Favorite "HARD USE" Blade Steel

[p_atrick]

I don't push my knives hard enough to have an informed opinion. But, I was surprised by two things. One, I thought CPM CRU-WEAR would be all over this thread. Two,VG-10 is getting more mentions than I anticipated.

[James Y]

I really like VG-10, and have had a considerable amount of experience with it. It holds an edge reasonably well, has better than average corrosion resistance, has reasonable toughness, and is easy to resharpen. It's a very forgiving all-around steel.

H1 is excellent in SE, but for me it depends on the particular model. I don't like it when the serrations are ground too narrow and too pointy, as it tends to hang up on or tear things, and also tends to roll quite easily. When the serrations are ground like on the Spyderhawk and the Tasman, they're quite durable.

S35VN and S30V have been good to me.

I love Victorinox's steel. I have it in my SAKs, pliers-based multi-tool, and my kitchen knives.

I also really like LC200N, but admittedly, I haven't used the one knife I have it in enough to make a determination on it for 'harder' use.

I don't really need a 'super' steel that holds an edge an especially long time but is finicky and a pain to resharpen.

Jim

[steelcity16]

H1, CPM-CRUWEAR, CPM-3V, CPM-4V.

[vivi]

Don't have real "hard use" experience with too many steels, but another vote for VG10. My sabre grind Endura in that steel is probably more "hard use" than I'll ever need...

/ ESEEs 1095 has been mentioned. Sure it is "hard use" (I have a Laser Strike) but really dulls too fast imho.

Have you completely ground off the factory edge on that ESEE?

[Wartstein]

Don't have real "hard use" experience with too many steels, but another vote for VG10. My sabre grind Endura in that steel is probably more "hard use" than I'll ever need...

/ ESEEs 1095 has been mentioned. Sure it is "hard use" (I have a Laser Strike) but really dulls too fast imho.

Have you completely ground off the factory edge on that ESEE?

Meanwhile I am sure I have. And yes, the edge retention has gotten a bit better, but is still quite low.

Maybe I am just expecting a bit much of 1095 though. For it is really tough, I use my Laser Strike as a no-spin-throwing knife and it holds up great.

Still, 55-57 HRC is a bit low, isn't it?!

[The Mastiff]

I like 5160 in my large fixed blades, 3V or 4V in all around "camp knife" style knives and in folders pretty much the same ( CPM Cruwear thrown in to above two)

Joe

[murphjd25]

PSF27(D2)

[bdblue]

The ones that I use for working around the house are Manix 2 in 154CM and Manix 2 in M4. I have a Manix 2 in Cruwear that I bought to use for work but haven't brought myself to beat on it yet.

[Albatross]

I like Rex 45, V-toku2, VG10, and Hap40. I'm surprise 52100 hasn't been mentioned and the same V-toku2, give how similar it is to 52100.

[TomAiello]

K390 and v4e for me. :)

[jpm2]

I like Rex 45, V-toku2, VG10, and Hap40. I'm surprise 52100 hasn't been mentioned and the same V-toku2, give how similar it is to 52100.

All of those except vg10 are sprint metals, which no one but you and I beat on.

[Albatross]

I like Rex 45, V-toku2, VG10, and Hap40. I'm surprise 52100 hasn't been mentioned and the same V-toku2, give how similar it is to 52100.

All of those except vg10 are sprint metals, which no one but you and I beat on.

I suppose you're right. All but 2 of my knives are sprints or exclusives and every last one get used frequently. The idea of buying tools and not using them is foreign to me. To each his own.

[Wartstein]

I like Rex 45, V-toku2, VG10, and Hap40. I'm surprise 52100 hasn't been mentioned and the same V-toku2, give how similar it is to 52100.

All of those except vg10 are sprint metals, which no one but you and I beat on.

My HAP 40 Stretch and Endura see the same, sometimes "hard" use (for a folder) as their VG10 siblings...

[Cambertree]

I also like VG-10 and H1 for ‘hard use’ tasks.

Also CPM M4, 52100 and Cruwear. (Talking about Spydies here.)

Non Spydies: 1095 and 3V.

[JonLeBlanc]

I like Rex 45, V-toku2, VG10, and Hap40. I'm surprise 52100 hasn't been mentioned and the same V-toku2, give how similar it is to 52100.

I thought about mentioning 52100, but I harp on that steel enough so I kinda figured everybody rolls their eyes when I pop up now :rolleyes: It's just soooo awesome :cool: see I can't even help it if I wanted to.

[Skidoosh]

Did anyone mention PD#1 yet? I also like M4. I'd be interested in 80CRV2 to compare to 52100

[hmr170]

To me, "hard use" is use where I expect that I might damage the edge of the blade, so I prefer steels that are easier to sharpen in those instances. VG-10, 8Cr, 1095, etc.

[Colorodo]

Maxamet and S30V.

[Albatross]

I like Rex 45, V-toku2, VG10, and Hap40. I'm surprise 52100 hasn't been mentioned and the same V-toku2, give how similar it is to 52100.

I thought about mentioning 52100, but I harp on that steel enough so I kinda figured everybody rolls their eyes when I pop up now :rolleyes: It's just soooo awesome :cool: see I can't even help it if I wanted to.

I see Cruwear popping up in nearly every thread it seems. 52100 doesn't get much attention on this forum anymore, so you're probably going to fly under the radar. Lots of us here have our favorites and can't stop talking about them, so you're in good company.

[Catamount123]

Maxamet and S30V.

I'm not sure if this is serious, or tongue in cheek :confused: