Why M398 for high-end knives?

What are you talking about?

It is one of my favorite steels to split knotty logs with.

Other steels except M398 that I use for batoning are S110V, S125V, S90V, Maxamet, and Rex 121...



This up there is satire.
M398 is good to cut veggies and meat, and also to open boxes, cut off price tags and similar use people use their EDC knives for...

If you baton it - beware of shrapnel...

Edit - typos
 
As far as an edc folder goes (for me and my needs) , toughness never even makes it into consideration. I’m all about edge retention and corrosion assistance.

Now a fixed blade for outdoor use = different story.
 
It has seems to me that M398 and RWL34 are pretty popular premium knife steels with a lot of makers from South Africa and Europe. I figured it was a cost issue or maybe what their customers want? I have knives with both and have no issues.
 
I think its a mixture of availability (to them)
Cost (to them) and their own personal skill level. Not all steels are the same and as such I will assume some makers dont know how to work certain steels, like they do others
 
At the end of the day.. it wasn’t developed for pocket knives..

Look at what it’s developed for in industry. Like most of the other steels out there.
 
That's why I like MagnaCut and MagnaMax. They were made for knives. MagnaCut is proven to me and I am trying MagnaMax now. I would try M398 though given the right circumstances.

PXL_20260712_170910952.jpg
 
I had a Spyderco metropolitan LW in m398, it had a working "does the job" edge but I found myself frustrated with it's shortcomings, however it has remained a constant carry because i liked the knife outside of the steel. I personally would not buy another knife in the steel, better options available..
 
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