What's Your Absolute Favorite Spyderco Steel?

[Jibbles]

Alright, this may be a question for steel snobs, but whatever..
We all know the adage "different steel for different tools/jobs", but if you were to pick that one steel that Spyderco uses to call your all-time favorite, what would it be?

For me it would be Spydercos CPM-M4 (on their Gayle Bradley especially).

I've been thoroughly impressed with this steel. I've used it extensively in the last months of owning it.
I've even taken it camping a couple of times and used it exclusively as my only knife (as my fixed blades stood as backup).
This stuff not only holds a phenomenal edge, but it's actually a pleasure to touch up. I recently did a lot of wood processing (whittling, sharpening sticks, shaping walking sticks, etc, etc) and it was still respectably sharp.
When it stopped popping hairs I just did 10 or so wet swipes on the flats of my fine Sharpmaker rods, then another dozen on the ultra fine rods and it was back to making hairs jump just by getting near the edge

My second place would probably be CTS-204p, though I haven't really beat on my blades that have that steel, so I can't really elaborate.

But yea, for me it's CPM-M4. Especially the way Spyderco does theirs (I've uses competitor's M4 and though it's great, Spyderco's execution is just superb).

So, what's your favorite steel?

 

[hank_rearden]

zdp 189. stainless, gets sharper than any steel, cheap and available in blade lengths from 1 1/2 to just under 4 inches.

 

[Shaggy]

CTS-20CP. Does it ever get dull?

 

[SouthEast]

S30V... they fit my needs best. Superblue and VG10 gets no. 2 most favourite.

 

[Surfingringo]

I really like superblue and M4, but H1 is probably my favorite.

 

[The Mastiff]

Very tough question. Can I include the mules? Yes?

Then K390

no?

Cruwear

and CPM M4, S110V, 3V, BG42, S30V, VG10, CTS 204P, etc.

By far over the years I've had an endura in my pocket constantly along with any other knives I carried so I'd say I have the most time using and resharpening VG10. I've yet to encounter a bad performing Spyderco VG10 knife.

 

[evilgreg]

For the most part, it makes no difference to me.

 

[The Deacon]

I'm ok with S30V, S35VN, 154CM, GIN-1, AUS-8, ATS-34, and ATS-55, but if all the models I like had to be made in only one steel, I'd prefer that steel to be VG-10.

OTOH, if there was ever a chance of seeing a Stretch with a 1.3mm blade, I'd go with MBS-26.

 

[Custom]

M4 is my favourite with superblue being a close second

 

[White.Lightning]

Devils advocate: Which Spyderco steels are least favored? Seems like you guys named a ton of good ones....whats left?!?

 

[Lennyo3034]

I own a Manix 2 in CPM-M4, and feel that it is superior to BM's M4. And I actually prefer BM knives to spyderco, but they don't do their M4 as well.

 

[Evany]

My favorites are M390 and Superblue. I'm just getting to know CTS204P. So far I like it a lot. It seems to have a slightly different feel against the sharpening stones from M390.

 

[phillipsted]

CTS-20CP. It is a shame that they haven't made many blades in this steel. My Sprint Para2 is my favorite knife.

TedP

 

[oldmanrunning]

Had you asked me a week ago i would of said,"Best all round steel VG 10", then i got a Chaparral, this CTS-XHP is outstanding.

 

[asmith001]

I've only had S30V, S90V, CTS-BD1, 440C, and H1 from Spyderco. Obviously, S90V is a big step above the rest of those.

 

[The Deacon]

Devils advocate: Which Spyderco steels are least favored? Seems like you guys named a ton of good ones....whats left?!?

ZDP-189 and anything that's even less stainless.

 

[wotanson]

S30V hands down, ZDP-189 a close second.

 

[BladeCommander]

I like ZDP-189 spydercos. I have about 4 spydies in ZDP. It gets crazy sharp, and stays sharp for a long time.
I like the 204P on my Southard as well, but can't seem to get it as sharp as the ZDP. Could have something to do with the bevel. I haven't reprofiled the Southard completely because I only have a Sharpmaker.

1. ZDP-189
2. CST-204P

 

[nccole]

CPM S110V and CPM CRUWEAR. CPM M4, CTS-204P, Super Blue, and VG-10 are some others.

Least favorite is S30V.

 

[bdmicarta]

I would have said M4, but in my limited experience it did not live up to expectations. I now have the S110V Manix 2 and as soon as I get a good supply of cardboard I intend to do some testing with it.