Whats the ultimate steel for a blade?

B

BillyHudak

Joined
Jan 4, 2018
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I was wondering what the ultimate material for a blade is?
Is there a favorite amongst you knife enthusiasts?
Whats the ultimate?
 
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Vanadis 4 extra. Incredible wear resistance and good toughness, even at 63/64hrc. Just adjust geometry and you can use it in a slicer/hunter and in a big chopper.
 
Welcome to the forum.

As for your question, it depends on the intended cutting application and the desired attributes. And of course, a big part of it is personal preference. For example, if the individual uses the knife at camp for woodcraft and wants a tough steel that is easy to sharpen, then good old O1 might his "ultimate" steel. However, if the individual uses the knife for breaking down cardboard and prefers a premium super steel with maximum edge retention, then S110V might be it.

So when you say "ultimate", what do you have in mind? What is the intended application of the knife? Do you want it to be tough, easy to sharpen, resistant to corrosion, resistant to abrasion, etc.? Or perhaps you're just wondering what the most popular super steels are at this time. Say more.
 
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There is no "ultimate" otherwise we wouldn't be here. We would just buy the pattern we like in that alloy and be done with it.

What do you use your knives for?
 
No such thing. I want a really different steel in my axe than I do for my dive knife. I want one steel in my EDC knife, but a very different one in a knife I gift my father. Heck, I'm comfortable gifting my mother a kitchen knife in high carbon, but for my sister I'm gonna go stainless every time.

There are a lot of different properties to consider when looking at steel and matching the properties to the intended use is more important than figuring out the best. If you're on here for some time you'll probably try a variety of steels and gradually figure out what you prefer.
 
Vanadis 4 extra, CPM 4v, CPM Cru-wear, K390



Takefu Cobalt Special (CoS) CTS BD1N


White 1a, Super blue



Unknown

VANAX
 
My favorite steels are CPM-154 for all around performance (CTS-XHP dead tied in this category), 14c28n for keen edges and ease of sharpening, and M390 for all around performance with high edge retention. The only other steel that really wowed me was Maxamet for sheer insane edge retention, but bloody hell is it hard to sharpen.
 
M4 for pure slicing(K390 is also great)
LC200N if corrosion is a concern
ZDP-189 for best all around/EDC/really hard use with 20CV a close second
N690 for budget knives

Overall ZDP-189 is as good as it gets for everything I do.

Honorable mention: S110V cause it's so fucking bad :D
 
I've taken a recent liking to Nitro V which is a nitrogen based [actually stain-proof] steel similar to LC200N (from what I understand is pretty much the same thing from another foundry). Fun note it's the only blade Steel I own in a blasted finish cause of how stain proof it really is.

For carbon / tool steels my current favorite are 3V and its always hard to beat A2 and 01.

Elmax is my favorite standard "stainless" PM steel because of its toughness, yes other stainless PM steels can hold an edge longer but, for my use, toughness is king over slightly increased wear resistance.


I really want to try Vanadis 4 Extra but the knife maker who uses it here and is skilled at working it isn't making the knives I wanted in it anymore so I'll have to wait on trying it...

Also really want to try a shock steel; S7.
 
I'd go with a laminate of Adamantium on top of Vibranium. Vibranium for strength and flexibility but Adamantium for the ability to take and keep a screaming sharp edge. Vibranium is a total pita to work with on my sharpening stones. It keeps breaking them.

Of course, neither Adamantium nor Vibranium work well as a machine steel, so we'd go with Unobtainium for the assembly hardware (security Torx head, of course).
 
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