Which Steel Is Your Favorite For A Folder?. . . .

3V.

Tough, pretty easy to sharpen with the right tools, scary sharp, holds it well, almost doesn't rust.

Its like INFI, but the toughness and edge holding are swapped.

But I live in NorCal where humidity isnt a problem. Humid places may not like 3V as much?
 
CTS-204P Bohler M390 or CPM-20CV
They're all about the same - i really like these for a folder
Super High Chromium, good amount of Carbon & Vanadium - not too difficult to sharpen (actually easy) - they take a very keen edge and hold it well in my experience
Toughness is not a concern for me in a pocket knife / folder
* However * after using Busse AEB-L- I would much prefer it over any of the above 3 mentioned due to your incredible heat treat - 3 Jack-O-Lanters carved up and still as sharp as it was when I started.
Its so dang impressive!
Screenshot_20251018_165946_Gallery.jpg
 
3V would be an excellent choice. Possibly the new MagnaMax. Either way, run HARD, RC 63+ ideally.

I don't value stainless in a folder a whole lot. My #1 criteria is usually edge holding, followed by toughness. I've been pretty impressed with MagnaMax steel so far (Spyderco Mule Team).
 
M4. It’s tough, but holds a nasty sharp edge like grim death. Last knife I had in M4 held a screaming sharp edge for 3 months under daily use and kept a great working edge for almost a year. Took me 10 minutes to sharpen it back to hair whittling. I was cutting miles of cardboard/aluminum impregnated cardboard and having to slice relief holes in thick plastic jugs - I hit a lot of staples and pallet corners and the edge didn’t chip at all.

Runner ups for me would be Elmax and M390. Stay sharp longer than most, and both of those are stainless.
 
CPM S30v, VG10, 3v , D2, 1095, these are the only pockets I have. To me every one does a great job at a pocket Carry. They are all sharp, I don’t use them as a screwdriver. I don’t use them to hammer .
I like pocket knives to open boxes, self defense in a last resort.
They all work great for this purpose….

It’s true I could use a gerber multi tool for these things but I prefer a higher end. Why? Because I have Money. And I know the riddle of steel..

I like survival knives to split wood, , dig holes, pry open car doors etc. etc.
 
AntDog said:
M4. It’s tough, but holds a nasty sharp edge like grim death. Last knife I had in M4 held a screaming sharp edge for 3 months under daily use and kept a great working edge for almost a year. Took me 10 minutes to sharpen it back to hair whittling. I was cutting miles of cardboard/aluminum impregnated cardboard and having to slice relief holes in thick plastic jugs - I hit a lot of staples and pallet corners and the edge didn’t chip at all.
Click to expand...

I was gonna write M4. Now I'm writing M4 and quoting AntDog's spot-on description.
 
INFI is my favorite steel hands down...I'm an amateur sharpener and even I can get it scary sharp. It's very relaxing for me to do anything with INFI.

AEB-L is an awesome choice for the first folder. Love it too! I was beyond pleased it was chosen for the Trooper!

I mainly care about the differences in steels when it comes to ease of sharpening, burr formation and removal, and chippyness.

Pretty much anything that isn't carbide hell is fine with me. I prefer "sugar cookie" steel composition compared to "chocolate chip" steel composition. I like stainless tendencies, but prefer tool steels, so I'm okay with a tradeoff there. I know how to avoid cancerous rust.

I value toughness over super edge retention. Working sharpness trumps peak sharpness for me. My experience is all blade steels have to be re-sharpened and eventually have their bevels re-ground. So I want something easy and fun to maintain.

This is why INFI checks all my boxes!

But if we're talking something new for BUSSE COMBAT COMPANY, I've heard good things about Vanax.

I think I'd really love it, but I have not owned any? Your thoughts on Vanax Jerry? Anybody?
 
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