favorite steel

Popsickle · #1

What is your favorite steel that spyderco uses, and why? Also what is normal da to day use for your favorite steel?

Blerv · #2

It's hard to beat VG10. It's a great steel and offered in most of the knives I love (Seki makes a TON of knives). It also keeps the price reasonable. H1 is a great worker knife too.

When the price makes sense the more exotic offerings make me happy :) . CPM-M4, ZDP-189, S90v, etc. I LOVE the fact that almost any ZDP knife is also offered in FRN making for a terrific deal for every-day-users with a touch of snobbery.

Guh, basically I haven't tried one I didn't love.

unit · #3

Blerv wrote:It's hard to beat VG10. It's a great steel and offered in most of the knives I love (Seki makes a TON of knives). It also keeps the price reasonable. H1 is a great worker knife too.

When the price makes sense the more exotic offerings make me happy :) . CPM-M4, ZDP-189, S90v, etc. I LOVE the fact that almost any ZDP knife is also offered in FRN making for a terrific deal for every-day-users with a touch of snobbery.

Guh, basically I haven't tried one I didn't love.

Yep, I have nothing to add.

SQSAR · #4

I'd have to say S90v (with M4 running a close second). It just seems to take a wicked keen edge for me, and then keeps it for a loooong time. I've no problem maintaining it, or re-sharpening/profiling it on the rare occasion I work it too hard for too long without visiting my Sharpmaker. Not saying S90v is inherently 'better' than all other steels, but it sure has found a place in my heart. That said, I can't wait to get my CTS20CP Para2 to see how that stands up next to my S90v Para2.

psychophipps · #5

Another vote for VG10. Does everything really well and stays easy to sharpen.

catamount · #6

Right now, it's a tossup between VG-10 and CTS-XHP.

Dr. Snubnose · #7

I like VG-10 and 154CM a lot...second favorites would be D2 and S30V....but my most favorite is Surgical Steel from Pakistan :p H1 not too bad either...Doc :D

chuck_roxas45 · #8

Does this count?

Dr. Snubnose · #9

Of course that counts...now go start a fire!....Chuck I just figured out that your avatar is a dog with day glow eyes...LOL :eek: :eek: :eek: ....Doc :D

chuck_roxas45 · #10

Dr. Snubnose wrote:Of course that counts...now go start a fire!....Chuck I just figured out that your avatar is a dog with day glow eyes...LOL :eek: :eek: :eek: ....Doc :D

I would if I knew how Doc. My avatar is ruger. He has tritium inserts for eyes. The one on the tip of his tail is orange and when his tail is up, it makes a good sight picture in the dark. :p

Blerv · #11

Haha! Well that's certainly the most "flashy steel".

Sigh, plz try and forget that.

Michael Cook · #12

:spyder: S30v, I find it much easier to get it very sharp than any other steel. Dunno why I find it a lot easier than vg-10 to sharpen but I do. :spyder:

The Mentaculous · #13

I really like the variety...I wouldn't want to use to many of just one steel. However, I agree that VG-10 is a great all-around steel. IMO it has the perfect balance of characteristics. Toughness, hardness/edge retention, fine grain structure, easy to polish and sharpen.

I'd say if I were to choose one steel though that I've enjoyed using the most, it was probably be ZDP-189. Also, CTS-XHP has been a joy to use as well--I can't wait for th Military in it!

phillipsted · #14

VG10 is hard to beat for everyday use. I like the ease with which it sharpens and the length it keeps a good edge. Also it is less expensive than some of the new "wonder steels".

TedP

cckw · #15

In Spydercos I don't care too much, as long as it isn't China steel. In my hunting knives they all seem to be D2.

clovisc · #16

without a doubt, H1.

i like VG-10 for its great balance of rust resistance, ease of sharpening, and edge retention... but i'll always take H1 over everything else. :eek:

geronm042 · #17

VG10 and very very close, S30V. Just because VG-10 takes a better finish. I think that both of them get a crazy edge, and I can't feel a significant difference between how they hold it... But are easy to maintain !

dbcad · #18

After being here a while and doing a lot of independent reading I find that they are all really good high quality steels the way :spyder: treats them. From my informal browsing the quantity of vg-10, s30v and ZDP189 offerings from :spyder: far outweigh those from competitors.

vg-10 is easy to sharpen and takes a really nice edge, s30v is a little tougher to sharpen, but both are extremely corrosion resistant. ZDP is a PITA to sharpen and needs a light touch and patience. It rewards you when you get there :)

I'm thinking 50% is in the HT of the steels. "Steel is the heart of the blade, heat treating is the spirit"

It helps that the founder of :spyder: is an avowed steel junky :D :D

Chris_H · #19

Based on my collection and the amount of use I have on the various steels, ZDP-189 and CPM-S30V are my favorites. I can get both nasty sharp and they keep an edge for a good amount of time.

Next tier back for me VG-10 and MBS-26. While I can get VG-10 air-bleeding sharp, I don't like how fast the edge fades. I have a large set of the Spyderco kitchen knives (black sermollan handles) that I use everyday for food prep. The thin stock plus rapid ability to sharpen to a fine edge are nice.

I really need to use more of the exotic steels that are out instead of just ogling them. :rolleyes:

Cheygriz · #20

S90V
CPM M-4
Nothing else even comes close to these two for my uses! :)

ZDP 189
VG10
Tied for 5th D-2, S30V
440C if properly hardened.

In that order. :p

Someday, I'd like to try S35VN and M390