WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BLADE STEEL

Cobalt

Cobalt

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 23, 1998
Messages
17,273
This is not a trash and bash, since most of todays american, european or japanese steels are of high quality. Even the ones that don't hold an edge as long are still excellent.

My opinion is still out on this one, but my current favorite is 440V. It may be slightly more brittle than other steels but it holds an incredible edge and is incredibly stain resistant. Of course, I have not worked with 420V, 3V, or stainless damascus, so I can't compare to these. It seems to me that stainless damascus might be an incredible steel. Maybe I'll get a knife in this steel some day.
 
I have to agree with you, Cobalt. 440V is awesome. I haven't gotten to try a VG-10 knife yet
frown.gif
but I hope to rectify that shortly.

I have to say that I have been very happy with Carbon V, whatever steel that is this week.
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Clay

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"10,000 Lemmings Can't Be Wrong!"

[This message has been edited by CD Fleischer (edited 22 January 1999).]
 
I would have to say my top 3 favorite stainless steels are:
440V
VG10
BG42

and the winner is......BG42

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~Greg~

 
Oohh, Good point, Greg. I forogot about BG42. May have to do some cutting tests tonight!

Military vs Sebenza!

Let you know how it goes...

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
cdfleischer@yahoo.com

"10,000 Lemmings Can't Be Wrong!"
 
Boy it is a toss up between the BG-42 and the M-2. I carry my Sebenza daily, but my M-2 mini AFCK is a close second. I have noticed that the M-2 is harder to sharpen, but the BG-42 holds an edge longer. I use both for routine day to day tasks. Although I used my Operator the other night at Pizza Hut to slice a pizza with some fellow LEOs, got some funny looks. I guess I need to get a 440-V and compare the three...
 
My likes in order from top to bottom. ( I am only mentioning the ones I really like that I have used )

CPM-440V
BG-42
154-CM
ATS-55
AUS-8A
ATS-34


Mark

" Knife Collectors Are Sharp People ! "



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Different missions call for different steels. For tactical fixed blades, A-2, 52100, O-1, D-2. For small to medium utility, Boye Dendritic Steel (cast 440C), BG-42, M-2, CPM420V. For small to medium fighters, CPM420V, A-2. For swords, 1075 or 1086.

Heck, they're all good if they are given optimum heat treatment.

Harv
 
In pocket knives (not in order):

- BG-42
- 440v
- M2

Big knives:

- O-1
- A2
- D2

I've sworn that I will not buy any more ATS-34 knives after getting used to how well the other steels perform.


--Doug

 
stainless; 420v. edge holding like 440v toughness like O-1
carbon; 3v holds an edge like cryo D2 tough as 4140ht.

liked 440v but it's discontinued.

But this may change Crucible labs are hard at work.

ed
 
This may be heresy, but:

No strong preference other than "avoid bad steel".

#1: the heat-treat often matters more.

#2: in a fighter, ergos, balance and design matter more than the steel, so long as it can take a good enough edge and be tough enough.

Jim March
 
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