The next big premium steel?

Artfully Martial

Artfully Martial

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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For quite some time now everyone used S30V as the go to steel on their high end knives. Now we've got five or so steels emerging in use. Will there be a standardized champion again down the road, and if so which? Or maybe each company will settle in with one or two of their own super-premium steels.
 
I'd be happy with a CPM M4 that has no rust or pitting possibilities.
As it is, I'm still very happy with M4.
M390 is fantabulous, but the trades I've participated in can rarely justify the use of stainless steels for things that cut.
Stainless is just too dang brittle when you gotta deliver results with tools that aren't prone to breaking under 'get the job done' scenarios.

me - 2 cents
 


I think Crucible's S35VN will prove to be the premium stainless of choice.

In carbon steel, M4 offers savage edge retention and 3V is the proven steel for toughness.


Just one man's opinion.




Big Mike
 
Steels like M390 and M4 are amazing, but I doubt that they'll become a standard due to the high machining costs. After all, S30V became the benchmark instead of S90V for that very reason. The best steels out now will most likely remain rare premium steels. The ones that could become mainstream will be minor improvements on S30V without too much added cost for the manufacturer. Something like S35VN or CTS-XHP.
 
The steels to watch are going to be S35VN, ELMAX and N690 for mainstream I believe.
 
Ankerson said:
The steels to watch are going to be S35VN, ELMAX and N690 I believe.
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with anything you mentioned but ELMAX.
ELMAX seems to be top notch, but can it compete with a decent carbon steel in an environment where results = food on the table?
I just want to know why I should opt for stainless when 'this and that' need to be done.

me - relatively clueless looking for a clue
 
termiteslayer said:
I'm not familiar with anything you mentioned but ELMAX.
ELMAX seems to be top notch, but can it compete with a decent carbon steel in an environment where results = food on the table?
I just want to know why I should opt for stainless when 'this and that' need to be done.

me - relatively clueless looking for a clue
Click to expand...


Yes, ELMAX is an excellent steel all the way around, very good for folders and fixed blades, very stainless and holds an edge very well.

For the Mainstream blades, mid range ect - S35VN and ELMAX

For Mainstream blades, lower cost - N690

Upper end will be steels like M390, Vanax 35, Vanax 75, S90V, S110V ect.

I am just guessing here though. :)
 
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