The BEST knife steel

I'd have to say Rostfrei is right up near the top of my list... although whatever Schrade was using back in the '60's is still working fine for my use on my stockman. :D
 
For the way I use knives, and the sizes I prefer, it's D2 for folders, and CPM3V for fixed.
 
Les George makes a terrific FB in 3V, of course so does Shane Sibert.

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I think M390 would be the best general purpose premium steel, something to replace CPM-S30V. Good corrosion resistance, good toughness(tends to roll rather than chip), high wear resistance, relatively easy to sharpen. Rc 60-62.

Best of all, it's easier to get ahold of than S90V, so presumably it's easier to machine as well.
 
I still wish BG 42 was more readily available to us as in being used by more makers.


Also, buy your steel from Aldo The NJ Steel Baron!


:cool:
 
Folderguy said:
Ankerson says Cold Steel does a really nice heat treat on AUS8... It works fine for me.
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Me too - I really like AUS8. My 7" blade CS Bush Ranger had AUS8 with a convex grind and kind of a spring quality to it. Kraton handle w/full tang - very light and scary sharp, a great fighting knife.

I like S30V and don't get why so many are trying to replace it with other steels. I like CPM 154 a lot too. It sharpens almost as easily as AUS8 but seems a lot harder. S30V seems very hard and takes more work to get a great edge - at least from Benchmade. :)
 
At the Chicago Knife Expo, I met and spoke with Ernest Emerson at length about blade steels.

The long and short of our conversation was this. He mostly uses 154 for his knives. Why? Well, until something REALLY better comes along, he's not going to switch steels. If something REALLY better than 154 comes out, well.... perhaps.

He told me that most cannot really tell the difference in any case. And instead of continually chasing the latest steel out, he'll stick with 154. Why? Well, his reputation for one thing.

He also told me he doesn't enter too many competitions for the best knife of the year and so on. IMHO, he doesn't need to, as his reputation for quality is already very well established. Not trying to derail this thread, but just wonder how many award winning knives actually go on to be really successful in the marketplace.

In any case, 154 is alright by me. So is S30V, and AUS8 for that matter.
 
I really don't have a "best", but some of my favorites are BG42, S30V, D2 and INFI. They all hold an edge well, and are fairly easy to sharpen.
 
Ken44 said:
I really don't have a "best", but some of my favorites are BG42, S30V, D2 and INFI. They all hold an edge well, and are fairly easy to sharpen.
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I agree with you, Ken! On 3 of those 4 :D
 
adamantium for everything :) but seriously cant go wrong with s30v for folders or infi for fixed blades. I really want to try that NiTinol with the rockwell hardness of 65, and im waiting to try out the s35vn when/if it comes out on chris reeve's line up of folders.
 
The best compromise for my uses is 1095. It's tough enough for larger blades. Holds an edge well enough for small blades. It's readily available at a modest cost. If I had to pick just one steel for everything, forever, that would be it.

Frank
 
2 Of the best steels for folders are CPM-154 and M390 IMO. :thumbup:
 
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