http://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtop ... 3&start=20
At the end of the day any steel choice will be up to the Spydercrew but at least this poll will show what the majority of forumites want. Here are short descriptions of the steels to help make your mind up :)
CPM S110V
Aisi 52100CPM S110V is a high alloy martensitic stainless tool steel
produced by the Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM)
process. CPM S110V contains a high volume fraction of
both vanadium-rich and niobium-rich primary alloy carbides
for exceptionally good wear resistance compared to other
commercially available PM tool steels. It also offers better
corrosion resistance than 440C or CPM S90V.
The CPM process results in a fine and uniform carbide
distribution in CPM S110V compared to conventionally
produced high alloy tool steels which results in relatively
good machining, grinding, and toughness characteristics
despite the high alloy content.
CruwearAISI 52100 is a high carbon tool steel containing low quantities of manganese and chromium to improve hardening. Because of the low chromium levels in 52100 steel, it has very low corrosion resistance compared to other higher chromium tool steels.
In applications where corrosion is less of an issue, 52100 tool steel is considered an ideal, affordable option, offering a very fine grain with superior edge retention. It is capable of cutting a wide range of materials because of its combination of toughness, wear-resistance, and hardness.
CPM M4CRU-WEAR® is an air hardening tool steel possessing an excellent combination of high wear resistance and toughness. This grade is readily machined in the annealed condition (using parameters similar to D2) and exhibits minimal distortion in hardening. The normal heat treatment is compatible to a wide variety of surface coatings such as nitriding, tin coating, etc.
CRU-WEAR excels in applications that require higher wear resistance than D2, greater toughness than M2 high speed steel, or in applications that require both.
The combination of wear resistance, compressive strength, and exceptional toughness make CRU-WEAR a great choice for a wide variety of demanding tooling applications.
CPM M4 is a special purpose high-speed tool steel, containing a high level of vanadium. M4 is tougher and more wear resistant than M2 and M3 in high speed cutting applications involving light cuts.
CPM M4 also comes in several modifications including high carbon (HC), which offers a better hardening response during treating. Additionally, the high sulfur (HS) modification, standard in larger diameter stock, allows for improved machinability and grindability over traditional M4 steel.
As with all CPM steels, CPM M4 us created using Crucible’s patented Crucible Particle Metallurgy process, which provides a highly homogeneous, stable, grindable, and tough product compared to steels created using traditional metallurgy.
