Top blade steels and why

Look man, reel it in a little.
You’ve opened five or six threads asking variations of the same question.

Do a little more research on what you want and come back with more specific questions rather than asking 5 different ways what’s the best xyz.
 
A question like this is just going to get a lot of opinions. Like sharpness, the best steel is just a opinion based on personal experience.
 
1. Cruwear - good edge retention and good toughness. Just perfectly balanced
2. Maxamet - crazy edge retention. Just have to be a bit more careful with how you use it
3. M4 - good blend of the 2 above
 
A8mod, Vanadis 4 extra and AEB-L. Best combination of toughness and edge retention. A8mod and Vanadis 4 extra are used by Fredrik Haakonsen, the first for his hard use knives (great toughness with some edge retention), the second for his hunters/slicers (great edge retention with some toughness). AEB-L is used by Roman Landes and Devin Thomas because it’s a tough stainless steel with good edge retention. Want the three “best”? Look no further. But a steel is nothing without a good heat treatment!
 
First thing you have to realize is the different blade steels are developed for different purposes for a desired result in a certain environment. Second you should ask yourself what you want to do with the knife. After that you have to match up your preferences according to your determinations. Only you can know these things as we can only know our own choices. Like has been said research is a good starting point then after some knowledge discussion.
 
I think if we look at top blade steels it is an easier one to answer as there are probably 5 steels that are at least top in popularity at the moment, even if you lump together same steels from different companies, and they are often popular for good reason.

To me off the top of my head I would list these as the top 5 for the moment. This doesn't mean there aren't better steels and better as stated any time steel comparison if brought up is subjective to the aspects of the steel that are most important. Now on to the list which will be in order of what comes to mind.

#1 M390/20-CV/204P I would say it earns a spot due to its more general purpose it doesn't top out in any one aspect but is good all around.
#2 D2 I see this as a steel lots of people, myself included, love it isn't very stainless but it is a solid performer
#3 154/CPM-154 Another solid choice it is just a very dependable steel with a history of being reliable
#4 S-30 & S-35VN while not as similar as others grouped on the list they are similar enough in use which is a step up from 154 and other more common steels
#5 LC200N This is a well regarded steel for it's high resistance to corrosion while keeping a respectable edge retention

Some other note worthy steels left off for various reasons
1095 A tried and true carbon steel if you are into fixed and traditional blades the love for this steel is all around
440C Another steel with a long a respectable history
14C28N Is a common steel in more budget blades that shines in its price range
VG-10 A Japanese steel not as common as it once was and often found in sub $100 knives that are more budget friendly but steel a great user
 
3fifty7 said:
Look man, reel it in a little.
You’ve opened five or six threads asking variations of the same question.

Do a little more research on what you want and come back with more specific questions rather than asking 5 different ways what’s the best xyz.
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Looking for peoples opinions and knowledge that are into knifes if I dont ask questions I'll never get answers
 
The one in my pocket today, why, because that's the one I chose for today and I always use the top blade steel.
 
Jeremy D Bittler said:
Looking for peoples opinions and knowledge that are into knifes if I dont ask questions I'll never get answers
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You know, no one is being an ass or trolling you. What I've learned is that even though people's opinions are a good reference, the best knowledge comes from biting the bullet, buying a knife that you'll use and finding out for yourself. With all the knives/steels offered in todays market, it's going to be difficult to determine which one is best for you based on opinions and not actually having one in hand.
 
If you want answers then the first thread you started should suffice. Starting new threads with the same question is going to rub the membership the wrong way. But do you.
 
Well, top in this sense is definitely subjective...

5160 can be top steel toughness wise... or W2 if you want extreme keenly, refined edge.

RWL-34 can be the best speaking about polishing and very-well balance in all attributes... Or Rex-121 for extreme hardness and wear resistance beyond others.
 
Ajack60 said:
You know, no one is being an ass or trolling you. What I've learned is that even though people's opinions are a good reference, the best knowledge comes from biting the bullet, buying a knife that you'll use and finding out for yourself. With all the knives/steels offered in todays market, it's going to be difficult to determine which one is best for you based on opinions and not actually having one in hand.
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I did I've bit the bullet and bought the benchmade 940 legend ; but I'm already hunting a second knife
 
Or, here's a question for you, that may help us help you. It's meant to give us a baseline of your steel understanding.

Compare and contrast 1095 and Maxamet.

Extra Credit: Which one do you feel would be better for a skinning knife?
 
marcinek said:
Can you tell the difference between steels?
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That right there is an excellent question. For most people any steel will do.
I've got knives in all the popular steels, but I don't think I can separate what is a S30v and what is an M390, unless I'm sharpening them.

Any "modern", and for my money, stainless steel does exactly what I want it to.
 
Rykjeklut said:
That right there is an excellent question. For most people any steel will do.
I've got knives in all the popular steels, but I don't think I can separate what is a S30v and what is an M390, unless I'm sharpening them.
Any "modern", and for my money, stainless steel does exactly what I want it to.
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When your gonna actually use your knife you can because in the past I've had many loose sharpness quite quick
 
Jeremy D Bittler said:
When your gonna actually use your knife you can because in the past I've had many loose sharpness quite quick
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...

All knives get dull, yes.
But of the "supersteels" we have today, I can't comfortably distinguish one from the other.

So tell me, was it the 940 or the leatherman that got dull?
 
I worked on a dairy farm for 7 years n cutting cow foot wraps I've seen Kershaw last few weeks Letherman last couple months all wont cut paper when done.got so bad I switched to box cutter with easy change blade. So have I seen dull knife no I've used them its painful
 
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