Which steels for fixed and folders

[vulcan2]

Hi everyone, I am choosing steel for a few fixed and folders. Mostly under 4 inches and to be used in a somewhat dry climate. The short list is as below:

for fixed: Elmax-14c28n-Niolox-D2-12C27-BECUT and NITRO-B
for folder: Elmax- M390-S90V-S45VN-magnacut-S30V/35VN

Brands to choose from are pretty limited to: BUCK-BOKER-MORA-FOX, and some other Nordic knife maker.

Could you kindly suggest your preferred steels for fixed and folder blades? (specially fixed ones)

 

[el gigantor]

For fixed I like AEB-L and don’t have experience with any of the steels you listed.

For folding I’d say MagnaCut is the most well-balanced option in your post. That said, I really like S45VN and S90V.

Blade steel is all about trade-offs. It really comes down to what you’re looking for, regarding performance and maintenance.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Cruwear for Everything

 

[DangerZone98]

Short answer: I like S35VN for muh folders and perfectly fine with Jurassic-era 1095 for fixed blades. 5160 steel kicks ass too.

In my non-metallurgist opinion, with modern steels, we can afford to be less “picky” with steel choice. Within reason, I usually assign more weight to the maker rather than the steel. If it’s made by Spyderco, Chris Reeve, Morakniv, Esee, Becker, etc., it’s probably a good knife. Same thing with skilled craftsmen here or outside of BF. If they stand behind their products and have a good reputation, I might buy the knife whatever the steel may be.

It certainly helps to have working knowledge of the common stainless and carbon steels, absolutely. Being aware of your knife’s limitations in terms of stain resistance and toughness means you’re less likely to abuse it. My point simply is that steel choice isn’t the end all and be all.

I’d generally stay away from steels with poor toughness and poor edge retention.

My analogy to firearms here would be that caliber choice should be considered yes, but it’s not everything as well.

 

[ShaiHulud]

AEB-L and 14C28N for both

 

[luethge]

Large Fixed: 3V, 01, A2, 5160, S7, CD1, Ztuff, 1V, 80crv2, 8670, AEB-L, 1095, O2

Medium fixed: everything above and PD1, Cruwear, 4V, D2 ( PSF27 ), Nitro V, Magnucut, Sleipner, Elmax.

Folders: 154CM, S35VN, Cruwear, 4V, Magnucut, CTS-XHP

 

[Henry Beige]

For fixed blades, 80crV2. I find it really easy to live with on my Finnish blades. Dunno if it is the best steel, but whenever I see it listed, it always catches my attention. To continue in this vein, ifvyou are looking for an as yet unspecified Nordic knife, consider Peltonen Sissipukko, or Jakaaripukko from Varusteleka.
For folders, gotta go with the one I use the most, whatever carbon steel Opinel uses.

 

[scorpnsnake]

For me it's more about how the steel is processed than the type. So in no particular order.

Fixed: AEB-L, Cruwear 3V, Magnacut
Folder: S90V, M398, Vanax, Magnacut, RWL-34, M390, S110V

 

[hugofeynman]

50crv4 (or 8670 or 15n20) for fixed, something inox for folder.

 

[cbach8tw]

Let us know what steels you go with.

 

[VorpelSword]

I don't understand the need to choose a steel based on whether or not a knife is a fixed blade or folder (its not you, its ME).

I have always understood the discussion about knife steels to center around intended usage of the blade.

I am open to schooling.