What is your favorite high Carbon non stainless steel?

[BeggarSo]

I am currently enamored of K390 which I did not like in the police 4 back in 2018.

(I was in search of what is called Magnacut back then and thought stainless the be the way)

(also failed to realize a properly oiled blade does alot to mitigate tape gunk)

Cruewear is right up there with K390. Currently entertaining some super blue.

What do you guys and gals like and why?

[Actinolite]

I've been a fan of K390 for a while. But others I like a lot include CPM 10V and especially Cruwear. I'm about to try a new one in an EDC fixed blade: Uddeholm Vandadis 8. Should be interesting.

[dsvirsky]

K390, 15V, Rex 121 -- love me some high carbide volume steels. CPM 3V, as well. But also, at the other end of the edge retention spectrum, good old O1.

[BeggarSo]

K390, 15V, Rex 121 -- love me some high carbide volume steels. CPM 3V, as well. But also, at the other end of the edge retention spectrum, good old O1.

Sounds like you have alot of experience with these steels, how would you compare each to K390? That is the only one I have experience with, how does it compare?

[Bill1170]

K390 is great, good mix of toughness and edge retention.

[Scandi Grind]

Right now, 80crv2. Go ahead laugh!

I am more into fixed blades than folders so this isn't necessarily my favorite thing for folders. I don't know that I don't like 80crv2 in a folder I just have never gotten the opportunity to try a folder in a high carbon yet to see how maintenance turns out. In a fixed blade though I like the simple, old fashioned look and feel of a nicely patinaed carbon blade.

[BeggarSo]

Maintenance is easy I live in Florida on the beach, I use frog lube, stuff smells like peppermint, that shocked me at first.

A little goes a long way just spritz and wipe let it get in the pivot too.

Bonus good on guns just dont overdo it wipe clean good to go.

[zuludelta]

If we're talking about low or medium alloy high carbon steels, from a user perspective, my favourite is SKS51 (it's the Japanese equivalent of M2, from what I understand). It isn't especially mind-blowing in terms of its characteristics or metallurgy, but I have years of experience with it in the Silky Nata that I regularly use for trail maintenance and I've had no issues with a lack of toughness or insufficient edge retention for the tasks in which I employ it (mostly clearing brush and chopping small trees). That said, that probably has as much to do with the design of the tool as the steel itself.

For high alloy tool steels and high speed steels, my favourite is K390. K390 just blows me away with its specific combination of edge retention, toughness, and relative ease of sharpening. At least for warehouse work knife use, I've come to prefer it over Cru-Wear and M4, although all three perform similarly enough (at least in the Spydercos I've used) that most people probably wouldn't be able to tell them apart with normal usage. As with SKS51, the tool platform probably makes a huge difference as well. My most-used K390 folder is the Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight, and that model just fits my hand better than the knives I have in Cru-Wear (Para 3, PM2, Benchmade Mini Adamas) and M4 (Gayle Bradley 2, Tenacious, Benchmade Bailout). I'm also really, really liking 15V, but haven't used it as long as K390 (or Cru-Wear and M4) to come to a definitive ranking in my personal user steel hierarchy. It will probably end up alongside K390 or just behind it though, based on my limited use of it. A real shame that it is no longer produced with Crucible's bankruptcy and closure.

[Fastidiotus]

Completing the entire V-toku set this year is my biggest grail. It brought me shameful levels of feeling accomplished, satisfaction, and pride.

If I could only have one for each I'd go Rex45 for PE and CruWear for SE. If I could only have one for the rest of time Rex45 no ragrets.

[BeggarSo]

Ah that brings a question to mind how is K390 in an SE blade?

[dsvirsky]

K390, 15V, Rex 121 -- love me some high carbide volume steels. CPM 3V, as well. But also, at the other end of the edge retention spectrum, good old O1.

Sounds like you have alot of experience with these steels, how would you compare each to K390? That is the only one I have experience with, how does it compare?

I like high carbide volume steels because I like the very aggressive edge they take. Truthfully though, in everyday use I wouldn't be able to tell one from another.

K390 works well in an SE blade.

[Wowbagger]

I cannot pass up this question when I see it in the forums. Must be the Science / evangelist in me . . .
I ALWAYS prefer carbon steel over stainless for the type of edge I describe below .
Luckily I live in the High Plains Desert ((< 100 miles from Golden)) so have zero need for stainless . . . Anyway :

M4 hands down .

Don't get me wrong ; I love 15V , Maxamet, K390 . . . REX 45 is pretty close to M4 . . .
but . . . M4 was the first steel that sharpened the way I wanted it to (extra stupid sharp; practically cuts curls off the curls when I whittle hair) and keeps a good deal of the high level of sharpness for a satisfying period of time . Edge NEVER ROLLS even when I reprofile the cr*p out of it .
And as anybody will tell you it is easy to sharpen .

I like the patina it takes.
I like the knives it comes in : Gayle Bradleys and Sprint Para 2s , even my BM Contigo and BM Bailouts . . .

M4 is like an old friend that I know I am going to enjoy being with !

[dsvirsky]

K390, 15V, Rex 121 -- love me some high carbide volume steels. CPM 3V, as well. But also, at the other end of the edge retention spectrum, good old O1.

Sounds like you have alot of experience with these steels, how would you compare each to K390? That is the only one I have experience with, how does it compare?

I like high carbide volume steels because I like the very aggressive edge they take. Truthfully though, in everyday use, I wouldn't be able to tell one from another. As it's been pointed out by others more knowledgeable than myself, it's more useful to compare classes of steel rather than individual steels within the class.

K390 works well in an SE blade; better, from my experience, than VG-10 or LC200N. 15V probably would work well, too, but we'll never find out.

[blueblur]

Ah that brings a question to mind how is K390 in an SE blade?

SE K390 is fantastic in my experience. My favorite steel for SE. I’m impressed every time I use it.

[endura3]

Ah that brings a question to mind how is K390 in an SE blade?

It holds up great, and the grind of the SE K390 knives is very thin with small serrations so they cut extremely well over a large variety of tasks.

Reprofiling or taking out significant damage is tough though. You can touch them up with the ceramic sharpmaker rods, but diamond or CBN are a huge help.

[BeggarSo]

Hmmm looking for a K390 Stretch2XL.

[Bill1170]

Ah that brings a question to mind how is K390 in an SE blade?

It is a bear to reprofile but worth it for the performance I get from my SE Endura in K390.

[benben]

I love K390, M4, and finally got my first 3V folder, all fantastic, but if I could only have one steel in every knife for the rest of my life, I’d be perfectly fine with Cru-wear, does everything excellent for me!

[Danke]

I like em all. Just happen to have lots of M4

[BeggarSo]

Wow nice assortment what is that one on the far left called, I dont seem to recall that model.