Intro to tool steel?

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
GarageBoy
Member
Posts: 2215
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2004 6:49 pm
Location: Brooklyn NY

Intro to tool steel?

#1

Post by GarageBoy »

If someone were to get their toes wet with a tool steel, which one would you recommend (on the easier to get side, so no crucarta shamen :D )?
Accutronman
Member
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 7:44 am

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#2

Post by Accutronman »

PM2 52100
User avatar
Pancake
Member
Posts: 1146
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 4:52 am

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#3

Post by Pancake »

I would say wait for REX 45 sprint run. Lots of models (Native, Lil Native, Para 3 LW, Chief, Shaman, Manixes), handle colour could be a bit polarising, but that could be modified.
In the pocket: Chaparral FRN, Native Chief, Police 4 K390, Pacific Salt SE, Manix 2 G10 REX45
SG89
Member
Posts: 10587
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2015 12:42 pm

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#4

Post by SG89 »

K390 PM2 or Para 3
Spydergirl88
3 Nats, 1 Chap, 1 Sham, 1 Urb
User avatar
Albatross
Member
Posts: 890
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2019 4:13 pm

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#5

Post by Albatross »

The upcoming Seki line of K390 will be the best way to get into non-stainless steels. Most of them will be less expensive than any other model/non-stainless steel combo and will be a part of the regular lineup, so no worries as far as acquiring one.
User avatar
VooDooChild
Member
Posts: 2617
Joined: Wed Feb 21, 2018 1:29 am

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#6

Post by VooDooChild »

I still want more cpm cruwear.
"Rome's greatest contribution to mathematics was the killing of Archimedes."
User avatar
Sharp Guy
Member
Posts: 8561
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2016 2:19 pm
Location: DFW, TX (orig. from N. IL)

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#7

Post by Sharp Guy »

I would start with Cruwear if possible. Lots of other great choice to as already indicated
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!
User avatar
abbazaba
Member
Posts: 4674
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 3:40 pm
Location: New England

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#8

Post by abbazaba »

M4 is how I got my feet wet, and the first steel I truly enjoyed. K390, REX45, and M4 are some of my favorites because they perform at a very high level. If sharpening intimidates you, 52100 or Cruwear is easier to get sharp, but won't hold an edge nearly as long IME.
JuPaul
Member
Posts: 4437
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2019 7:06 am

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#9

Post by JuPaul »

Hap40 can also still be found at reasonable prices if you like Seki models. Great intro non-stainless if you want something that sharpens easily but beautifully.
- Julia

"Be excellent to each other." - Bill S. Preston, Esq.
User avatar
Xplorer
Member
Posts: 1344
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2015 11:41 pm

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#10

Post by Xplorer »

There's soooo many good choices in tool steels. I suggest Cruwear would be an ideal first tool steel to try. It has the great tool steel edge characteristics one would want to experience and it is quite a bit more corrosion resistant than many of the other great options. Another good starting point IMO would be simple 52100 (bearing steel). 52100 requires more corrosion attention than Cruwear but it has very good edge characteristics and is easy for most people to sharpen to a very crisp edge.

**edit** I agree with the previous post that Hap40 would be a great starting choice as well. :)
Last edited by Xplorer on Thu Feb 20, 2020 10:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
:spyder: Spyderco fan and collector since 1991. :spyder:
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
User avatar
TkoK83Spy
Member
Posts: 12449
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2018 5:32 pm
Location: Syracuse, NY

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#11

Post by TkoK83Spy »

Fradon lock Delica in Hap40 for the price it's at right now is a great choice! Some of the other steels are harder to find at the moment, or on more expensive knives.
15 :bug-red '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
User avatar
JonLeBlanc
Member
Posts: 1756
Joined: Sun May 13, 2018 8:00 am
Location: Louisiana

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#12

Post by JonLeBlanc »

52100 is swell, M4 and K390 are cool too.
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
User avatar
Evil D
Member
Posts: 27147
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Northern KY

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#13

Post by Evil D »

What exactly is it about tool steel that you're interested in? I ask because there are just about as many different steels with different performance as there are in stainless steels, many of which have similar stainless steel equivalents apartment from just being non stainless (52100 vs AEB-L for example).

The cheapest way might be to get an Izula or BK14 and play with those and see how you like them, unless you want to play around with patinas since those are coated blades.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
User avatar
jdw
Member
Posts: 1583
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2016 6:10 pm
Location: Red Dirt

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#14

Post by jdw »

I would suggest 52100 anything. It's one of my primary steels that I use and it's really easy to sharpen. I know because I have very poor sharpening skills and I can get it screaming sharp. If you are looking for edge retention then I would suggest M4 but only because that's a personal bias towards the GB1. There is quite a bit of K390 out there and REX45 is on the horizon though. Good luck with your quest.
Do right always. It will give you satisfaction in life.
--Wovoka
GarageBoy
Member
Posts: 2215
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2004 6:49 pm
Location: Brooklyn NY

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#15

Post by GarageBoy »

Thanks - I mainly want to experience the "aggressive" edge some members have noted - my sharpening skills aren't the greatest, but I'm excited to try them
The Meat man
Member
Posts: 5856
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:01 pm
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#16

Post by The Meat man »

CPM M4 would be a great choice to start with.
- Connor

"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
User avatar
TkoK83Spy
Member
Posts: 12449
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2018 5:32 pm
Location: Syracuse, NY

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#17

Post by TkoK83Spy »

GarageBoy wrote:
Wed Feb 19, 2020 4:58 pm
Thanks - I mainly want to experience the "aggressive" edge some members have noted - my sharpening skills aren't the greatest, but I'm excited to try them
Super Blue is what you're looking for...hit me up!
15 :bug-red '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
Doeswhateveraspidercan
Member
Posts: 2618
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2018 6:31 pm

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#18

Post by Doeswhateveraspidercan »

Go cruwear and don't look back. Might still be able to get a cruwear delica.
koenigsegg
Member
Posts: 1559
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 5:36 pm

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#19

Post by koenigsegg »

Can get the superblue caly jr for $100 on the forums lately. The Hap40 Delica would be a good choice. Manix 2 Rex 45 just came out at SFO earlier today so should be in dealers this week or next. The upcoming K390 delica and endura would be a good start as well if you waited. You might be able to pickup a Mantra 2 second hand it has M4 steel.
S30V, VG10, M4, XHP, BD1, Cruwear, Elmax, Maxamet, 204P, H1, K390, A11, Rex45, LC200N, M390, 20CV, BD1N, S45VN waiting to afford MagnaCut
User avatar
Bloke
Member
Posts: 5424
Joined: Fri May 13, 2016 12:43 am
Location: Sydney, Australia.

Re: Intro to tool steel?

#20

Post by Bloke »

Have no Spyderco Cruwear so another vote for HAP40.
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
Post Reply