What's your favorite steel?

My bark river 3V microbevel chipped when I accidentally tapped/touched it on a rock, so I don't know. But I guess all steels do that huh?
 
For me it depends...

I mostly use S90V as I find it is stainless enough for EDC, Hunting/skinning applications in both warm/wet and cold/dry environments and it takes a great working edge that it holds for a LOOOOOONNNNGGGGGG time.

If corrosion resistance isn't a concern, but still want that edge holding CPM 10V/A11 in a hunter/EDC pattern.

For a larger blade, CPM 3V all day (need to play with CPM 4V now).

for something that has great toughness, corrosion resistance, takes a very thin geometry and is easy to sharpen...AEB-L.
 
I have lots of favorite steels. I still think the original run INFI is the best steel ever made for my use. After that, For large fixed blades modern INFI, 3V done by someone who knows what they are doing, S7, K329, K340, and L6. For folders, 440C, AUS10, SanMai, ATS34, AEB-L, 12C27. I am no fan of PM steels, even though I listed one.
 
I like Magnacut, Vanax, and S90V. I find Vanax the hardest to get sharp sharp, but once it’s there, it’s good for a while.
 
Corrosion resistance- lc200n
Durability- infi and 3v
Edge holding-s90v or 110v

The above list isn't fair or complete. I love w2 is awesome, 1080+ (80crv2), 4140 (hawks), and so many more great steels. I guess I don't have just 1 favorite.
 
CPM 3V, Elmax, A2, Cru-Wear, K340, 14C28N. Magnacut has really been impressing me, even in harder use tasks.
 
My tops are S7 in big blades, O1 for wood work, Cruwear in pretty much everything else. Magnacut is my favorite stainless.
 
I like Magnacut for it's versatility, 3V for it's toughness, and 14C28N for it's all around attributes while being quite affordable. So many knife steels, but these are the three off the top of my head.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top