Under $50 - What is your favorite blade steel?

[Hashishiin]

I haven't seen the good 440c or heard of it, yet. Only 420HC I own and would re-own is on Leatherman and Buck 110! In tests, it really appears the Bos 420HC is a cut above. Anyone know anything about how the Leatherman knife holds up? I have not had extended experience, both are new, but I have confidence in them.

I like Ontario D2 and AUS-8, their D2 per testing I have seen, does really well to other random D2. Solingen, SK carbon, Blue Paper, what is in a Douk-Douk? VG-10, definitely findable for under $50.

Very good information, I learned something new, thank you Gentlemen!

Yeah, Spyderco has some knives in it. Like this Military! https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=297

 

[Hashishiin]

OKC Rat 2 in D2
R2D2...

I bought a bone-white R2D2 (should have bought more but I did not know they were on sale at $26)...well, it was just an R2 when I bought it, made it an R2D2 myself, but I drew up plans to paint it in an R2 style with blue and black paint with a dot of red for the eye, but was discouraged from trying to paint on Nylon 6. But I may do it just as a cool thing to keep about, it genuinely looks good on the drawing board. I will find my notebook in the morning and post it to the forum. A real R2D2 R2D2!

Now we just need to find the C-3PO knife...

 

[Bob Denman]

"Now we just need to find the C-3PO knife..."
Would one of these work?

 

[skyhorse]

In all honesty after exploring most the latest and greatest blade steels, most of them aren't really necessary for my everyday use. The one below is fantastic imho and still a favorite for many custom knife makers.

 

[Pomsbz]

12C27 for me. Very nicely stainless, holds a decent every day use edge, predictable across manufacturers.

 

[Hashishiin]

In all honesty after exploring most the latest and greatest blade steels, most of them aren't really necessary for my everyday use. The one below is fantastic imho and still a favorite for many custom knife makers.

Yeah, but it's like ZDP. Where is it?! I would LOVE Bos treated 154CM, S45VN or S30V once I learn more about S30. What's that there, a 110, 112?

I almost bought an Ontario auto in 154CM until I heard they didn't treat it well, and that was a dud. Love Ontario, though. So...do you know if Buck is making this in whatever your beautiful folder is?
I hear great things about 154CM and CTS XHP as the best pocket knife steels overall.
Shouldn't CPM-154 be better, though? They use that as cladding for S90V iirc.

 

[Bob Denman]

In all honesty after exploring most the latest and greatest blade steels, most of them aren't really necessary for my everyday use. The one below is fantastic imho and still a favorite for many custom knife makers.

No doubt: a Bos heat treatment is the greatest equalizer!

 

[skyhorse]

Yeah, but it's like ZDP. Where is it?! I would LOVE Bos treated 154CM, S45VN or S30V once I learn more about S30. What's that there, a 110, 112?

I almost bought an Ontario auto in 154CM until I heard they didn't treat it well, and that was a dud. Love Ontario, though. So...do you know if Buck is making this in whatever your beautiful folder is?
I hear great things about 154CM and CTS XHP as the best pocket knife steels overall.
Shouldn't CPM-154 be better, though? They use that as cladding for S90V iirc.

I got that many moons ago, it was a Buck build out model .

 

[Albin]

Yep. CPM = Crucible Particle Metallurgy

To my knowledge, CPM D2 is quite new.
https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Manual-Knives--45#/filter:blade_material:CPM$2520D2

I'm also curious about CPM 154. 154CM is still a good steel in my book.

I just ordered this in CPM 154:

ETA: Oops! It's not under $50!!

 

[Bob Denman]

You'll like the new steel.
I've got both versions of 154, and the CPM stuff is noticeably tougher!

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

In all honesty after exploring most the latest and greatest blade steels, most of them aren't really necessary for my everyday use. The one below is fantastic imho and still a favorite for many custom knife makers.

Quick question. Did anyone had a chance to compare quality of the Buck blades, one heat treated when Paul Bos was in charge of the operation, and a later blade, when Paul Farner was in charge, after Bos retire in 2010 ?
Im just curious how good is Faner’s HT compared to Bos’.

 

[Bob Denman]

Look at it this way: he learned from the best...

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

The way I’m looking at it: How good of a student he was… ?

 

[LG&M]

D2 , 1095 or 14c28n, with good heat treat. I have little need for more.

 

[Bob Denman]

The way I’m looking at it: How good of a student he was… ?

Paul was the best: I believe that he also hired the best.

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Paul was the best: I believe that he also hired the best.

I hope so. That’s why I’m asking if someone had a chance to compare same steel, HTed by both.

 

[skyhorse]

Quick question. Did anyone had a chance to compare quality of the Buck blades, one heat treated when Paul Bos was in charge of the operation, and a later blade, when Paul Farner was in charge, after Bos retire in 2010 ?
Im just curious how good is Faner’s HT compared to Bos’.

Exactly the same, Bos is still partnered with Buck even in retirement somehow.

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for the confirmation!

 

[JTR357]

I really like the sandvich steels 14c28 & 12c27 at that price point. Nothing wrong with 440c & 154cm either.All of which I've gotten for under $50.

 

[shane45-1911]

I hope so. That’s why I’m asking if someone had a chance to compare same steel, HTed by both.

Bos is a company, as well as The Man. Just don't think that it was Paul himself putting all these knives into the tempering ovens, watching the timer, and then checking every knife's HRC on the indenter. He has employees.

There is no reason to believe that the quality of their work would diminish after Paul retired. He ran a good company with good people and passed his knowledge along.