What's your favorite knife steel?

R

raythebigfoot

Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
709
I'm sure there must be something like this already started in the forums, but I couldn't find it anywhere and I'm interested in getting people's opinions on what their favorite knife steels are and why. So if you have any experience either using or grinding different knife steels give a shout out and let's see what everyone's favorite steels really are!!
 
From what's available today, D-2 and M-2. IMHO, about as close to a "perfect" cutlery steel as can be found. But I sure would like to see someone offer CPM M4.:):):)
 
Favorites: W2, M2, ZDP189, BG42, S90V,SG1, SG2 ( super gold), Vascowear, Super Blue, A2, 1070 thru 1095, Duratech 20CV ( team leader at RC 60), plain old VG10

Want to try:CPM M4 , ZDP247 , YXR7, SRS15, CPM S125V, 10V, T1, F8 etc.
 
Stainless -440C ,best value and if I want stainless I want really stainless.

Tool Steel-(my person fave steel type for knives) INFI

Carbon- 1095 ,It's a classic

Spring steel- 5160 ,people forget about spring steel but it makes great large blades and swords.


Honerable mention's A2 ,O1 , S7 ,VG10 , 52100,

I am so sick of S30V ,the most over hyped steel ever. A certain BIG company has been useing it but purposely under hardening it so their customers can actually sharpen it. It is a great steel for some things but has become necessary to sell knives even when a cheaper steel would better suit it's intended purpose.
 
I like the steel used in the Byrd line a lot. Corrosion resistance is kind of low, but it's got great edge holding and stability under acute edge angles for the price you pay.

I also like Kershaw's 13C27. The edge holding isn't quite as good as the Byrd steel in my experience, but this steel takes a really nice, sharp edge for me and has been pretty durable overall.

I tend to gravitate towards "lower end" steels like 13C27, 440C, AUS8 etc. When given a good heat treat I find these steels to take extremely sharp edges while being worlds easier to sharpen than S60V and the like.
 
I tend to lean more toward steels like, aus 8,1095,D2. certainly not wundersteels but properly treated will do the job. ahgar
 
My favorite steel by far is 154CM. It gives me a knife with excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance.
A short list of my 154CM steel blades:

Benchmade Mini AFCK
Microtech Mini Socom
Benchmade AFO
Benchmade Spear Point Stryker
Benchmade Mini Griptilian
Benchmade McHenry & Williams
AlMar SERE Operator
Benchmade Mini Stryker
 
Well I don't use my knives hard enough to tell much difference, but my favorite steels consist of VG-10, S30V, 154CM, D2, A2, and 1095...Most of the time I buy and use knives with 154CM, that seems to be such a widely used steel for knives in the $40 - $80 price range...So I am most use to that...A2, D2, and S30V are awesoem steels, but I have not used them all that much, and not hard enough to appreciate their value...and 1095 is a classic, and is great for larger knives used alot in my opinion...

I would liek to use BG-42, S90V, and ZDP-189 sometime in the near future...
 
Vivi said:
I like the steel used in the Byrd line a lot. Corrosion resistance is kind of low, but it's got great edge holding and stability under acute edge angles for the price you pay.

I also like Kershaw's 13C27. The edge holding isn't quite as good as the Byrd steel in my experience, but this steel takes a really nice, sharp edge for me and has been pretty durable overall.

I tend to gravitate towards "lower end" steels like 13C27, 440C, AUS8 etc. When given a good heat treat I find these steels to take extremely sharp edges while being worlds easier to sharpen than S60V and the like.
Click to expand...

Ok, this is strange..because I was thinking the same thing.

Maybe we are twins separated at birth?
Are you also amazingly handsome with an IQ of 400? :D

I really like AUS8, Byrd steel, and SAK steel.
Would love to they the Kershaw stuff.
 
I really like 154cm,D2,440C,s90v,1095.Carbon V was extremely sharp with my Arc Angel.... I really enjoy most steels, they all have special purposes so my knife buying decisions arent based off of what steel they are except for-440a,420Hc or J2,aus6 etc.
 
Just my $0.02 worth,,,,,,

In this order

#1 52100

#2 52100

#3 52100

For hunter/camp sized blades, period.

Edit, 52100 to me give a lot of options in forging, somewhat forgiving, but most of all, it holds an edge well, and will take an edge in what seems faster then most any steel that will cut as well.
 
I have more blades in 5160 than anything else but for EDC I lean towards the "lower end" steels: AUS8, 12c27, 440A, CV, 1095, 420HC. I've been pairing a SAK with a big Okapi recently (INOX and 1055). I'm a pretty light user, of moderate sharpening skills. The low end steels hold an edge long enough for my uses and are easier to reprofile. They're also a little more forgiving if I'm packing light and have to use the wrong tool for the job. S30V didn't suit my uses (it's like a Corvette and 9 times out of 10 I need a hatchback or a light truck). YMMV

Frank
 
Unsub said:
I am so sick of S30V ,the most over hyped steel ever. A certain BIG company has been useing it but purposely under hardening it so their customers can actually sharpen it. It is a great steel for some things but has become necessary to sell knives even when a cheaper steel would better suit it's intended purpose.
Click to expand...


Can someone please tell me which "certain BIG company" this is? Is it Buck? Sypderco? I would like a Cabelas Buck. I have a Sypderdo Native, well, as soon as I rent a metal detector and go find it on the pond dam I lost it on Sunday.

Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top