What was the first knife steel you fell in love with and still use to this day?

[PirateSeulb]

I hear you on the mid range steels I have knives in variety of steels with the fanciest steels being M390 and Elmax and they are great and honestly haven't had to sharpen them yet though I don't know that I really look forward to sharpening M390 comparative to my other knives. For me I think being impressed is a part of loving a steel even if it is the first time and for myself and the reasons I mention I just have trouble understanding it being a SAK.

 

[jakemex]

Case CV; still like it.

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

AUS8 on my old Al Mar's. Still going strong.

 

[tiguy7]

View attachment 1271237 CPM S-90-V as used in this custom Darrel Ralph MADD MAXX. I bought the steel and sent it to Darrel. I EDC the upper knife. The lower knife is S-30-V. Blade size is 7". Obtained in 2004.

 

[KnifeRep]

William Henry T12-CF, their early carbon fiber drop point, liner lock folder in ATS-34, I think I bought it in 1993 and still carry it on special occasions, it’s very svelte, my first thumb stud flipper.

 

[bigsurbob]

Surgical

 

[sluggyslugworth]

Victorinox Super Tinker was my first knife when I was 10, that was 18 years ago. So whatever that steel is.

 

[Stumpy]

A steel that I still like a great deal is D2. I find I can get a very keen edge on it that lasts.

 

[Lesknife]

Buck 420hc with Bos ht was my early favorite in the 300 series slip joints. Then I ventured into the premium selection of s30v and then other cpm flavors 154, 20cv S35vn. 20cv being my top favorite even though it’s not available in slip joints, but I still like and use 420hc just about every day, it’s a dependable, lower cost blade steel that performs above its lowly elements. I consider it to be one of the unexpected wonders of the knife kingdom.

 

[Glenn Goodlett]

Surgical

Me too. I remember as a kid thinking this is same steel that a doctors' scalpel is made from, wow, it has to be good. And sharp. In retrospect, it was no good and thankfully not sharp.

 

[buckeyejake]

My favorite steel is plain old carbon steel of unknown origin that my Chinese cleavers are made out of -- rust, stains and all -- that I have owned and used for well over 50 yrs.

 

[buckeyejake]

1095. Used it for 55 years. Still do .


Jake