The best steel for edge retention and sharpness

natecham

natecham

Joined
Jul 29, 2013
Messages
38
Hello fellers, I would like to pose a question that I have not been able to find on the for um. I want to know what steel(s) are insane for edge retention and I can put an amazing edge on. I am mostly looking for an EDC that I can sharpen a few times a year (it won't see much hard use maybe none) and put an edge on that is scary sharp. I would assume from my limited knowledge of blade steels that it would be high carbon, but I am pretty ignorant on the subject.
 
Go do a search for Ankerson, he has a thread on different knife steels and their edge retention cutting rope. On the upper right corner of the home page, you'll see a search box, in the box type Ankerson, I think either below or to the side, it says advanced search. That's the box you want.
 
I'm reluctant to answer because I think you are looking for pocket knife bragging rights and not a tool. I'm not trying to be a jerk even if I sound like it but so much more goes into a proper cutting tool than just the steel choice. How hard the steel is tempered the blade style and edge geometry etc etc etc
All in all I think you are probably looking for Cpm-s90v or ZDP189 for stainless and Cpm-M4 for carbon

There are many other excellent choices but these are available in production folders. I am not sure what your budget is but Spyderco is a good safe choice with the Gayle Bradley designed knives ( good value IMO) or they have several ZDP189 knives

If you want to carry a scalpel I suggest you get a good sharpening system or become super OCD like me a strop your blade before bedtime each night
 
I know what you mean, but no I am not really looking for bragging rights. I will not buy a knife that I am not willing to put through hell. It just happens that I do not have lot of everyday tasks that make it necessary to put significant stress on my knives that I guess comes from being in college. As for the sharpening I free hand my knives and get a razor sharp edge and then use my strop usually at least twice a day. What I have noticed is that the only high carbon knife I have takes a marginally keener edge. I free hand simply because to me it is much more enjoyable and I feel like I have more control over what I can do to the edge if I feel like I want to tweak it in a small way. Thanks for the response I looked in the CPM-M4 and I did not know from what I saw if it had superior edge retention or simply insane toughness.
 
M4 is really neat stuff it can be sharpened to a very sharp bevel and withstand damage while also being very wear resistant. Look up blade sport competition videos
If it were Stainless and easier to machine it would be a lot more common
 
mc556 said:
M4 is really neat stuff it can be sharpened to a very sharp bevel and withstand damage while also being very wear resistant. Look up blade sport competition videos
If it were Stainless and easier to machine it would be a lot more common
Click to expand...

Holy crap! That was amazing thank you for turning me on to that. I am astounded by how well the knives performed and how amazingly well they kept there edge after being beaten like that.
 
I personally like simpler steels, but I'm not gonna try to pull you away from what makes you happy. Just wanted to say to be careful, because questions like this can sap hours of your time really fast, and also make you think you need another half dozen knives, just for the steel! Not a bad thing, though... i guess that's why I'm here, really, haha.
 
I am over my Steel obsession and like simple choices now.
Honestly CPM-M4 was not hard to keep sharp on my DMT stones.
I make knives as a hobby and have my own heat treat equipment and generally use 52100 or 1084
I really like 1084 a lot it sharpens very easy and holds a respectable edge while being tough.
I will eventually make a personal knife with M4 but I've been told it is a belt burner.

S90v is pretty neat stuff but it's not for everyone as with everything in life there is always a trade off

For the OP. I think you might really like one of the Spyderco Gayle Bradley knives.
If you can find one they also did a Manix sprint run in CPM-M4.
I also think Benchmade has made or makes a few as well.
I don't know of any others that use it but I'm sure others would chime in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top