Tool Steel Folders

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slight

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May 22, 2011
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To be honest I have never been the same after my spyderco gayle bradley, but Iv got an itch that only new steel can scratch.

the main thing is the steel, i adore m4, it is a perfect balance for me. easy to sharpen, doesnt need it very often, and if you take a little care with it its not gonna rust. and i want more, or something similar in a folder. $40-$250 (but the closer it is to 250 the more it is going to have to compete with the zt 560)

im open to any brand or maker as long as they have a reputation for quality.
the same goes for lock type, im not biased.

bonus points for

bowie style clip blades
swedges
spear points
wharncliffe or reverse tantos
flippers
waved
carbon fiber***

I truly have no idea which knives have these features but the main thing is im wanting some more good tool steel.
 
The Gayle Bradley does not use M4. It uses CPM M4. Not the same thing.

CPM M4 isn't just "tool steel". The PM process makes it one of the best performing steels in existence today. Finding another alloy with that type of performance won't be easy.

You might look at some folders with stainless tool steel blades.
Bohler M390 will give CPM a run for its money for edge retention. There are several knives with that alloy out there. Both Benchmade and Spyderco have them.

You might have a look at Jim Ankerson's edge retention thread to find other high performance steels.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...based-on-Edge-Retention-cutting-5-8-quot-rope

Here's another thread that should give you some ideas:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/889156-CPM-M4-vs-CTS-20CP-CPM-S90V
 
the military is really just too large for my needs. How do steels like cts-20cp and s90v/s60v compare to cpmm4 in sharpening ease? i seem to remember seeing several people say that they are extremely difficult to sharpen. Is m390 offered on any other knives besides the barrage? and how difficult is m390s edge to maintain?

i think elmax might be close to what im after. easy to sharpen and with a long lasting edge
 
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How about a Benchmade 710 in D2? Might not have all the extras you're looking for, but those who have them seem to really like 'em... If the Millie's too big, maybe the 710 wouldn't be a good choice either. :/
 
slight said:
the military is really just too large for my needs. How do steels like cts-20cp and s90v/s60v compare to cpmm4 in sharpening ease? i seem to remember seeing several people say that they are extremely difficult to sharpen. Is m390 offered on any other knives besides the barrage? and how difficult is m390s edge to maintain?

i think elmax might be close to what im after. easy to sharpen and with a long lasting edge
Click to expand...

I have a Benchmade 710 in M390. I use diamond hones and have no problems keeping it sharp. I've even used a Sharpmaker to touch it up, and still had no problems.

I've not tried elmax, but I'd like to. The properties described by others in some of the threads sound awesome. IIRC Kershaw was going to be offering some elmax blades in the near future.
 
IIRC that'll be the speedform II for the kershaw elmax, M390 is also available in the 581 barrage, limited #'s of mini-grips, and the 710-2 that I know of off the top of my head...
 
The Kershaw Speedform uses Elmax. Though I've not used it hard, the steel does hold a very sharp edge. It came with a wire edge, but a few swipes on my Sharpmaker took care of that and now it slices really well for it being .157" thick and such a short height blade.


Btw, is the Sleipner steel, used in the Lion Steel SR-1, a tool steel?
 
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