Sharpest Steel
Sharpest Steel
Out of curiosity which steel has the potential to be the sharpest? This may be hard to determine, but I thought I would ask for opinions/results.
To be fair let's take one model say a Para 2 with a 30 inclusive bevel with an acceptable heat treat for that steel. Trying to eliminate the variables do you think there are one or two that would come out on top?
To be fair let's take one model say a Para 2 with a 30 inclusive bevel with an acceptable heat treat for that steel. Trying to eliminate the variables do you think there are one or two that would come out on top?
Re: Sharpest Steel
SuperBlue and 52100
15 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
- bearfacedkiller
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Re: Sharpest Steel
Some steels are easier to sharpen and they will appear to get sharper. Some steels are capable of supporting lower edge angles and would appear to get sharper. Some steels have high carbide volume and may cut with some aggression and appear to get sharper.
The truth is that sharpness is the measurement of the width of the apex in microns. Under one micron and you are stupid sharp. All steels can achieve that.
The differences are so subtle that I am inclined to say that all steels basically have the potential to achieve the same level of sharpness.
I can get the stickiest edge on my Super Blue Delica. It has a low edge angle, some carbides and it is super easy to sharpen.
The truth is that sharpness is the measurement of the width of the apex in microns. Under one micron and you are stupid sharp. All steels can achieve that.
The differences are so subtle that I am inclined to say that all steels basically have the potential to achieve the same level of sharpness.
I can get the stickiest edge on my Super Blue Delica. It has a low edge angle, some carbides and it is super easy to sharpen.
-Darby
sal wrote:Knife afi's are pretty far out, steel junky's more so, but "edge junky's" are just nuts. :p
SpyderEdgeForever wrote: Also, do you think a kangaroo would eat a bowl of spagetti with sauce if someone offered it to them?
Re: Sharpest Steel
This is a most interesting question. Because for years I've always attributed the apex sharpness more to the type of abrasive and sharpening method more than I did the actual alloy of the steel.
But on the other hand I did know in my gut that some of the really high end steels do seem to attain an edge with better bite and better penetration. That's one of the reasons I fell in love with M390>> because I've had such great luck with edge retention and endurance during hard use.
But I'm all ears and hope to learn from this thread. Oddly enough that's another reason I've always liked VG-10 and ATS-55 is because I've attained some pretty good working edges with those two steels.
But on the other hand I did know in my gut that some of the really high end steels do seem to attain an edge with better bite and better penetration. That's one of the reasons I fell in love with M390>> because I've had such great luck with edge retention and endurance during hard use.
But I'm all ears and hope to learn from this thread. Oddly enough that's another reason I've always liked VG-10 and ATS-55 is because I've attained some pretty good working edges with those two steels.
Re: Sharpest Steel
HAP40 and LC200n are the two in my hand I can get scary sharp / sticky / cutting flying hair easily.
Re: Sharpest Steel
Absolutely. All steels can achieve the same level of sharpness, it's just a matter of abrasives, skill, and time. I've had S110V whittling hair, which is supposedly impossible, according to some older threads on BF.bearfacedkiller wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2019 2:16 pmSome steels are easier to sharpen and they will appear to get sharper. Some steels are capable of supporting lower edge angles and would appear to get sharper. Some steels have high carbide volume and may cut with some aggression and appear to get sharper.
The truth is that sharpness is the measurement of the width of the apex in microns. Under one micron and you are stupid sharp. All steels can achieve that.
The differences are so subtle that I am inclined to say that all steels basically have the potential to achieve the same level of sharpness.
I can get the stickiest edge on my Super Blue Delica. It has a low edge angle, some carbides and it is super easy to sharpen.
The steels that seem to get sharper, are Hap40, M4, Rex45, Cruwear, Superblue, V-toku2, and 52100. I don't have experience with Cruwear, Superblue, or 52100, but the general consensus is that they are in the same category as the others I listed. V-toku2 is supposed to be similar to 52100, so I consider that close enough for my own personal interests.
Last edited by Albatross on Wed Dec 18, 2019 4:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Sharpest Steel
Hobnob wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2019 1:55 pmOut of curiosity which steel has the potential to be the sharpest? This may be hard to determine, but I thought I would ask for opinions/results.
To be fair let's take one model say a Para 2 with a 30 inclusive bevel with an acceptable heat treat for that steel. Trying to eliminate the variables do you think there are one or two that would come out on top?
NONE, they are all the same as sharpness has to do with the width of the apex and that is the same on all steels all the way down to the atomic level.
Re: Sharpest Steel
This has been my experience as well.Ankerson wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2019 4:48 pmHobnob wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2019 1:55 pmOut of curiosity which steel has the potential to be the sharpest? This may be hard to determine, but I thought I would ask for opinions/results.
To be fair let's take one model say a Para 2 with a 30 inclusive bevel with an acceptable heat treat for that steel. Trying to eliminate the variables do you think there are one or two that would come out on top?
NONE, they are all the same as sharpness has to do with the width of the apex and that is the same on all steels all the way down to the atomic level.
I have steels that I find easier to get to the upper ends of sharpness, but I haven't come across a quality knife that couldn't take a great edge. Everything from S7 to ZDP189 has sharpened up nicely for me.
AEB-L, O1, 1095, VG10, Victorinox steel and BD1 are the steels I find easiest to get hair whittling sharp, for what its worth. But steels with higher carbide content like S110V, 204P and S90V can still get there.
- Tucson Tom
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Re: Sharpest Steel
These answers are all very good.
It is more about you (or me) than the steel. For me, I have the easiest time with 52100 and Cruwear -- but that is me, my skills, and my equipment. As my skills improve and I gain experience, I am surprising myself with other steels. Sharpening seems to be one of these things that is both challenging and satisfying. If it was trivial, there wouldn't be so much satisfaction as there is with challenging yourself.
It is more about you (or me) than the steel. For me, I have the easiest time with 52100 and Cruwear -- but that is me, my skills, and my equipment. As my skills improve and I gain experience, I am surprising myself with other steels. Sharpening seems to be one of these things that is both challenging and satisfying. If it was trivial, there wouldn't be so much satisfaction as there is with challenging yourself.
- Cambertree
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Re: Sharpest Steel
In terms of ‘perceived’ sharpness, AEB-L, Superblue, Cruwear, MBS-26 and 52100 all stand out in my experience.
Although as stated above, they’re all capable of achieving similar ‘sharpness’ with the right technique and abrasives.
Although as stated above, they’re all capable of achieving similar ‘sharpness’ with the right technique and abrasives.
Last edited by Cambertree on Wed Dec 18, 2019 10:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Sharpest Steel
aus8 gets that level. I can get there with everything but man... I still feel that good aus 8 takes that scary level of sharpness.
- Shannon
MNOSD 0006
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Re: Sharpest Steel
For being a low-end steel, it still has quite balanced properties. Aus 8 wont steel the show, but it makes for a fairly worry-free blade.
I used Aus 8 exclusively for several years, and It's like an old friend I don't see often enough.
Re: Sharpest Steel
Agreed. I’m sure it wouldn’t make much sense... but I’d love for spyderco to make a nice comfy folder in aus8.
- Shannon
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- araneae
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Re: Sharpest Steel
Buy an old knife, Spyderco made lots of Aus 8 blades in the past. Aus 8 was nothing special IMO, pretty much the equivalent of 8Cr13 which makes a perfectly fine using steel, but it's surpassed by vg-10, s30v, etc.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
- rabbitanarchy14
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Re: Sharpest Steel
I can attest to vtoku2, I am able to get it extremely sharp. Aeb-l is another easy to get crazy sharp. I can get both very thin bte and they stay sharp.
192.168.0.1 -Para 3 G10 M390 Red, Dice XHP, Lil Native Rex 45 comp, Manix 2 M390 G10 BR, PM2 M390 DLC BL, PM2 k390 RGreen, Cat BD1N, Dragonfly 2 k390
Saving for - Lil Native K390, D'allara 3, UTX-70
Instruments- Kimber EVO, SA Hellcat, SW Shield Plus 9
Saving for - Lil Native K390, D'allara 3, UTX-70
Instruments- Kimber EVO, SA Hellcat, SW Shield Plus 9