i haven't found strider s30v any more difficult to sharpen than other s30v knives.
Click to expand...

In my experience the Strider S30V and the Spyderco S30V are easier to sharpen than the Sebbies - don't feel quite as hard especially in dealing with that wire edge.
 
Josh K said:
Well, I haven't owned any ZDP, so I just figured it was higher. :o Because H1 work hardens, doesn't that increase edge retention? I figured it was in the same 154CM/ATS-34 range....:confused:
Click to expand...

H1 should eventually get there, but only after many many sharpenings.
 
Josh K said:
440C is not right below ATS-34. It should be right above AUS-6. ;)
Click to expand...

Did you get a knife in 440C with a bad heat treat or something? I'm rather surprised at your low opinion of 440C.

I've got 4 knives in 440C, and I've had great luck with all of them. In fact, I tend to prefer it over ATS-34/154CM because it's edge holding is only a little bit less and it's significantly more stainless. It definitely (and easily) outperforms SANDVIK 13C26, 8CR14MOV, 8CR13MOV, and AUS8 in edge-holding.

Also, as much as I love H1 (my EDC has been a Spyderco Salt 1 for the past 3+ years), it's edge-holding is more comparable to AUS-8 in my experience, definitely not quite on the same level as 440C and ATS-34/154CM.
 
radu, how/what kind of work do you plan on doing, can you sharpen, and what is your sharpening equipment.

Barrabas said:
In my experience the Strider S30V and the Spyderco S30V are easier to sharpen than the Sebbies - don't feel quite as hard especially in dealing with that wire edge.
Click to expand...
CRK hardens S30V a few points lower than typical. I've found soft steels (not specific work with S30V) to be hard to sharpen because of a persistent burr.

.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top