What's your favorite steel?

mentalknife said:
is that the technical name for artisan cutlery's steel? You know why they get away with stupid shit like that? Knife bros are great customers but not very wise consumers.
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I was actually being silly when I posted that, but Artisan actually has a powder steel in the same class as Chinese alphabet steel. However, I’m more of a simple carbon steel guy. Since I started making knives, I don’t buy as often as I used to.
 
Steel choices do change, what use to be top of the heap is now old news it seems, my favorite one is 3v, takes a very keen edge, but a lot of knives can do that, maybe even better. Varies with design, edge profile and of course heat treatment.
I know at least one custom maker has no good words for 440C but I've had knives with that and they cut very well. And lately with everyone climbing on the Magnacut train, that is becoming the norm for a lot of people, if it's not Magnacut they may look else where, but one day it will be bested by the next new flavour on the block and could be come passe, but not right away...

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

;)
G2
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Steel choices do change, what use to be top of the heap is now old news it seems, my favorite one is 3v, takes a very keen edge, but a lot of knives can do that, maybe even better.
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And weather changes. I used to carry 3V a lot in the winter, when it is normally dry here. But this winter is the wettest on record, so I'm sticking to stainless now.

(The marketing hype for every cheap steel says it takes a keen edge. :-))
 
I have about four different knife steels that I really like for different reasons. S35vn, 20cv, s30v and Magnacut. And some others that I still like, they just aren’t the top performers but still very useful.

I would have to say my very favorite is my Buck 501 Larrin in Magnacut of course. I’ve used it quite a bit and it is still going strong and still slices paper smoothly. I’ve only touched it up once just a few light strokes on the 600 grit diamond plate and it was screaming sharp. I’ve cut a lot of cardboard, plastic containers, zip ties, canvas, and some food stuff like smoked summer sausage, cheese, french bread, apples, and various samich makings, I’ve done some wood carving and whittling, trimmed some plastic material for a project and like i say it has performed very , very well and has exceeded my expectations.
 
My favorite steel? Buck 425Mod, but barring availability their 420HC - both in their hollow ground geometry.

I like traditional steels that I can sharpen on traditional stones and ceramic rods. I’m not a fan of powder metallurgy steels. I have some, and even carry them, but if I had to neck it down to what I would count on, 425Mod and 420HC will get me through this life with a smile on my face knowing they will stand up to anything I’ll ever encounter.
 
Another Shepherd said:
And weather changes. I used to carry 3V a lot in the winter, when it is normally dry here. But this winter is the wettest on record, so I'm sticking to stainless now.

(The marketing hype for every cheap steel says it takes a keen edge. :))
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I've tried to make 3V react to fresh water. Couldn't make it happen. I've had ZDP-189 rust more easy, wich is rated a stainless steel.

I'm starting to believe u need salty or acidic fluids to make anything happen to that steel.
 
On a folder currently S45 but overall would say XHP

On a fixed blade 01

Went out on a limb and am carrying S110V….. I am hating every minute of it.
 
S30V is good. I get a razor edge on it. S45VN is easy to sharpen, and to get a razor edge. Neither are totl, but they're both pretty good. D2 isn't as bad as people think. It's a bit hard, but overall it makes a good blade. I was wondering what the practical differences between D2 and CPM D2 are.
 
awesome14 said:
S30V is good. I get a razor edge on it. S45VN is easy to sharpen, and to get a razor edge. Neither are totl, but they're both pretty good. D2 isn't as bad as people think. It's a bit hard, but overall it makes a good blade. I was wondering what the practical differences between D2 and CPM D2 are.
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CPM D2 will have better toughness. Very basically, the CPM process in comparison to ingot casting causes the carbides to remain smaller and more evenly spread out and reduces the formation of larger carbides which reduce toughness. You can get a much better explanation from knifesteelnerds:

knifesteelnerds.com

What is Powder Metallurgy? - Knife Steel Nerds

Thanks to Greg Jessen for becoming a Knife Steel Nerds Patreon supporter! There is currently a poll on Patreon for voting members on what equipment I will purchase for future research. Conventional Casting Conventional casting of steel involves the alloying of steel in the molten, liquid form...
knifesteelnerds.com knifesteelnerds.com
 
420HC is my favorite steel for a field use knife. It has high toughness, high corrosion resistance, it's very easy to sharpen, and it's inexpensive.

I can't say I've ever had any cause to complain about DIN 1.4116, the steel Victorinox uses for their Swiss Army knives. My most used knives of all time have always been my Victorinox knives.

440A is a great steel for a marine use knife, which is why Myerchin uses it.
 
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