What is the strongest (most ductile/edge retenetive) steel?

As quoted from darkdomino, "It's a balance. You gotta give and take when it comes to steel performance."

A great quote as it also applies to: politics, religion, adult beverages, automobiles, discussions, and forum answers. In other words, when asking opinions, there is no such thing as the "best" in nearly anything. My opinion is not necessarily right, or wrong. It is just my educated opinion. Your opinion is also not necessarily wrong, or right, as it is also just your educated opinion. Now definitions and facts are exempted from the above statement, as they are generally accepted as "set in concrete".

The OP was, I think, asking opinions about steels that met his criteria. His choice of words describing what his criteria was, seems to be the main discussion point instead of what our opinions are in relation to a steel that will meet his original inquiry. Since it appears that I also have gone astray and commenting on the comments presented instead of answering with my own suggestions, I will bow out and let the original scheduled program continue. Professor Omar will now go find another cup of coffee to get his day started in the right direction. :indecisiveness:

Blessings,

Omar
 
I've read that 4140 Chrome Moly is the "toughest." I have some in an RMJ Jenny Wren (Tomahawk). It is a really impressive material! I don't think it would make the best knife unless it was a chopper/ big knife. But as a 'hawk it's great! Edge holding is definitely adequate and slips where I've hit the ground/rocks have done way less damage than on my O1 'hawk. Also compared to every other steel I have it is a breeeeeeeze to sharpen.

The middle ground between really tough and really great edge holding can certainly be had in an impressive package overall. Some standard issue examples are: 1095, 52100, A2, O1 & D2 for non stainless & S30V, S35VN, 154cm/CPM154 & ELMAX for stainless. On the grand scale, however, the sacrifices look drastic based on the charts. If some thought is put into the use of a quality knife, "toughness" can almost always take a back seat on said grand scale.
As far as edge retention goes, IMO, it's more of a slippery slope than most folks realize. Especially those folks who take into account cardboard and rope cutting tests as the highest significant data. I reckon it's good information and just fine for a single, particular use similar to "as tested." Personally, I carry a knife because it is an extremely useful tool. Depending on the variety of uses an "EDC" type knife can or may see, there are likely some slip ups and hiccups. All knives will eventually dull. The difficulty of sharpening of high edge holding steels like S90V, S110V, M390 very well may leave a user able to only maintain lack luster edge. Even the "middle ground" steels demand a patient learning curve.
I've tried and tested lots of steels & my "Go To's" depending on the expectations of their use are:

Love my S30V/S35VN & CPM154 folders
Seriously dig S30V/S35VN, CPM154, D2, CTS-XHP in a smaller fixed blade
Stoked on the O1 in my big camp knife
Amazed with the 4140 on my 'hawk

Lately I've been playing around with an N690 fixed blade - a Phil Rose PSK 2. This steel does not look all that impressive on paper but I am VERY happy with it! Edge holding is way better than I expected and it is not nearly as difficult to sharpen as S30V. The realization most significantly met though is the overall design of the knife. Handle shape/blade geometry are at least as important as the steel if it's gonna be an often used tool.
Be more specific with what you want the cutting instrument to do, including best and worst case scenarios, and the atmosphere it will see. Then you can get better answers.
 
CPM-3V for toughness, I'd say INFI for a sword and K390 or A11/CPM-10V for edge retention coupled with great toughness. Vanadis or Elmax for corrosion resistance and good toughness I'd say.
 
AerMet is the most ductile/toughest steel in this world. It use to make armor but would not suit for cutting tool.

M4 probably the best combination of toughness, hardness, wear resistance, edge stability. Definitely one of the highest overall performance steel. From what I gathered there are only 2 steel that really enter to the cutting competition scene at pro level which is M4 and 52100.

PD#1 is up and coming high performance steel which is very interesting, at 61rc it theoretical better than 3V in almost every categories except rust resistance.
 
5160, 52100 for carbon steels and cpm154 for stainless. I have been doing a lot of testing with cpm154 and it has amazed me how much abuse it can take
 
I'm a believer in 5160 after getting my custom from Fallen Oak Forge. I'm convinced his differentially heat treated 5160 is magic of some sort. I was worried after all of the Buck 5160 failures but luckily it was a case of Buck not knowing what they were doing.

I'd like to try INFI at some point but it's out of my price range right now. Add to that I can get a full on custom made of 5160 for a machine made INFI knife and I think it will be awhile before I try one.
 
JZknives said:
Ok Im sure this question is asked everyday in some form but I need to know which steel would be the "top of the line" as far as ductility (ability to bend without cracking or shattering due to impact) and toughness (ability for the egde to remain stable and not roll over or chip even with heavy impact related use.)
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Ductility and toughness are pretty much the same thing. Ductility is hard to measure but there is a measure for toughness.

"edge to remain stable and not roll over or chip even with heavy impact related use"- this is probably a function of strength, or called "hardness" by knife people. Once the strength of the steel is exceeded it will either roll over or chip. If it is a ductile (tough) steel then it will roll rather than chip. If it is not a tough steel then it will chip instead of rolling. Rolling is preferable because it can be repaired more easily than chipping. Generally for knives that will be exposed to impact use you want a tough steel instead of a really hard steel.

Many people have said that this is a treadeoff and someone said that toughness and hardness are not exclusive. Both are correct- for any given steel there is a point where you begin to tradeoff one property for the other. The thing is that different steels and different heat treatments can alter the point where you see the tradeoff. So some steels at hardnesses suitable for knife use will have better toughness than other steels. And some steels can be hardened to higher levels before there is too much loss of toughness. This is why we continually look for better steels. But for now you have to pick a steel that provides the qualities that you want most, and accept some loss of the other properties.
 
jdm61 said:
You are incorrect as far as 5160 goes. 3V is as tough if not tougher than L6.
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tough or not tough , is not a unconditional question , when you make a Judgement on steel , you have to set a Reference first.

3V is a tough one , it's impact toughness about 90+J @ 57-58HRC. by compare with some steels like A2 M2 D2 ATS34 S30V etc.

“ 3v tough” Does not equal to "3v is the toughest"

when you set a reference with low alloy spring steel like 5160 , 3v is not a tough one .

i hope i make it clear , Sir.
 
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