Your favourite carbon steel?

N

noob93

Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Messages
433
So I see all these new carbon steels and tool steels coming out like super blue, hap 40 and cpm 3v/4v to name a few. I grew up using a lot of 1095 for fixed blades and a bit of 5160. I have a custom in a2 that's being re worked currently. Just wondering what you guys like. There was a time when one could say well I like to keep things simple with my carbon steel but it would seem carbon steel is not so simple anymore. So what do you guys prefer and how do the super carbon steels such as super blue compare to say 52100 or 01? Yes I know iv asked too many questions... Tis a curse I tell ya. Anyhoo what's your favourite and how do they compare?
 
S7 is my favorite carbon steel to work with.

 
noob93 said:
So I see all these new carbon steels and tool steels coming out like super blue, hap 40 and cpm 3v/4v to name a few. I grew up using a lot of 1095 for fixed blades and a bit of 5160. I have a custom in a2 that's being re worked currently. Just wondering what you guys like. There was a time when one could say well I like to keep things simple with my carbon steel but it would seem carbon steel is not so simple anymore. So what do you guys prefer and how do the super carbon steels such as super blue compare to say 52100 or 01? Yes I know iv asked too many questions... Tis a curse I tell ya. Anyhoo what's your favourite and how do they compare?
Click to expand...

Steel you mentioned in your post is not simple carbon steel , they are alloy steel ?

But Ok , my favorite is HSS- E ................M35 steel , 67HRC and 1.8mm thick and I can say is almost stainless :)

This is the one with red line on picture ....laser !


34t95on.jpg
 
Last edited:
If I have the choice, then 1095 or 1095cv all the way.
I also love the old carbon used by imperial, whatever kind that is exactly.
 
Natlek said:
Steel you mentioned in your post is not simple carbon steel , they are alloy steel ?

But Ok , my favorite is HSS- E ................M35 steel , 67HRC and 1.8mm thick and I can say is almost stainless :)

This is the one with red line on picture ....laser !


34t95on.jpg
Click to expand...

I did say carbon and tool to be fair. The steel you mention is very interesting. Described as M2 with 5 percent cobalt. Sounds interesting. What are edge holding,toughness and sharpenable like?
 
BG42 and 52100 followed closely by 01. 1095v ain't bad either. keepem sharp
 
1095 is the old standby, but I've seen compelling arguments for 1075. I can sharpen stuff on a smooth rock, but not ZDP-189 (my favorite stainless).
 
My favorite is M4. I have a Spyderco Manix 2 that seems to stay sharp for a long time as a utility knife. I have a knife in 1095CV and it didn't seem to stay sharp very long. These are the 2 that I have the most experience with. I have a couple of Bark Rivers with A2 steel but haven't used them enough to form an opinion. I have a Maxamet mule and I would like to try some 52100 when it comes out in the PM2.
 
I really like 52100 for my medium size knives, and 5160 for larger ones that need a bit more toughness.

Lately I've been EDCing a couple of small knives in K720 (O2) and absolutely love the stuff.
 
Definitely K390 for small blades. Rarely ever needs sharpening, when it does, it is so easy to sharpen, and gets very sharp. It can be a little difficult to re-profile an edge though, but once it is set, so easy to maintain!!

PD1/Cru-Wear for small to medium. Good corrosion resistance, super easy to sharpen, gets very sharp, not too bad to re- profile, and very tough!!

CPM 3V for anything from small to very large. Good corrosion resistance, super easy to sharpen, gets scary sharp, not too difficult to re- profile, and can take a beating!!

How do they compare. Other carbon steels have a few things in common with these steels. Tough, easy to sharpen, easy to re-profile. The steel is also cheaper and easier to work with, if you make knives.
 
Last edited:
It depends on who heat treats it. S7 is by far my favorite for medium to large chopper style blades. Its not stainless but it does have a little corrosion resistance which is enough for me. A dime worth of canola oil and no rust issues for me.

Next in line is 52100 because this can do everything I ever need. The only drawback is the rust issue. However, a dime worth of canola oil and its a non-issue.

The last is 5160. Doesn't usually have the wear resistance my 52100 blades do but makes it up in extra durable edges. The canola oil works well for these too.

This list is of steel I like with professional custom ht. If buying a semi-custom or production knife the companies I trust most are:
Survive knives
Busse / SYKCO
ESEE / Rowen - 1095
Becker / Ka Bar 1095cv
 
Natlek said:
...my favorite is HSS- E ................M35 steel , 67HRC and 1.8mm thick and I can say is almost stainless :)
Click to expand...
You and I may be the only ones on this forum who have knives with this steel. I have several.
 
jpm2 said:
You and I may be the only ones on this forum who have knives with this steel. I have several.
Click to expand...

I like it very much , scary steel . This one was TiN coated , but I make some scratch and decide to remove TiN complete .

Here is another one from the same HSS circular saw .These days I'll get another one broken HSS-E circular saw in about 40cm. Dia .and 4mm thick . My friend is probably still crying .... cost over 1200 euro piece :grumpy:


zklh10.jpg


This one is 2.5mm ...................cuts was done with one hand :)

20rtzz5.jpg
 
Last edited:
I'm right there with you noob. When we were young of course there were a smaller variety of steels, but we basically looked at it as a choice of 2, carbon or stainless. I too have a large array of 1095 blades, some older some newer. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. These are awesome times with all the new technologies, new materials and new steels. But it can be a little overwhelming and confusing choosing a new blade. I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable or as informed as many on this forum, but from the few newer steels I have used over the years, you won't be disappointed with CPM-M4. You'll find it in a wide variety of knives from a variety of makers. I also have my first Busse on order, can't wait to see what Infi is all about.
 
OddBlade said:
I'm right there with you noob. When we were young of course there were a smaller variety of steels, but we basically looked at it as a choice of 2, carbon or stainless. I too have a large array of 1095 blades, some older some newer. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. These are awesome times with all the new technologies, new materials and new steels. But it can be a little overwhelming and confusing choosing a new blade. I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable or as informed as many on this forum, but from the few newer steels I have used over the years, you won't be disappointed with CPM-M4. You'll find it in a wide variety of knives from a variety of makers. I also have my first Busse on order, can't wait to see what Infi is all about.
Click to expand...

Yup when I was younger that was basically the choice and out of the two I chose carbon. Don't get me wrong. Swiss Army knife is usually on me but for fixed blades it was a no brainer. I think I might try some cpm M4 it looks good but I'll have to up my sharpening equipment a bit first.
 
Right now I have a 220 grit Arkansas price of junk... It does work just a bit soft. My other stone is a king 1000 6000 combo stone. I really need to get a 400 or 6 I would say.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top