What is the most general use Spyderco blade steel in your opinion?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

First of all, I want to say, as EvilD and Michael Scott and Doc Dan have pointed out numerous times, there is at this point no "universal steel" or "universal knife" for all purposes, because some cutting applications require steel and blade shapes that would not be optimal for other uses.

One example is someone who needs a blade for butchering fish or poultry vs someone who needs a blade to break down cardboard boxes in a warehouse.

Now, that being said, when it comes to the most useful and utilitarian general-purpose steel for knives (folders and fixed blades alike) that are used by Spyderco, which do you all personally find to be best for your uses? Would it be something like VG10 or S30V or would it be one of the rust-proofs like H1 and Lc200N?

[MichaelScott]

My experience has been limited to steel like VG10, XHP, S30V, BD1N which have been perfectly fine for my uses. They have all stayed acceptably sharp for lengthy periods and have not been difficult to keep sharp with my Sharpmaker. I tend to stay away from more expensive steels because of the little value they offer to me in comparison to their cost.

[knivesandbooks]

I agree with Michael on those steels. They're very well rounded. I will add LC200n to the list as I've found that it uses and sharpens much like vg10.

For blade shapes from Spyderco, the leaf shape is king in my opinion. They do a wharncluffe exceptionally as well.

[wrdwrght]

VG10 or, for improved edge-retention, S30V, or, for intermediate edge-retention but vastly improved corrosion-resistance, LC200N.

[demoncase]

VG10 is right in that sweet spot for me.

Then again, VG10 is where I got on the Spyder Train!

[Ankerson]

Hard to beat S30V for an all around steel.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I have had good use with both VG10 and S30V. Ankerson, am I correct in that S30V does not take a very shiny satin polish, or, can it be polished to a very high satin finish? I know D2 is harder to get a good consistent satin finish on.

demoncase, based on your uses and preferences, what type of blade shape and knife in VG10 would you really like to see Spyderco produce in the future, if they were to make it?

[Ankerson]

I have had good use with both VG10 and S30V. Ankerson, am I correct in that S30V does not take a very shiny satin polish, or, can it be polished to a very high satin finish? I know D2 is harder to get a good consistent satin finish on.

demoncase, based on your uses and preferences, what type of blade shape and knife in VG10 would you really like to see Spyderco produce in the future, if they were to make it?

No, it can take a very shiny finish.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Thank you. The Spyderco Navaja was made in that steel and it is a very good one.

Ankerson, I wish you would write a book about knives and steel. I for one would be an avid reader of that.

[Pelagic]

XHP

[Ankerson]

Thank you. The Spyderco Navaja was made in that steel and it is a very good one.

Ankerson, I wish you would write a book about knives and steel. I for one would be an avid reader of that.

Maybe some day I will, dunno.

[MacLaren]

Certainly I would defer to Jim.
But, I just love 204p,m390,20cv.

[Mom3ntuM]

S30v/s35vn seems like a good allround steel to me. There is not much i can't do with vg10 either :).
A little off topic but i Would like to see more european steels in spyderco knives.
Sleipner, Elmax, m390 or maybe k294 (have not tried k294, but would like to)

[p_atrick]

I'm interested to return to this topic once the Para 3 LW has been out for some time. I think that BD1N would hit the sweet spot for me. I'd much rather have a knife that's easier to sharpen than one that can cut for ages.

[JonLeBlanc]

I'd say VG-10 or S30V are "actually" the most general purpose steels, but personally I'll use carbon steels or tool steels for anything at all, and carry them wherever, and I live in a very high humidity environment.

[cycleguy]

vg10 or s30v.

I'm also fine with these but not seen in current spyderco's: cpm 154, ats 34, n680, and of course 420hc

CG

[juggler]

I quite like CTS-XHP as an all-around steel: no real weakness and so much to like. VG10 is still fine though.

[Kels73]

CTS-XHP is a favorite. I really like S30V and S35VN also.

[ZrowsN1s]

H1

[Tucson Tom]

S30V was the first thing that popped into my head.

Followed closely by the 20CV CTS-204p M390 trio.