Today's Popular Knife Steels

GutWrench said:
As previously stated Magnacut is the latest and said to be the greatest. I have not gotten my hands on any yet to beat around.

I am far from an expert in this so I can only speak from my own experience.

S30V was a huge step in SS for me. I was used to 440C and Aus8 or something like that. Spyderco's S30V absolutely blows those out of the water. It literally changed my life, haha!

The next step up from that was when I bought a used fixed blade in 20cv. It was so nice not to have to sharpen once or twice a week, or more depending on what I am doing. I have since bought a bunch of knives in Elmax, LC200N and I still prefer 20cv or m390 and between 20cv and m390 I prefer m390. I know people say they are "the same" but m390 seems to be a little more flexible or soft if I can use those terms to describe it.

As to non-stainless steels. 5160 is my favorite with Delta3v in close second. I like 5160 in thicker edged big blades and Delta3v for middle sized slicey blades.
Click to expand...
Have you perchance considered the heat treat on your M390 knives vs. your 20CV knives as being the cause of that softness?
 
K390 is another fun one to try out if you can find it. Lionsteel and Spyderco have some offerings. Holds an edge next to forever, but not too crazy to sharpen. Not stainless, but not super rust prone either.

But for popularity in medium-to-higher end knives I think you'll still find it's mostly all about m390/20cv/204p.
 
Docscoot said:
K390 is another fun one to try out if you can find it. Lionsteel and Spyderco have some offerings. Holds an edge next to forever, but not too crazy to sharpen. Not stainless, but not super rust prone either.

But for popularity in medium-to-higher end knives I think you'll still find it's mostly all about m390/20cv/204p.
Click to expand...
Sounds interesting. I will put in on the list of steels to try out. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top