What Is Your Favorite Knife Steel?

DSC_13641.JPG
 
armysf18 said:
Ok guys what is your by far favorite blade steel? and why?
Click to expand...

To be truthful, I really don't have one favorite steel. The best I can say is that I have categories of favorite steels for various types of knives.

For a one-hand opener, I am partial to stainless alloys containing ~1% carbon. This includes,
AUS10
440C
154CM
VG1
VG10
N690

But AUS8 at 0.8% works OK as well.
I also find D2 to be good stuff.
And 13C26 takes an edge like no other. Lovely stuff when you want a really really sharp edge.

For a traditional folder I'm partial to carbon steel of the 1095 and 1085 kinds and to low alloy steels with similar Carbon contents, though well done 420HC is satisfactory as well.

For a hunting knife, S30V is pretty great stuff, though those 1% Carbon containing stainless steels work well, also. D2 works pretty fair there as well.

If I were into batoning and chopping, which I ain't, I'd guess I'd be pretty happy with an alloy steel like 5160 or some nicely done 1095 or 1095-type alloy steel.

Ladies and gents, there is no BEST steel. And there isn't any BAD steel.
There's only steels that are better for some purposes than they are for others.
 
Carbon steel, as on my Ka-bar and Boker pocket knives that do not have stainless.

I don't mind Buck's treated 440C, and Victorinox seems to have a dandy stainless too, but the main blade (Solingen Germany) on my Boker Electrician is a GREAT piece of carbon steel something that takes and keeps an edge very well and has impressed the hell out of me, over all my other knives (not a huge collection mind you).
 
From what I've owned and used, I find that I'm a big fan of CPM-154. Takes and nice edge easily and holds it for a good amount of time.

Honorable mentions (again this is just from what I own and use):
ZDP-189
CPM-M4
CPM-D2
S30V
S60V
M390
Elmax
YXR7 (fairly new to this steel, but it seems incredible)
 
It's difficult getting down to just one group of steels. I believe, like Knarfeng that there are no best steels.

Overall it's pretty tough to beat CPM M4 HC
Likewise, 3V is pretty amazing.
52100, O-1, M2, Vascowear/cruware are up there too.

Stainless:
I've always perked up at the mention of BG42. Yes it's performance is good but I think it's getting rare now. That makes me want something more. Just tell me I can't have it and then I have to have it.

Elmax and M390 are new to me but seem pretty fantastic.

VG10. The old standby since my first Spyderco with it. It's like a benchmark and I still like it despite having more knives in this steel than I can carry in two weeks using different knives every day in 2 pockets plus change.

Picking a steel is hopeless for me. Even picking a steel for a certain category is difficult.
 
There are still many I would like to try, but it went from 154CM to CPM154.

I am still "testing" ZDP-189 - so far I am liking this also.

I want to try S90V - haven't been able to get a blade made in that yet.
 
Folder, 420HC, S30v or VG10 and even the stainless in SAK's. For fixed blade carbon steel such as 1095. Sometimes, I think we place too much importance on the type of steel.

Vin
 
I don't really have a favorite,I like many different steels.As long as the steel is done properly by a reputable maker,I'm happy.
 
I am very happy with VG-10.

I am very happy with Spyderco's CPM S30V...they are masters of the heat treat on this steel.

I am very happy with 12c27 Sandvik...all the Sandviks I've tried actually.

I am very happy with 1095 as done by ESEE...they (Rowan Mfg) are masters of the heat treat on this steel.
 
Aw nuts! My original pick was VG-1, but I just can't pick a single steel as my favorite. However, others that have really stood out for me are -

SG2 - Will get 'spooky' sharp.

N690Co - Again, will take a great edge that is quite aggressive.

S30V - Takes a long lasting edge that can be polished. Wears well and is tough.

CPM154 - A great overall steel that takes a blazing sharp edge and is easy to touch-up.

154CM - One of the best 'working' steels around. Easy to sharpen to a polished edge and easy to maintain.

M390 - Takes the sharpest and most durable edge I have yet to see, Simply amazing.

S90V - Very close to M390.

And last but not least, good old 440C. When treated right, it will take an aggressive edge that can be polished. I think that one of the Buck's used to call a 440C edge a 'meat edge'.

In short, my favorite steel is whatever I have in my pocket at the time.
 
I am more about blade design then the steel...I mean unless it is absolutely crap steel and I don't have access to a sharpener, it really doesn't matter.

But if I had to pick a steel...

S30v or VG-10 for stainless
O1 Tool for carbon
 
Last edited:
My favorite is 52100 (SR 101), followed by 5160 O1 has a high rating with me as well.

for stainless I'm ok with s30v.
 
I would prefer that all knives be made with carbon steel: either 1095 or 50-100. They are just a lot easier to sharpen and a lot less expensive.
 
At this stage it's a tie between stainless VG10 and high carbon A2.

Good, work horse steels.

I'm now getting into slightly more exotic steels like CPM154 and CPM 3V.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top