Best Blade Steel

[elena86]

Cruwear has the best balance of properties and decent corrosion resistence. I would chose XHP or SPY27 when it comes to stainless steels for plain edges and H1 for serrations.

[rabbitanarchy14]

my 2 favorites have been k390 and its stainless m390.

[Joshua J.]

I'm sure this has been covered before but it would be nice for the new people to hear. What is the best
all around blade steel? No better place to ask this one.
Thanks
Adam - Kansas City

Last year this was a much more complicated question, today the answer for most applications is MagnaCut.
You can get basic carbon steel that's a bit tougher, or higher alloy steel with a bit more endurance, or specialty steel with a bit more corrosion resistance, but MagnaCut is an invention that combines all three attributes of steel significantly better than any other steel type ever before.

MagnaCut is relatively new on the market and the steel industry is not quick to change, you're going to see MagnaCut slowly gain adoption in the coming years.

[lilshaver]

We are quite happy for that too Sal.

[z1r]

As mentioned, everyone has their own thoughts, opinions and experiences. All steels look the same, so the "eye" carries less weight.

From my point of view, I'm pleased that you could get examples of the material to "experience", can discuss your personal flavors, and a place to share thought.

sal

Agree. I find it enlightening when I see someone post an experience with a steel that is 180 degrees out from my own. Makes me reexamine how I do things. Most often this is in regards to sharpening.

[MIDWESTKNIFETRADER]

Well I'm definitely glad I asked. I will certainly consider your valued opinions when choosing a new blade.
Thank you very much

[MIDWESTKNIFETRADER]

I'm probably going to need to aquire at least one example of each of these choice alloys.
The abbreviation for the type of steel on Spyderco knives is such a draw because there is much variety.

[Sharp Guy]

"No best, All Good, just Different"

That's really all that needs to be said

I have a whole bunch of different steels and Sal's statement is spot on

[Sharp Guy]

I'm probably going to need to aquire at least one example of each of these choice alloys.
The abbreviation for the type of steel on Spyderco knives is such a draw because there is much variety.

I don't have all the different steels that Spyderco's used but I have most of them. The variety is amazing

[prndltech]

I think the best blade steel is whatever blade you have either in your pocket or in your hand. Don’t matter how good it is if it ain’t on you.

[Rymanz]

Here's a table/chart that I made for myself to target, what I would consider, the "best" blade steels. The data came from Dr. Larrin Thomas' fantastic website. I did take the liberty with K390's toughness rating, based on Larrin's article(s) on it, since there isn't an official test on that one yet.

The concept revolves around adding up all the cumulative properties (edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance) to see which steels have the most "area under the curve", so to speak. This doesn't take into consideration things like hardness differences, which can make one steel have preferential properties vs another one. I also excluded any steel with an edge retention rating below 5 or toughness rating below 4, since that's my personal bare minimum for a "good" knife steel.

The "Goldilocks" steels were chosen based on my own preferences, and steels like S35VN are more-or-less exchangeable with others at the same level like S30V and Elmax. I prefer S35VN over those two since it's a little tougher than S30V and cheaper/more available than Elmax.



Just a different way of looking at things; by no means are these actually the "best". In general, I agree that there isn't such thing is a best steel. They're all different and it just depends on what you need from your knife.

[jegred2]

My only preference is stainless steel only, and nothing brittle or hard to sharpen. So I generally choose based on design rather than steel.

[vilePossum]

my 2 favorites have been k390 and its stainless m390.

This covers it for me as well.

[Steeltoez83]

I enjoy all steel for different reasons. So my answer would be "gifted steel" bcuz someone worked the hours, or bartered for my behalf. Generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, to me that makes the best steel. I make a point to experiment with all the knives i own anyways. So the mindset is to find the best outlet to enjoy every steel regardless.