What is the MINIMUM steel for an EDC?

[Mark J]

We all love the latest and greatest "super steel", but I wonder which steel is the minimum you will put up with in an EDC? Minimum can be defined any way you want -- edge holding, toughness, stainlessness (is that a word? ). So what do you think?

- Mark

 

[stevekt]

Buck 420HC and Victorinox steel, whatever it is.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I've got a Hideaway Knife in 440A. It's a good choice to hold down the price and resist corrosion, being a lightly used neck knife.

 

[donovan]

I'm really happiest not going below the AUS-8/440C neighborhood. Even then, I'd have to really like the design.

Jack

 

[cmd]

Whatever the carbon steel in that Opinel uses is fine with me. I certainly appreciate the new super steels but Opinels have no trouble making me happy.

 

[jackknife]

I'm happy with whatever steel the Victorinox soldier is made out of. it cuts well, and is easy and fast to touch up in the field.

 

[Doug C]

I think SOG uses AUS8 on Flash II's and I usually have one on me,thats about the minimum on the steel I would carry.Sharpens fairly easy if ya' don't let it get to dull.

 

[maxster]

Zdp189 ...

 

[Sword and Shield]

420HC, if done well- Buck or V-nox. Carbons would be 1090 or 1095.

 

[gordonk]

I would agree with Sword and Shield, 420HC for Bucks and whatever the SAK uses are fine for me in the majority of instances. In stuff that I've made with the carbon steels 01/1084/1095, I couldn't give you a minimum, they are all pretty good I am getting really partial to VG-10 with my Spydies, though

- gord

 

[allenC]

Gin-1
Aus-8
440c

 

[spydutch]

That would be VG10. If it is a model I really like it will be ATS55, no less...

 

[Way-O]

in stainless, in the 440C/N690/AUS-8 neighbourhood
I'd like carbon steels to have more than 0.7% C

 

[Jan P]

For a knife that sees daily use I don’t like to go below 440C. Only exeption is if I really really like the knife, as is the case with Spyderco Meerkat and a couple of others with AUS-6 blades.

At present I carry mostly M2, S60V, BG42 and VG10.

 

[Daniel Moore]

The Victorinox SAK steel.

Blades – Stainless chrome molybdenum steel, mixed from carbon, chrome, molybdenum, manganese & silicum.
Blade Hardening – 1,900 degrees F. (and annealing temperature of 140 degrees). RC 56.

 

[Temper]

Absolute minimum Buck 420HC or AUS8 from a reputable maufacturer.

 

[thebladeguy]

AUS8 minimum.

TBG

 

[Planterz]

I carry a SAK, which is far from a supersteel. I rarely use the blades however (but I keep them extremely sharp). 440C (Benchmade balisong) is the lowest grade steel I carry otherwise, but I wouldn't call it "low grade". I prefer something better, but 440C is "good enough".

 

[Artfully Martial]

The mininum I'll buy is 440C or AUS8. One of my favorite knives that I already own and EDC, however (a gift) is AUS6. But AUS6 is surprisingly acceptable. Still, there's no reason that companies should use less than AUS8 or 440C (for regular use) if you can by a Byrd knife for 20 dollars with a 440C equivalent.