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what is the best blade steel in your opinion
- Thread starter skidmark72
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2008
- Messages
- 4,647
That's a very ignorant statement. Have you seen what Bohler Uddeholm produces? I'd say they are one of the leaders in blade steel these days right next to Crucible and Carpenter (Two American companies). It doesn't have to be American made to be a quality product.
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2006
- Messages
- 5,611
I have trouble making a top 5 of my favorite cutlery steels.
not in any particular order.
CPM M4 rc 64-65
Super Blue/W2 rc 62-63-rc 60-61
Cruwear/vascowear/3V/? rc 62-63- rc 58-60
BG42/CTS B70 rc 62-63
S110V/S90V/CTS-20cp rc 63.5-64 ( P.Wilson custom) rc 60-61
L6 rc 57-58 , 5160, 52100
not in any particular order.
CPM M4 rc 64-65
Super Blue/W2 rc 62-63-rc 60-61
Cruwear/vascowear/3V/? rc 62-63- rc 58-60
BG42/CTS B70 rc 62-63
S110V/S90V/CTS-20cp rc 63.5-64 ( P.Wilson custom) rc 60-61
L6 rc 57-58 , 5160, 52100
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2012
- Messages
- 4,616
I like Japanese steel with high carbon content.
Honyaki grade knives are an orgasm to use.
I've had the pleasure of using one for a few minutes. It will show you that your cutting techniques are wrong, because knife has almost zero resistance to food so it just simply 'goes' straight through.
On average, the cheapest knife with honyaki grade is $1000, and that'll be the low budget one.
Honyaki grade knives are an orgasm to use.
I've had the pleasure of using one for a few minutes. It will show you that your cutting techniques are wrong, because knife has almost zero resistance to food so it just simply 'goes' straight through.
On average, the cheapest knife with honyaki grade is $1000, and that'll be the low budget one.
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2012
- Messages
- 840
Everyone knows that Rosta-Frei is the best 
I like to blast some reggae when I use it too, Sean Paul or Shaggy are my fav.
When that steel isn't available I don't really care.
I have a lot of 8CR and Aus8 and 8CR seems to be a touch better than Aus8 but they're both great EDC/beater steels, touch up super quick and take a pretty keen edge
I really enjoy S30V for "long term" use steel. If I'm going to be using my knife a lot, breaking down a good amount of boxes for example. It takes a super keep edge and when it looses that it takes on a toothy edge that doesn't lose any of that sharpness and it keeps that for ever in my uses. I only end up sharpening my Para 2 or ritter grip after I ding up or chip the edge.
Victorinox's steel is also great, I can't get as a sharp edge as I can with other steels but it seems to stay sharp as long or better as Aus8 or equivilant and is very easy to sharpen.
I'm also working up an opinion on S35VN I like it a lot so far, I have yet to even touch up my UTX-70 factory edge after exclusively using 2 months of EDC and still going.
The same with D2, I don't use my Brous Silent Soldier too much though, I want to get a bone collector BM with D2 though.
I like to blast some reggae when I use it too, Sean Paul or Shaggy are my fav.
When that steel isn't available I don't really care.
I have a lot of 8CR and Aus8 and 8CR seems to be a touch better than Aus8 but they're both great EDC/beater steels, touch up super quick and take a pretty keen edge
I really enjoy S30V for "long term" use steel. If I'm going to be using my knife a lot, breaking down a good amount of boxes for example. It takes a super keep edge and when it looses that it takes on a toothy edge that doesn't lose any of that sharpness and it keeps that for ever in my uses. I only end up sharpening my Para 2 or ritter grip after I ding up or chip the edge.
Victorinox's steel is also great, I can't get as a sharp edge as I can with other steels but it seems to stay sharp as long or better as Aus8 or equivilant and is very easy to sharpen.
I'm also working up an opinion on S35VN I like it a lot so far, I have yet to even touch up my UTX-70 factory edge after exclusively using 2 months of EDC and still going.
The same with D2, I don't use my Brous Silent Soldier too much though, I want to get a bone collector BM with D2 though.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
- Messages
- 26,811
Knife makers upgrade the alloy as the blade gets smaller. It's really a matter of economics, screw up a 12 inch blade blank grinding on it, and it's toast. The level of workmanship increases exponentially, one small flaw is all it takes. And the actual shaping is much harder, across the board, a "better" steel means it's more abrasion resistant. That also means it's more grind and finish resistant, too.
The meaning of "What's the best?" is revealed when you see the question pop up in firearms, automobiles, watches, stereos, etc. It's not really about what is the optimal application for that particular material or technology. It's an attempt to get the current snapshot of what is the coolest, high prestige item for personal adornment. You even see Rolex owners wrestling over it. It's about social pecking order - and reflects the notion that if you own it/wear it, then you rank higher than someone else.
That's not necessarily so, but it sure sells knives.
The meaning of "What's the best?" is revealed when you see the question pop up in firearms, automobiles, watches, stereos, etc. It's not really about what is the optimal application for that particular material or technology. It's an attempt to get the current snapshot of what is the coolest, high prestige item for personal adornment. You even see Rolex owners wrestling over it. It's about social pecking order - and reflects the notion that if you own it/wear it, then you rank higher than someone else.
That's not necessarily so, but it sure sells knives.
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2012
- Messages
- 1,143
The best steels for my needs are CPM-M4 and S30V.
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2011
- Messages
- 4,423
My Spydie TUFF in 3V has been incredible so far; it my be my top pick right now for blade steel!...
Others that are "top shelf" favourites from my experience and use, looking at everything from edge retention to corrosion resistance, i.e my own pursuit of the perfect edc steel:
CPMS90V
CPMS30V
M390
CPM M4
Highly subjective and your mileage may vary... There isn't a "best" steel, just lots of outstanding ones!
Others that are "top shelf" favourites from my experience and use, looking at everything from edge retention to corrosion resistance, i.e my own pursuit of the perfect edc steel:
CPMS90V
CPMS30V
M390
CPM M4
Highly subjective and your mileage may vary... There isn't a "best" steel, just lots of outstanding ones!
The best steel depends on the intended use and your skill at sharpening a knife.
Far more important is having a suitable blade profile and ergonomic handle. An ubersteel will not save a poor design, if it will not cut with sandvik it will not cut with cpm m4. After you get past the bargain bin class of knives the choice of steel goes way back on the list of priorities. At least that is the case for me. YMMV
Far more important is having a suitable blade profile and ergonomic handle. An ubersteel will not save a poor design, if it will not cut with sandvik it will not cut with cpm m4. After you get past the bargain bin class of knives the choice of steel goes way back on the list of priorities. At least that is the case for me. YMMV