What are your top 5 favorite steels?
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
I definitely prefer Tool steels . . .
#1 Rex45
#2 4V
#3 K390
#4 S90V
#5 XHP
Rex45 and 4V are neck and neck in terms of how they perform for me, I really have no preference between the two -- K390 or 10V are always welcome when available, I really like my K2 & REC PM2.
In terms of stainless, S90V is always my #1 choice if I can get it in a sprint/exclusive, etc, and XHP, while not super stainless is a dream to sharpen and has decent edge retention for my tasks.
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
The ones I use.
Maxamet
S90V
S110V
Rex45
M4
But five is only the tip of the iceberg.
Maxamet
S90V
S110V
Rex45
M4
But five is only the tip of the iceberg.
Military/PM2/P3 Native Chief/Native GB2 DF2 PITS Chaparral Tasman Salt 2 SE Caribbean Sheepfoot SE SpydieChef Swayback Manix2 Sage 1 SSS Stretch 2 XL G10
- standy99
- Member
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:07 am
- Location: Between Broome and Cairns somewhere
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
Probably only two favourites.
M4
H1 for saltwater
Maxamet is interesting but yet to sharpen......
Anything new. Anything really.
I just buy other steels because I am a knife nerd.
M4
H1 for saltwater
Maxamet is interesting but yet to sharpen......
Anything new. Anything really.
I just buy other steels because I am a knife nerd.
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
S90V
M4
LC200N
1095
8Cr13MoV (loaners)
M4
LC200N
1095
8Cr13MoV (loaners)
- The Deacon
- Member
- Posts: 25717
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Upstate SC, USA
- Contact:
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
Certain patterns of Damasteel, VG-10, MBS-26, LC200N, CPM S30V
Paul
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
REX45
4V
K390
M4
Maxamet
I guess I don't really care for stainless much these days! Though if I HAD to pick a stainless steel, it would be 20CV. For some reason it seems to get dismissed quite a bit, not much excitement around it as there was when I first joined the forum. I've had/have multiple knives in this steel and it's always been a pleasure to use and sharpen.
4V
K390
M4
Maxamet
I guess I don't really care for stainless much these days! Though if I HAD to pick a stainless steel, it would be 20CV. For some reason it seems to get dismissed quite a bit, not much excitement around it as there was when I first joined the forum. I've had/have multiple knives in this steel and it's always been a pleasure to use and sharpen.
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
- JonLeBlanc
- Member
- Posts: 1756
- Joined: Sun May 13, 2018 8:00 am
- Location: Louisiana
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
52100
K390
M4
VG-10
S90V
K390
M4
VG-10
S90V
My collection so far: 52100 Military (2); 52100 PM2 (2); 52100 Para3; Stretch2 V-Toku; KnifeWorks M4 PM2; BentoBox M390 PM2; BentoBox S90V Military; Police4 K390; S110V PM2; SS Delica AUS-6; Wayne Goddard Sprint VG-10
Wish list: Hundred Pacer; Sliverax; Mantra; 52100 PM2 SE; Kapara
Wish list: Hundred Pacer; Sliverax; Mantra; 52100 PM2 SE; Kapara
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
I haven't used 4v but am very interested. I enjoy knives with good edge retention but aren't chippy. I find that Spyderco's S30v is very high in edge retention in comparison to other brands but its also a great deal more chippy. Do you guys think it could benefit from a more obtuse grind?
"Some call me...Tim?"
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
M4 is also very enticing. Having many carbon steel knives corrosion resistance is not that important to me.
"Some call me...Tim?"
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
This is an interesting question for me. Because in the last 3 years I've been paying particular attention to blade steels that also excel as a good steel for serrated edge models. I've found many steels that are great for plain edged models but on the other hand are lousy for serrated edges. Take the blade steel ZDP-189 for instance. It's still one of my favorites for plain edges. The edge you can obtain from honing a ZDP-189 blade by extensive use of a Spyderco Ultra-Fine benchstone and finishing it with a smooth steel is nothing short of phenomenal. But on the other hand ZDP-189 is not a good steel to use for serrated edges. There are several other blade steels that are excellent for plain edges but just don't perform well in full SE. Spyderco themselves quit making Spyderedged models in ZDP-189. So I'm going to put up a list for Plain edged blade steels and another list for blade steels that excel in serrated edges.
For plain edged models I really love the following:
(1) M390
(2) M-4
(3) ZDP-189
(4) S90V
(5) CTS-XHP
For Serrated/Spyderedged models I like these blade steels. And keep in mind that some of these are really old.
(1) 440V
(2) H-1
(3) ATS-55
(4) AUS-8
(5) VG-10
For plain edged models I really love the following:
(1) M390
(2) M-4
(3) ZDP-189
(4) S90V
(5) CTS-XHP
For Serrated/Spyderedged models I like these blade steels. And keep in mind that some of these are really old.
(1) 440V
(2) H-1
(3) ATS-55
(4) AUS-8
(5) VG-10
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
Alphabetical Order:
14C28N (best budget steel by far, super tough, easy heat treatment)
CruWear (high toughness, good edge retention, good edge stability)
K390 (High edge retention, high edge stability)
LC200N (virtually rust-proof, super tough)
MagnaCut (stainless that is tough, good edge retention, good edge stability)
14C28N (best budget steel by far, super tough, easy heat treatment)
CruWear (high toughness, good edge retention, good edge stability)
K390 (High edge retention, high edge stability)
LC200N (virtually rust-proof, super tough)
MagnaCut (stainless that is tough, good edge retention, good edge stability)
• Spyderco Native 5 Rex45
• Spyderco Caribbean SE
• Opinel no. 6, no. 8.
• Victorinox Folding Pairing Knife Serrated
• Spyderco Caribbean SE
• Opinel no. 6, no. 8.
• Victorinox Folding Pairing Knife Serrated
- Josh Crutchley
- Member
- Posts: 1395
- Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:44 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
1. CPM Cruwear
2. CPM S90V
3. CTS XHP
4. Maxamet
5. D2
I just acquired Bd1n, S35VN, and Aeb-l but haven't had a lot of time with them. I also like 14c28n for ease of sharpening.
2. CPM S90V
3. CTS XHP
4. Maxamet
5. D2
I just acquired Bd1n, S35VN, and Aeb-l but haven't had a lot of time with them. I also like 14c28n for ease of sharpening.
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
In no particular order:
1) CPM-3V
2) CPM-S30V
3) K390
4) CTS-XHP
5) H1
1) CPM-3V
2) CPM-S30V
3) K390
4) CTS-XHP
5) H1
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
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Last edited by ZrowsN1s on Sat Apr 24, 2021 9:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-Matt a.k.a. Lo_Que, loadedquestions135 I ❤ The P'KAL
"The world of edges has a small doorway in, but opens into a cavern that is both wide and deep." -sal
"The world of edges has a small doorway in, but opens into a cavern that is both wide and deep." -sal
"Ghost hunters scope the edge." -sal
- bbturbodad
- Member
- Posts: 1180
- Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2019 9:18 am
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
K390
4V
Rex45
Maxamet
Nitrobe77 for Stainless or LC200N if sticking with Spyderco options
Honorable mention to S90V
4V
Rex45
Maxamet
Nitrobe77 for Stainless or LC200N if sticking with Spyderco options
Honorable mention to S90V
-Turbo
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
K390
Vg10
5160
S35vn
S110v
Vg10
5160
S35vn
S110v
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
Where is everyone getting this 4v. Isn't it pretty uncommon, like less common than maxement?
"Some call me...Tim?"
Re: What are your top 5 favorite steels?
Up until now almost all of it comes from St. Nicks exclusives which sell out in minutes, with the exception of the Fradon Lock Manix2 exclusive & the Province which is a large fixed blade knife. If you go to eBay and search for spyderco 4v you'll find the various models (PM2, Para3, Manix2, Shaman, Lil Native) . . . but they are quite expensive on the secondary market so unless you are willing to pay a huge markup just keep an eye out here for new/upcoming St. Nicks exclusives, more are sure to come...