Updated shaman sprint steel poll

[Bodog]

Please disregard the last one and recast your vote. I'm leaving off some of the ones that didn't appear to get much intial traction and adding some that i didn't think about that a lot of people have asked for in the past. Trying to keep it to American made steels as much as possible due to cost of shipping and importation.

And dang it, i forgot s90v on this one. If that is your vote please specify. I'll try to count up the votes for steels here in several days and give a tally if your vote isn't on the list.

[Sjucaveman]

I think s90v is a miss on a tough knife like this. This folder needs tough steel like 4v, m4, cruwear.

Preferably scales that aren't jade.

[Larry_Mott]

M4, Satin finish and the check will be in the mail!
EDIT: And for the love of God and small children - NO JADE/SNOT scales!

[Bodog]

I'd prefer a tough tool steel too

[ugaarguy]

I don't like this poll. You have 7 tool steels and only 3 stainless options. Of the stainless options, two are specialty nitrogen steels, and only one is a conventional steel. I went with Vanax because it's supposed to be the toughest stainless steel on the market. Also, it would be totally different since Spyderco already offers tool steels on other folders.

[Liquid Cobra]

S90V

[wrdwrght]

To hear The Gringo speak of it, Vanax is the next big thing. I listen to Lance.

ETA: I am open to Cruwear, I hasten to add.

[koenigsegg]

To hear The Gringo speak of it, Vanax is the next big thing. I listen to Lance.

I can't wait for a Mule or other production knife in this steel

[Hopweaver]

One more for S90V, although I ended up voting for 204P in the poll since I thought it would be the best performing Stainless of the ones listed.

[Rutger]

What's up with all the love for Cruwear? Thought 3V and M4 outperform it. Am i missing something?
Cruwear is not something i like with the default light grey scales it comes in generally.

[bearfacedkiller]

^
I would say it falls somewhere in between 3V and M4 with 3V being tougher and M4 being more wear resistant.

For me Cruwear offers the best balance of properties. It sharpens like a basic steel, it is almost as stainless as a stainless steel, tough like a tool steel and has the wear resistance to compete with many of the premium vanadium steels like XHP and S30V.

There is no steel that excels in every category. If there was we would be able to pick the best blade steel. Instead we are forced to give up one attribute in exchange for another and find the balance point for our intended application. Cruwear may not be the best in any area but it is good at everything and bad at nothing.

[blueblur]

Put me down for cruwear. I like the properties and it seems to come in at a good price point.

[Rutger]

From what i read people seem to prefer the ease of sharpening and the type of edge Cruwear gives. Cause it doesn't seem to be better in the standard toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention points compared to similar well rounded steels like 3V or M4. I guess the difference is in the little things you can't always measure.
I don't care too much about about corrosion resistance and with the thick blade on the shaman i don't think toughness is a big issue. So i personally would aim for a steel with more edge retention.

I like this steel chart from Gary Creely to compare steels. It's not perfect science and complete, but gives a nice guideline.

[ugaarguy]

From what i read people seem to prefer the ease of sharpening and the type of edge Cruwear gives. Cause it doesn't seem to be better in the standard toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention points compared to similar well rounded steels like 3V or M4. I guess the difference is in the little things you can't always measure.
I don't care too much about about corrosion resistance and with the thick blade on the shaman i don't think toughness is a big issue. So i personally would aim for a steel with more edge retention.

I like this steel chart from Gary Creely to compare steels. It's not perfect science and complete, but gives a nice guideline.

Who is Gary Creely? He has Elmax as one of his least tough stainless steels. Alpha Knife Supply says Elmax is of the toughest stainless steels they've tested. I'm confused.

[Pelagic]

Wow, whata difficult choice. I went with 4v because it would be something new. Surprised at how many people are diehard for cruwear when 4v would perform very similarly. Both are essentially between 3v and m4 in regard to edge retention/toughness.

I would be very enthusiastic about nearly every steel on this list.

[Deadboxhero]

From what i read people seem to prefer the ease of sharpening and the type of edge Cruwear gives. Cause it doesn't seem to be better in the standard toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention points compared to similar well rounded steels like 3V or M4. I guess the difference is in the little things you can't always measure.
I don't care too much about about corrosion resistance and with the thick blade on the shaman i don't think toughness is a big issue. So i personally would aim for a steel with more edge retention.

I like this steel chart from Gary Creely to compare steels. It's not perfect science and complete, but gives a nice guideline.

Charts charts charts

Nah, cruwear has more edge stability then M4 meaning better performance with polished edges

It also has similar wear resistance to M4, it's tougher than M4, less likely to chip at the edge then M4 even at higher hardness.

4v is tougher but cruwear had more bite at the edge at the same finish and took a better crisper edge. But 4v is tougher at insane hardness just not as aggressive at the edge.

Cruwear is less reactive then 4v and M4 will resist stain and rust better, However like D2 and 3v it's not a stainless steel.

3v doesn't have the strength of cruwear, and will roll when pushed to the limit vs cruwear will just hold it's shape, less rolling but less malleable.

[koenigsegg]

From what i read people seem to prefer the ease of sharpening and the type of edge Cruwear gives. Cause it doesn't seem to be better in the standard toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention points compared to similar well rounded steels like 3V or M4. I guess the difference is in the little things you can't always measure.
I don't care too much about about corrosion resistance and with the thick blade on the shaman i don't think toughness is a big issue. So i personally would aim for a steel with more edge retention.

I like this steel chart from Gary Creely to compare steels. It's not perfect science and complete, but gives a nice guideline.

Charts charts charts

Nah, cruwear has more edge stability then M4 meaning better performance with polished edges

It also has similar wear resistance to M4, it's tougher than M4, less likely to chip at the edge then M4 even at higher hardness.

4v is tougher but cruwear had more bite at the edge at the same finish and took a better crisper edge. But 4v is tougher at insane hardness just not as aggressive at the edge.

Cruwear is less reactive then 4v and M4 will resist stain and rust better, However like D2 and 3v it's not a stainless steel.

3v doesn't have the strength of cruwear, and will roll when pushed to the limit vs cruwear will just hold it's shape, less rolling but less malleable.

How does K390 compare to Cruwear and M4 on all these properties? I haven't had cruwear yet but K390 was awesome to sharpen and took a crazy good edge.

[Rutger]

Nah, cruwear has more edge stability then M4 meaning better performance with polished edges

It also has similar wear resistance to M4, it's tougher than M4, less likely to chip at the edge then M4 even at higher hardness.

4v is tougher but cruwear had more bite at the edge at the same finish and took a better crisper edge. But 4v is tougher at insane hardness just not as aggressive at the edge.

Cruwear is less reactive then 4v and M4 will resist stain and rust better, However like D2 and 3v it's not a stainless steel.

3v doesn't have the strength of cruwear, and will roll when pushed to the limit vs cruwear will just hold it's shape, less rolling but less malleable.

Thanks for the insight!
Seems nice and since the steel ain't too expensive it could be a good combo with the Shaman. I guess most people are fine with either Cruwear, 3V or M4. I still would prefer K390/10V for the extra edge retention, but if Cruwear would be the first sprint i'd take it too.

[Deadboxhero]

Nah, cruwear has more edge stability then M4 meaning better performance with polished edges

It also has similar wear resistance to M4, it's tougher than M4, less likely to chip at the edge then M4 even at higher hardness.

4v is tougher but cruwear had more bite at the edge at the same finish and took a better crisper edge. But 4v is tougher at insane hardness just not as aggressive at the edge.

Cruwear is less reactive then 4v and M4 will resist stain and rust better, However like D2 and 3v it's not a stainless steel.

3v doesn't have the strength of cruwear, and will roll when pushed to the limit vs cruwear will just hold it's shape, less rolling but less malleable.

Thanks for the insight!
Seems nice and since the steel ain't too expensive it could be a good combo with the Shaman. I guess most people are fine with either Cruwear, 3V or M4. I still would prefer K390/10V for the extra edge retention, but if Cruwear would be the first sprint i'd take it too.

Yeah I voted Maxamet because it's the best bargain, especially when I don't have to make it
That stuff doesn't want to be made into a knife but my my is it wonderful to use.

[Deadboxhero]

From what i read people seem to prefer the ease of sharpening and the type of edge Cruwear gives. Cause it doesn't seem to be better in the standard toughness, corrosion resistance and edge retention points compared to similar well rounded steels like 3V or M4. I guess the difference is in the little things you can't always measure.
I don't care too much about about corrosion resistance and with the thick blade on the shaman i don't think toughness is a big issue. So i personally would aim for a steel with more edge retention.

I like this steel chart from Gary Creely to compare steels. It's not perfect science and complete, but gives a nice guideline.

Charts charts charts

Nah, cruwear has more edge stability then M4 meaning better performance with polished edges

It also has similar wear resistance to M4, it's tougher than M4, less likely to chip at the edge then M4 even at higher hardness.

4v is tougher but cruwear had more bite at the edge at the same finish and took a better crisper edge. But 4v is tougher at insane hardness just not as aggressive at the edge.

Cruwear is less reactive then 4v and M4 will resist stain and rust better, However like D2 and 3v it's not a stainless steel.

3v doesn't have the strength of cruwear, and will roll when pushed to the limit vs cruwear will just hold it's shape, less rolling but less malleable.

How does K390 compare to Cruwear and M4 on all these properties? I haven't had cruwear yet but K390 was awesome to sharpen and took a crazy good edge.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=78494&hilit=K390

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