Most here will tell you not to use a knife as a screwdriver. It's a good way to break off an expensive blade. (most steels with good edge retention are at least somewhat brittle) A swiss army knife would work well for that but it doesn't have great edge retention. Of course, they are easy to sharpen. I suggest you look at something like a swiss army knife alox cadet if you need a screwdriver. If you want longer edge retention AND a screwdriver you may need to carry two knives. I'm carrying a SAK and a Spyderco Caly 3.5 with VG10. I like the balance of edge retention and ease of sharpening on the VG10. Other steels keep an edge much longer but are much harder to sharpen.
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whats the best steel for a folder?
- Thread starter 9397jim
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Most here will tell you not to use a knife as a screwdriver. It's a good way to break off an expensive blade. (most steels with good edge retention are at least somewhat brittle) A swiss army knife would work well for that but it doesn't have great edge retention. Of course, they are easy to sharpen. I suggest you look at something like a swiss army knife alox cadet if you need a screwdriver. If you want longer edge retention AND a screwdriver you may need to carry two knives. I'm carrying a SAK and a Spyderco Caly 3.5 with VG10. I like the balance of edge retention and ease of sharpening on the VG10. Other steels keep an edge much longer but are much harder to sharpen.
bodog
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You don't need something high priced to fill you specific needs:
http://www.thespydercostore.com/spyderco-spy-dk-plain-edge-knife/
Or
http://www.thespydercostore.com/spyderco-clipitool-w-screwdriver-opener-plain-edge-knife/
Now, if you want to show your knife off, that's a different requirement. Your needs sound fairly basic, adding no lock, sub 3 inch blade, and used sometimes as a screwdriver makes finding something suitable kind of hard.
Or you can go with a Swiss army knife or something similar. Remove the requirement for being a screwdriver and all kinds of possibilities open up, like this: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/865583-Spyderco-Terzuola-SLIPIT
If you're OK with that, you can also check out the traditional folding knife folder also on this forum. You can find all kinds of non-locking knives to suit your fancy. Hope this helps.
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Sorry, I was joking about using my knife as a screwdriver, I've only used it for wee tiny screws. I wouldn't use a good knife for that. I've seen a lot of good reviews for vg 10, one guy was actually slightly afraid of his knife opening in his pocket as it was so sharp! A lot of people have suggested spyderco knives. While they are great, I just don't find them pretty.
bodog
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I thought the same thing until I held and used a couple different spydercos, then I figured out why they look like they do. Now I look at knives completely differently. It's about functionality and capability and thought behind the design. That being said, I understand holding off until you find something you really like. Most American knives are locking. Have you tried the British Blade forum?
Jim,
My response would be it depends on the user and for certain reasons.Some guys like 420HC and Sandvik because they understand once a blade is spent the handle is disposable.Low maintenance steels that take a good edge and hold it through reasonable use.Some guys turn to the carbon steel bladed slipjoints for better edge life and sacrifice the conveniences of a modern folder.Then you have super steels which become more discriminatory in their performance as new steels constantly come out and sharpening comfort varies followed by the rat race question of 'which holds it's edge the longest'.There is no ideal steel that satisfies everyone's emotional expectations...use what you're comfortable with.For example I like Sandvik as it's great as a traditional knife steel and a great hunting knife steel but it's a tad brittle versus 420HC.
My response would be it depends on the user and for certain reasons.Some guys like 420HC and Sandvik because they understand once a blade is spent the handle is disposable.Low maintenance steels that take a good edge and hold it through reasonable use.Some guys turn to the carbon steel bladed slipjoints for better edge life and sacrifice the conveniences of a modern folder.Then you have super steels which become more discriminatory in their performance as new steels constantly come out and sharpening comfort varies followed by the rat race question of 'which holds it's edge the longest'.There is no ideal steel that satisfies everyone's emotional expectations...use what you're comfortable with.For example I like Sandvik as it's great as a traditional knife steel and a great hunting knife steel but it's a tad brittle versus 420HC.
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Lots of great responses here. This is a great forum! Asking about the 'best steel' is of course a very personal question since there are so many and as someone responded it depends on what people have experience with. Like 'best car' or best what ever, you will get advice where your milage may vary.
This reminds of a dear Russian friend of mine who replied when I asked him what is his favorite Vodka was. He said "My favorite Vodka is what ever is closest to me". ;0)
This reminds of a dear Russian friend of mine who replied when I asked him what is his favorite Vodka was. He said "My favorite Vodka is what ever is closest to me". ;0)
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Just for general purpose use, a multi-tool like the Leatherman Wave is not a bad option.
In terms of the "best" steel? There isn't one. There are many good steels, and given a good heat treatment even something like AUS8 or 440C can be "good enough" for most usage. In your situation I'd be inclined to grab something like the Buck Vantage Pro, which is S30V with a good heat treatment.
If you want a non-locking folder then the options become much more limited. Although it's not the steel you want, the Byrd Tern is UK legal, very cheap, and is a pretty good knife all things considered.
In terms of the "best" steel? There isn't one. There are many good steels, and given a good heat treatment even something like AUS8 or 440C can be "good enough" for most usage. In your situation I'd be inclined to grab something like the Buck Vantage Pro, which is S30V with a good heat treatment.
If you want a non-locking folder then the options become much more limited. Although it's not the steel you want, the Byrd Tern is UK legal, very cheap, and is a pretty good knife all things considered.