Most Underestimated Steel.

[Paraguy]

In the days of of Maxament, Rex 45, 20cv, k390, Zwear and upcoming Magnacut etc, it is easy to underestimate steels that aren't new with a Rockwell above 65. What steels do you think are most underestimated? To me, it seems that VG10 and s30v get a bad rap among Spyderco loving knife nerds, despite being excellent steels. This is most likely because they are very accessible, being used in Spyderco’s non-sprint models. I would also say that D2 is quite underestimated. What do you more experienced fellas think?

[vivi]

H1.

[eventhorizon]

It's all about the heat treatment... but yes, looking at my Manly D2, D2 is underestimated when done properly.

Once this flexible ceramic thing is due to production, steel days are over, though :rolleyes: : https://youtu.be/VwlGme6AUtI

[steelcity16]

3V in folders. It gets a bad rap, but put some 3V with the Delta Heat treat in some folders like the Shaman, Manix XL, Military, GB1/GB2, and even the Endura and Endela, and I promise people wouldn't shut up about them.

AEB-L as well for folders. Highly regarded in fixed blades and kitchen knives, it would be great in folders paired with Micarta scales.

Agree with Vivi on H1 as well..

[JRinFL]

420HC, AEB-L.

[Wartstein]

BD1N comes to mind.
For me it performs a lot better in edge retention than it "should" according to objective tests, even Larrins.
And it is a dream to sharpen, even better than VG10 in that regard for me. Both how quickly it goes and how sharp the steel gets.

[z1r]

I would say I'm experienced, but I do love my ZDP-189 Dragonfly, it's my most "exotic" steel. I just acquired a Rex45 Manix and have another M2 in CPM 20CV on the way. Looking forward to seeing how they perform.

Still jonesing for something in Maxamet but have found that S30V and D2 are quite serviceable. I also really like 12C27 cuz it gets real sharp and sharpens easily. 14C28N as well.

One thing I have found to be true is that it isn't so much the steel used but how it is heat treated. A particular steel can be fantastic as used by one maker but only so-so as used by another.

[Paraguy]

I would say I'm experienced, but I do love my ZDP-189 Dragonfly, it's my most "exotic" steel. I just acquired a Rex45 Manix and have another M2 in CPM 20CV on the way. Looking forward to seeing how they perform.

Still jonesing for something in Maxamet but have found that S30V and D2 are quite serviceable. I also really like 12C27 cuz it gets real sharp and sharpens easily. 14C28N as well.

One thing I have found to be true is that it isn't so much the steel used but how it is heat treated. A particular steel can be fantastic as used by one maker but only so-so as used by another.

Yeah Buck's Paul Bos heat treated 420 for example. Is 12c27 on your Moras?

[knifemovieguy]

Adamantium after popularization of vibranium and beskar. But for real BG42, ATS34 and 55.

[Naperville]

I think the following get a bad rap because they were common at one time or another: S30V, XHP, 20CV.

Everyone groans when knives come out in those steels, but I like them quite a bit.

[S-3 ranch]

BD1N comes to mind.
For me it performs a lot better in edge retention than it "should" according to objective tests, even Larrins.
And it is a dream to sharpen, even better than VG10 in that regard for me. Both how quickly it goes and how sharp the steel gets.

I am in this same thoughts about BD1
The OP is a loaded question IMO lots of good steel and their relatives are over looked
If every manufacturer feels that S30v is the chosen product fine , spyderco collaboration spy27
Would be awesome if they offered it more widely @ spyderco instead of S30v

[Paraguy]

BD1N comes to mind.
For me it performs a lot better in edge retention than it "should" according to objective tests, even Larrins.
And it is a dream to sharpen, even better than VG10 in that regard for me. Both how quickly it goes and how sharp the steel gets.

I was surprised when I found out that VG10 and 154cm were almost indistinguishable. Would you say BD1N out performs vg10 in edge retention?

[z1r]

I actually have Carbon Moras except one SS I picked up for fishing. I have several small Ruike/Boker knifes with 12C27 mostly because have a bottle opener but also because the little blades are sharp and easy to keep that way.. :D

I also have one CJRB Ria with 12C27 that I love. That knife seems to not alarm folks typically alarmed by the producing of a knife.

I also love the XHP in my Chap.

[wrdwrght]

The overshadowed (merely that!) VG10 (and perhaps the steels that VG10 has overshadowed).

[Paraguy]

BD1N comes to mind.
For me it performs a lot better in edge retention than it "should" according to objective tests, even Larrins.
And it is a dream to sharpen, even better than VG10 in that regard for me. Both how quickly it goes and how sharp the steel gets.

I am in this same thoughts about BD1
The OP is a loaded question IMO lots of good steel and their relatives are over looked
If every manufacturer feels that S30v is the chosen product fine , spyderco collaboration spy27
Would be awesome if they offered it more widely @ spyderco instead of S30v

I think it would make sense if they didn't make all their base models in one or two steels. Different steels are more suitable for different blades with different blade geometries.

[Paraguy]

BD1N comes to mind.
For me it performs a lot better in edge retention than it "should" according to objective tests, even Larrins.
And it is a dream to sharpen, even better than VG10 in that regard for me. Both how quickly it goes and how sharp the steel gets.

I am in this same thoughts about BD1
The OP is a loaded question IMO lots of good steel and their relatives are over looked
If every manufacturer feels that S30v is the chosen product fine , spyderco collaboration spy27
Would be awesome if they offered it more widely @ spyderco instead of S30v

I think it would make sense if they didn't make all their base models in one or two steels. Different steels are more suitable for different blades with different blade geometries.

Ive heard that spy27 is basically s35vn, which is a slight upgrade of s30v. What would make you favor spy27 over s35vn?

[S-3 ranch]

BD1N comes to mind.
For me it performs a lot better in edge retention than it "should" according to objective tests, even Larrins.
And it is a dream to sharpen, even better than VG10 in that regard for me. Both how quickly it goes and how sharp the steel gets.

I am in this same thoughts about BD1
The OP is a loaded question IMO lots of good steel and their relatives are over looked
If every manufacturer feels that S30v is the chosen product fine , spyderco collaboration spy27
Would be awesome if they offered it more widely @ spyderco instead of S30v

I think it would make sense if they didn't make all their base models in one or two steels. Different steels are more suitable for different blades with different blade geometries.

Ive heard that spy27 is basically s35vn, which is a slight upgrade of s30v. What would make you favor spy27 over s35vn?

Of course!
Buy a spyderco and get spy27 , if it’s model suitable, why not?

[Paraguy]

I am in this same thoughts about BD1
The OP is a loaded question IMO lots of good steel and their relatives are over looked
If every manufacturer feels that S30v is the chosen product fine , spyderco collaboration spy27
Would be awesome if they offered it more widely @ spyderco instead of S30v

I think it would make sense if they didn't make all their base models in one or two steels. Different steels are more suitable for different blades with different blade geometries.

Ive heard that spy27 is basically s35vn, which is a slight upgrade of s30v. What would make you favor spy27 over s35vn?

Of course!
Buy a spyderco and get spy27 , if it’s model suitable, why not?

:confused: What are you getting at?

[Paraguy]

H1.

Why would you say that is? Because it's only good with serrations?

[TomAiello]

H1.

Ditto.

H1 is vastly underrated.