Why can't I get excited about "supersteels?"

Boats

Boats

Joined
Aug 7, 2003
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I have my moments, like when I bought my Spydie Pacific Salt in H-1, but I look at my fixed blades and here is what I find: 1095, D2, A2, 1095, 1095, A2, A2, D2, and I just bought another knife in 1095.

I could afford "exotica," but I never seem to buy it. Maybe I have been around too long and seen too many flavors of the months and just go to what I know works for me?
 
You realize you are making a comparison between a stainless folder and tool steel fixed blades... I mean... Yes, I wonder why they don't make a toothbrush head from a solid piece of CMP S90V with file grooves. Then you'll need to replace it a lot less often.
 
I am not comparing them, just relating that buying H-1 was an "event" in for collection, and would have been in a fixed blade too. Most of my folders are D2 or M2 Benchmades.
 
kel_aa said:
If it was an "event", then I must assume you were somewhat excited.
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What he's trying to get at is that generally, he can't get excited about the newest super steels, and prefers tool steels or high carbon steels, and that buying the H1 was a bit of an event.
 
Boats said:
I have my moments, like when I bought my Spydie Pacific Salt in H-1, but I look at my fixed blades and here is what I find: 1095, D2, A2, 1095, 1095, A2, A2, D2, and I just bought another knife in 1095.

I could afford "exotica," but I never seem to buy it. Maybe I have been around too long and seen too many flavors of the months and just go to what I know works for me?
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What is the question? You can not get excited with supersteel which you never had? I can not quite get it. You have tool steel plus M2 an you never have high vanadium PM steel or ZDP-189 and have no desire to buy one - what is you problem? If this bother you - may be you get over youself and buy one ZDP-189 knife or whatever you mean by "supersteel"? Is it what your problem or what?

Thanks, Vassili.
 
Well, I don't know if I have a "problem," but faced with spec sheets and hype, I find myself mostly yawning.:D
 
geez guys, ease up on him!
he was just making a comment on his preference in steel.
remember we're only talking about metal here, and noone's trying to change your mind.
:grumpy:
 
I'm the same way. I tend to get the "best" steel I can get that's available on the knife, but honestly, I don't really care if it has 440C or S30V...
As long as it makes my steels list (which starts at AUS8 and 440C) I just don't care that much.

But, putting a super steel in a new knife makes us feel a little better about dropping the 100+ on it, probably.
 
I like to try new metals.

It's obvious you like the characteristics of carbon steels (I do too).

But, new metals sometimes have similiar attributes (or claim to) and are worth a try in my book.

At the moment, S30V and D2 seem to be the steels of the month. ZDP seems to be coming on strong.

If your expecting a super diference/improvement, I can see where the lack of excitement is coming from. Improvements seem to be relegated to the incremental.

It's akin to a High-Wall versus a HK93. Big difference in performance under various performance criteria, but the incremental steps in the evolution of the technology can be seen as small. And, if your primary use is a single shot fired, not all the great.

Try comparing a pocket knife circa 1850 to one of the newer ones with a newer steel. Big difference. Yet, they both will perform the base function.

I'll take the incremental improvements offered over the knives of the 80's. I appreciatte less sharpening, etc.
 
damn, it's as if a couple of you own stock in crucible or something.

I like to try out different steels, but I don't go for the 'super' steel hype so much. I have one S30V blade, and half a dozen ats34/154cm blades (the old super steel) just because that's what the knives comes in. I enjoy my dendritic cobalt Boye folder as much as my M2 Rittergrip, and those two are on opposite ends of the steel spectrum. I don't look for the miracle do it all steel, just like the sampling.
 
Boats said:
I have my moments, like when I bought my Spydie Pacific Salt in H-1, but I look at my fixed blades and here is what I find: 1095, D2, A2, 1095, 1095, A2, A2, D2, and I just bought another knife in 1095.

I could afford "exotica," but I never seem to buy it. Maybe I have been around too long and seen too many flavors of the months and just go to what I know works for me?
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The H-1 is getting very popular where I live with salt-water fisherman and scuba divers because it just plain doesn't rust, yet holds a decent edge. It is the best steel for these particular uses. Nobody considers it "exotic", just darn useful.

There are so many great knife steels available. 440-C is still up near the top of my list. Want to win a bet? Bet another knife owner that your 440-C blade has more rust resistent chromium in it that his new wizbang steel blade does.

Much depends though on the grind and the heat treatment. A good knife is a "system" of components that all work together.

Some of the warrior knives are made from great materials but the ergonomics are terrible and my hand cramps after five minutes of cutting with one.
 
Boats said:
Well, I don't know if I have a "problem," but faced with spec sheets and hype, I find myself mostly yawning.:D
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OK, this is statement and in general this mean that you do not trust advertizements - hype. Well, there are many people like this - some people do not have DVD or even TV set, because they do not trust "all this technology". I know some people who do not trust computers etc. However majority does not ignore the progress and enjoy new things offered by modern science - in this case ZDP-189 clearly outperform many steels in cutting and sharpeness, same for SRS-15 and I enjoy it.

There is some hype around some steel - result of manufacturers PR compain. But there is several supersteels which are not advertized at all, even unadvertized - M2 best example, it is a great steel but hard for manufacturers and so they PR against it. Same for all CPM steels which have certain abrasion resistance level which does not fit current grinding technology - everithing over CPM S30V and CPM S3V - CPM S90V, CPM 9V, CPM 10V... Other foreing and unavailable steels like SRS15 and 110X18MSHD.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
I like to try new steels just for the hell of it. Of course I was not willing to shell out the money for a WH Folder to try out ZDP-189. Now a ZDP-189 Calypso Jr. @ $69 - sure why not. It's been a nice blade steel, but it does no better at my cutting jobs than a plain 440C blade. I'd really like a ZDP-189 Delica, but I don't intend to pay scalper prices, my mistake by not pre-ordering.

Some of my most used fixed blades are pretty basic: Small Anza FB in my truck, and either a Barry Dawson FB Pocket Knife in ATS-34 or a Benchmade FB in 440C. Most of my EDC folders are VG-10 because I like Spyderco knives. Though I have a custom Dick Atkinson folder that I like a lot that is 440C.
 
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