thoughts and recommendations

[strategy9]

My 2 cents, sweet and simple, if you see a knife you like that is made by a reputable maker, and coming from a reputable source, then just buy it and try it.

Save a couple bucks sometimes if you buy used here on the exchange, and many models don't lose all that much of their value going between used and slightly more used, so no real loss if they don't tickle your fancy.

Just saying, you already have experience with other higher ended steels, so it's not like you're just a novice jumping into the wilderness with no idea what you're getting into. If you used the search, you already read enough info and opinion pieces on each. Nobody else's opinion at this point will mean much of anything next to your own personal opinion with your own experiences.

 

[GB940Rookie]

One thing I like about M4 and other steels with high toughness is that they allow the manufacturer to create blade profiles that are fairly thin behind the edge without too much worry about chipping.
Thin behind the edge, in my experience, aids in the amount of time spent sharpening also.
My Gayle Bradley folders and their thin behind the edge blade grinds will cut like light sabers.

 

[22-rimfire]

I am pretty much in the same boat in terms of super steels and steels used for knives. I can do everything I want to with low end "super steels" that have become non-super. The only reason I would get something above M390 is just because I'm a knife knut and M4 is a good start.

 

[Colorodo]

I really like my ZT0770CFM4 and they are still available.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I've researched nearly all of the steels that have been mentioned and understand the benefits that each offers over others and the best uses for different steels ... as far as the reading about them goes ...

I was just curious to hear from forum members that have used some of them if they believed the benefits were worth the extra cost or in some cases the extra time it may take to sharpen etc ...

and I use the term "super steels" with the quotations because I am somewhat with GatorFlash1 ... I think the term gets used alot and for alot of steels that are so different sometimes it really doesn't make sense to me personally ...

but I guess they throw in the higher edge retention steels or extra tough steels all inclusive in it ... steels that are really good at something it seems ...

And I understand its a very individual thing for each person which they may consider a super steel or if it's worth the extra costs or time ... I just hoped to hear real life experiences of what people thought that use them ... like MolokaiRider and Dangerously and a few have stated they real experience uses ...

I guess for me I have a few M390 and D3V or 3V and I have used M4 ... I do like all of these for different knives ...

but even after using them they fit into a speciality role at something and have some benefits over an older simple high carbon steel ... yes side by side for somethings they put perform others but most seem to have a trade off also ...

and maybe it's just that as I said for my uses I've kind of hit the point of deminishing returns an although they have a benefit ... I can do any and everything they do with old sinplier steels ... with a noted exception of D3V and 3V for choppers the few I have are tough and hold a great edge ... and M390 has shown me in some uses it's a value for me even if it costs extra ... M4 again I will try more it seemed to have benefits that for me were worth a premium ...

the S90V S110V Cruwear Maxemet and some other I have no experience with so asked for yours ...

and I'm not putting anyone or any of the steels down they have a place and a use or they wouldn't be so popular ... and progress always moves forward to new things ...

I appreciate everyones responses ... and they kind of leaned me more in the direction I was feeling and why I created this thread ... and that for me is I don't need a knife to not need sharpened for months or even weeks ... I do find value in the toughness of some as I do alot outdoors camping trail riding etc ... stainless or non stainless makes very little difference to me I try to maintain my knives well ...

It's just good to hear real life experiences over researching and reading charts and graphs and what a steel should do ... I put more stock in that than the charts.

Thanks everyone - JJ

 

[91bravo]

Now, I haven't done a heavy reprofile on the supersteels you've mentioned. I have heavily reprofiled and sharpened s35vn. So take what a say knowing that.

I've had no problem bringing back m390 with touching up. Same with its equivalents. I found s110 to touch up about the same but I didn't have that pm2 that long. I did have to put a tip back on it, damaged from the previous owner. I easily did it on a simple norton stone. For whatever reason s90v was a bit harder to get an edge back. I don't know if I let it get too dull or if I wasn't hitting the microbevel (first time having a blade with one). I took it to the work sharp and it came right back.

In general, I would say if you can handle m390 or it's variants, you should be fine with the other steels you are interested.

That said, if I could get all my knives in D3v from Nathan, I likely would. Toughness is extreme and edge retention is awesome. Stain resistance is perfectly acceptable. And even after days of wood processing, the edge comes right back with minimal effort.

How does that s35vn work for you now that you've thinned the edge out? I'm just wondering if it would chip out, or roll/dent at a thin edge angle. I personally haven't had any chipping, but rolling of s35vn in my CRKs.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I understand your point if view but I'm not one thats tries and sells alot of knives ... I like to find out what would serve my needs best before buying ... and yes everyone has favorites and opinions but I've learned to take in all the information the forum members have and are willing to share ...

and no not every suggestion is good or as knowledgable as others ... its good to hear everyone and you learn to see the differences between real use and the quoted reading material that gets thrown in at times.

So I find the members opinions a great source to give me more to think about or to confirm my thoughts or even change my thoughts at times to open me up for a new knife or steel.

My 2 cents, sweet and simple, if you see a knife you like that is made by a reputable maker, and coming from a reputable source, then just buy it and try it.

Save a couple bucks sometimes if you buy used here on the exchange, and many models don't lose all that much of their value going between used and slightly more used, so no real loss if they don't tickle your fancy.

Just saying, you already have experience with other higher ended steels, so it's not like you're just a novice jumping into the wilderness with no idea what you're getting into. If you used the search, you already read enough info and opinion pieces on each. Nobody else's opinion at this point will mean much of anything next to your own personal opinion with your own experiences.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

Do you get the same rolling with S35VN on a ZT or other brands also? I found on my first CRK the same as you minor rolling when I thinned it more ... but didn't have that with a ZT I did the same day ... I put it on the HT ... and I love my CRKs but the HT for ease of sharpening is what I assumed was the difference in those?

How does that s35vn work for you now that you've thinned the edge out? I'm just wondering if it would chip out, or roll/dent at a thin edge angle. I personally haven't had any chipping, but rolling of s35vn in my CRKs.

 

[91bravo]

Do you get the same rolling with S35VN on a ZT or other brands also? I found on my first CRK the same as you minor rolling when I thinned it more ... but didn't have that with a ZT I did the same day ... I put it on the HT ... and I love my CRKs but the HT for ease of sharpening is what I assumed was the difference in those?

I've never had a ZT in s35vn. I do have a PM2 in s35vn though and I have thinned the edge out on mine. I have found slight micro chipping in the Spyderco, but rolling in the CRK. I don't know what Spyderco runs their s35vn at, but I'm guessing it's the softer HT for the CRK steel that causes it to roll.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I had the same in a PM2 .. I solved the problem convexing it slightly no chips since I did that. I'm not sure what Sypderco or ZT HTs their S35VN at either never checked.

 

[mb>]

JJ another one I dont think I saw mentioned here that’s worth trying is Hap40. Its one of my favorite EDC steels. Like some of the others that don’t necessary top the test result charts with edge retention, it has a nice blend of ease of achieving screaming sharp, combined with great edge retention and toughness. The only downside (if it bothers you) is the cladding steel gets scratched all to hell.

I can’t say I’ve stressed a Hap40 edge laterally like I have M4, but it’s been pure pleasure to carry, use and sharpen on a daily basis.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

Hap40 is one I haven't researched or read much about ... I'll have to look at it. Thanks

 

[Sonnydaze]

I
I have been looking at some Spyderco knives in S90V and S110V and Cruwear or Maxamet have been options on some knives I think about trying ...
I'm just trying to decide if the benefits are worth the extra cost.

Of course they are. With your four yrs here and ~2,000 posts, you are part of the crowd...and the crowd wants to know about these newer steels. They don't sharpen much differently, although you should have at least one rough diamond stone to get things moving along.
I love all my super-steels....perhaps S90V is my favorite.
Although, presently, in my two EDC carry knives, my belt-crossdraw carry is a Bradford G3 in Vanadis 4E (sometimes a Busse Game Warden 3" INFI blade using the same sheath)...and a clipped Spyderco Slysz Bowie in CTS-XHP in my rh pocket.
This is all sort of a big-boys game, and we like to play whenever possible.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

Sonnydaze ... you kind of hit the nail on the head I've just stepped into some CPK blade with Nathan's D3V and they really amazed me at how they perform and how well rounded they are not only tough but take and hold a good edge very well ...

and my experiences with M390 my first were Bradford and a couple ZTs ... it was much easier to sharpen than I had been led to think until I tried ... and for a slicer with a stable full flat grind I really like M390 ....

I have a BM Contego in M4 but it has remained unused as it just didn't feel as good in my hand as many others ... I love my Sypderco Manix and after trying out a friend's in M4 ... I will be hoping to get ahold of one of those someday soon ...

but after trying these steels of course then thoughts started .... well I wonder if this steel is for me ... so I've stepped back and tried to learn and compare ... and it's not like I need another knife ... if I lived to be 100 and used them non stop I doubt I'd run out of knives ...

so that has prompted me to sort through and soon to start listing duplicates I purchased but will probably never need ... and the few that just didn't fill my need after I got them ... which led me to consider these steels I've never tried ...

but I have to admit ... I'm almost rediscovering some of my older knives and steels and seeing that even though some of the newer steels may have benefits in areas ... my old standbys still do everything you could ever want them to ...

maybe I'm getting old or just reminiscing about all the memories with the old knives that have served me well for years ... and just curious about others ...

so maybe selling or trading some of these unused dupilcates will allow me to try something new for myself ...

but I've really come to trust alot of people's knowledge and experience on here so I ask questions some may find silly ... but I'm old fashioned I prefer a handshake to a contract ... and I prefer hearing real life experience to charts and graphs and youtube cowboy videos ...

so I do appreciate everyones responses and they've given me alot to consider ...

finally joining BF after reading for a few years was a great step ... I've made some good friends and learned more in the few years than I knew in the 40 plus years on earth and I learn something new regularly.

Thanks again to everyone that shared their experiences - JJ

 

[craytab]

How does that s35vn work for you now that you've thinned the edge out? I'm just wondering if it would chip out, or roll/dent at a thin edge angle. I personally haven't had any chipping, but rolling of s35vn in my CRKs.

It works fine. No chipping. I have had it roll a tiny bit when I've hit things I shouldn't have, like other metal.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I bought a Cold Steel Master Hunter in CPM 3V when they were first released. I have only used that knife for Axis deer hunting. I use it for gutting and deboning in the field, and if I’m lucky enough to be able to carry the game out I use it to completely take a deer apart and butcher.

I have never sharpened the knife once. It has hit bone, and occasional rock, and cutting boards. In all so far about 19 deer in total have been processed.

Now this is where it gets a little fuzzy, because a Buck 119 was something I had used for many years before purchasing the Cold Steel. I was never let down by the 420hc and after each deer a quick touch up spending a few moments of my time brought that steel back and ready for another.

In some ways, I almost miss having to sharpen the knife since it gave me a few moments to fondle, inspect, and practice sharpening technique to see how scary sharp I could get that 119.

On the flip side, I appreciate the edge holding of the 3V since the working life of this knife is going to be much longer than my 420hc. But humans only live around a decade and both theses knives will be around a lot longer than me!

 

[JJ_Colt45]

MolokaiRider ... your exoerience about mirrors mine ...

my first 3V was an LT Wright Outback ... I field dressed and broke down 3 wild hogs and a whitetail deer and with 2 or 3 minutes using a ceramic hone you couldn't tell it has been used ...

I recently got into some CPK knives a couple EDC2s and a HDFK with Nathan's D3V ... and I love these knives ... the are extremtely tough and the not only take a great edge but the hold it ... so far no matter what I've put them through ... they can handle thinner grinds and still are tough as nails.

So it is one steel I definately consider worth the premium cost.

 

[91bravo]

MolokaiRider ... your exoerience about mirrors mine ...

my first 3V was an LT Wright Outback ... I field dressed and broke down 3 wild hogs and a whitetail deer and with 2 or 3 minutes using a ceramic hone you couldn't tell it has been used ...

I recently got into some CPK knives a couple EDC2s and a HDFK with Nathan's D3V ... and I love these knives ... the are extremtely tough and the not only take a great edge but the hold it ... so far no matter what I've put them through ... they can handle thinner grinds and still are tough as nails.

So it is one steel I definately consider worth the premium cost.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

I have not jumped fully into the world of the new so called "super steels" as far as many yet ... but I am considering trying some (for me) new steels ...

I have read alot on many of them and like anything you read 100 articles or ask 100 people you'll get 95 different opinions ... and yes I have used the search and read many threads ... I don't need the technical issues of one vs another or how they should compare ... but am hoping to get real world real use comparision feedback if possible ...

I have been looking at some knives in various steels and would just like to hear some real world opinions from those of you that have used these steels ... as far as edge retention ... ease or difficulty in sharpening and toughness and maybe even stain resistance ... or other factors you think matter ...

to see if it really makes sense for my uses to try these out ... there isn't anything I need to do that I can't do with the simplier steels that I have ... but as a knife knut ... I'm becoming curious about some new steels ...

a few I have been considering are S90V ... S110V ... Maxamet ... and Cruwear ... but I am also open to recommendations of other steels if you find one not listed that you have found to be a great blade.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts - JJ

It doesn't get much attention since it's kind of old school in the super steel world, but I've said it before: if they made every knife henceforth from ZDP-189 I'd be ecstatic.

It can be a bit of a chore to sharpen and it's not stainless, but it holds an edge forever. I've been swapping back and forth between a Delica and Endura in ZDP for months now(save for a few days with a Bugout) and haven't had to resharpen either. Even with my picky standards.

 

[MolokaiRider]

MolokaiRider ... your exoerience about mirrors mine ...

my first 3V was an LT Wright Outback ... I field dressed and broke down 3 wild hogs and a whitetail deer and with 2 or 3 minutes using a ceramic hone you couldn't tell it has been used ...

I recently got into some CPK knives a couple EDC2s and a HDFK with Nathan's D3V ... and I love these knives ... the are extremtely tough and the not only take a great edge but the hold it ... so far no matter what I've put them through ... they can handle thinner grinds and still are tough as nails.

So it is one steel I definately consider worth the premium cost.

Well it looks like I’ll be budgeting for one of these.... beautiful knife and design.