Throw in your Ringer, best steel/maker combos

John Greco - A2

Busse/Swamp Rat/SYKCO - INFI, SR-101, A2, etc.

Agree with lots of other ones mentioned as well. Spyderco’s wizardry heat treating most steels is astounding, but Al Mar did a bang-up job with VG-10.

Buck’s 5160 and Benchmade’s S30V, M4, and 20CV are also favorites.
 
Agreed with Will on the busse heat treat of sr101/infi and I'll add winklers heat treat of 80crv2 along with cold steels heat treat of aus8, haven't had better aus8 than cs.

Matts heat treat on a2 was damn good.

Lots of good heat treating out there, great time to be a knife nut.
 
AntDog said:
John Greco - A2

Busse/Swamp Rat/SYKCO - INFI, SR-101, A2, etc.

Agree with lots of other ones mentioned as well. Spyderco’s wizardry heat treating most steels is astounding, but Al Mar did a bang-up job with VG-10.

Buck’s 5160 and Benchmade’s S30V, M4, and 20CV are also favorites.
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shinyedges said:
Agreed with Will on the busse heat treat of sr101/infi and I'll add winklers heat treat of 80crv2 along with cold steels heat treat of aus8, haven't had better aus8 than cs.

Matts heat treat on a2 was damn good.

Lots of good heat treating out there, great time to be a knife nut.
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1000% agree with these two sentiments. Busse SR 101 is what made me a believer in high-performance knives.
 
VorpelSword said:
Not sure if I understand the point of this thread, but here it goes:

When I was looking for a belt knife for our son, a new Marine about to deploy to Iraq in 2004, I bought him a bunch of knives because I had no Idea of just what he would need or what was "good". My criteria were in the realm of good reputation, specification, design etc. I was looking for a serious working tool for a warfighter about to go into inactive war zone.

I bought a Randall fighter based on reputation, legend and lore alone ( 440 family stainless)

I bought an Ek dagger based on its history, shear ruggedness of construction and aggressive design (High carbon chrome vanadium)

I bought a modernized Ka Bar version based on history and lore (D-2)

And finally, I got him a Chris Reeve Green Beret because it was Epoxy coated in a non-reflective finish over what sounded to me like an advanced high-performance alloy, S30V.

The Lt took both the Randall Made and the CRK to Iraq in 2004. Both were carried for extended periods at separate times and saw action at Fallujah or Ramadi anong other actions.

What he took on his next deployment? The CRK Green Beret, because it seemed more durable and rugged. . . a matter of confidence.

So, there it is : CRK Green Beret in whatever they are making them with at the time; S35VN, Magnicut . . .whatever is the next high performance steel formulation.

I may have missedthe point, so please be gentle.
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Take a shot, everyone.
 
Virtually all of my favorite steel combos have been mentioned already, but want to add that the following three have been used by me and they have always done a fantastic job:

- Cold Steel's old AUS8 knives were (and still are!!) real cutters
- I always had great performance with my CRKs in S35vn
- Spyderco did the M4 on their Gayle Bradley models extremely well. Easy to sharpen, holds an edge quite a long time through cardboard cutting use as well
 
ferider said:
That poses an interesting question: until now, we've only mentioned companies that use their own heat treat recipe. RHK uses Peter's, does that count, 007 Agent ZZero 007 Agent ZZero ?
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Let’s unmuddy the water, excellent story about sending your son off with great blades VorpalSword. Unfortunately that’s exactly what this thread is not supposed to be. I think this part of the forum is piled high with what one person says is a great design or model. I love the example, the CRK Green Beret is a great combat knife. But is it something the average Joe would buy and say “Wow, Chris Reeve does the best S35VN I have ever used!”. This is sans lore/legend. Just advice on where to find outstanding steel if you are looking to try a new model or style.


What it should be is an emphatic suggestion to others who are interested in outstanding steel. Not ok, not good. GREAT. Like Carothers delta3V. They are known for exceptional mastery of that steels heat treatment. Try any model that strikes your fancy.

**REDACTED**WITHOUT VERIFIABLE COMPREHENSIVES LISTS OF WHO DOES WHOS HT WE CANNOT INCLUDE/EXCLUDE WITHOUT BIASE, THEREFORE RESULTS/EXPERIENCE BASED ASSERTION MUST STAND** Now to the grissle, I honestly don’t think Peter’s should count. A professional heat treatment is great and business savy, but that means Hinderer cannot be afford the credit. You didn’t cook it, you don’t get the compliments. That being said it’s a high honorable mention. I think many midtech makers out there outsource heat treating and deliver great steel. Nothing to take away from any of those gentlemen either.**

Please see updated stance on post #52, short story is yes include companies who pay for professional HT.
 
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Just because I like to kick hornets nests…..

Carothers Magnacut, I would say it holds an edge up to thier delta 3V. I have found it to be plenty tough for an edc. Otherwise it just doesn’t seem to rust or even patina much. Apples lemons oranges vinegar barbecue. Nada! So far, so great!
 
I had a Duck Childress drop point in D2 and that knife would hold an edge while I processed the deer into packaging. Others would comment how well it kept on slicing. That made me a believer in D2 and I have several knives in that flavor.
 
Mick Boardman said:
I had a Duck Childress drop point in D2 and that knife would hold an edge while I processed the deer into packaging. Others would comment how well it kept on slicing. That made me a believer in D2 and I have several knives in that flavor.
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Brother, I think about "Duck" almost every day...and kinda' haphazardly wonder what happened to him.

He was a Vietnam Vet who was dealing with the complications of "Agent Orange".


I haven't seen him in a bit. Despite that, his D2 and 440C stuff was REALLY great.


I loved his blades with the "fiber optic" pins...



20221109_093205 (BF).jpg
 
Alone said:
Brother, I think about "Duck" almost every day...and kinda' haphazardly wonder what happened to him.

He was a Vietnam Vet who was dealing with the complications of "Agent Orange".


I haven't seen him in a bit. Despite that, his D2 and 440C stuff was REALLY great.


I loved his blades with the "fiber optic" pins...



View attachment 2429616
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I lost an uncle to complications from agent orange, terrible. I'm saddened by D.W Childress passing. I've seen his work on here for years.
 
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