My favorite stainless steels are CPM-20CV & CPM-154CM. I also love CPM-3V as a great all around steel. Cru-Forge V & 52100....really loving these steels lately esp., as I'm acquiring & using more great fixed blades with these two steels, esp. 52100, & I'm finding that fine grain, maximized by the great makers on this forum, really does make a very noticeable difference in performance for me....these blades just get sharper than should be legally allowed, period.
And thank you atavist (OP) for specifically asking us to not talk about geometries/etc...as that's where these types of posts about different steels always go. I'd much rather hear/learn about people's experiences with different steels & just for fun, ignore all the talk about geometry being just about the only thing that matters & we're all stupid for even talking about the different steels....I'm paraphrasing. I love reading about all of the great guys on Bladeforums and their individual experiences with all of the great steel choices out there today - thanks for starting this cool thread!!
And thank you atavist (OP) for specifically asking us to not talk about geometries/etc...as that's where these types of posts about different steels always go. I'd much rather hear/learn about people's experiences with different steels & just for fun, ignore all the talk about geometry being just about the only thing that matters & we're all stupid for even talking about the different steels....I'm paraphrasing. I love reading about all of the great guys on Bladeforums and their individual experiences with all of the great steel choices out there today - thanks for starting this cool thread!!
. ... more of often than not I seem to crest contention ...