Which is your favorite steel and why?

jackknifeh · #21

Writing this without reading any other posts first so I won't be influenced by other's opinions.

CPM S30V is my favorite at the moment. I just got a Native about 2 weeks ago. My first S30V knife. It sharpens easy enough and takes a nice polished bevel if you want that. It also is holding an edge VERY well. I understand it's corrosion resistance is very good but I keep everything lubricated so well that I don't give different steels the opportunity to rust. So far, that's how I feel.

VG-10 is still the "super-steel" that sets the standard it seems though.

ZDP-189 is a little better at edge retention but more prone to micro chipping when sharpened to low angles in my experience.

M4 seems to be a great steel but I don't have a definate opinion of it yet. I'm getting another M4 knife soon. Then I'll have two and will be carrying it more often. One is a Manix2 and the new one will be the Gayle Bradley. I'll probably carry the GB more often. I don't care for carrying the Manix in my pocket. I use a sheath. The GB will be in my pocket therefore with me more often.

Jack
PS Edit: I'm no expert. This is how I feel right now.

hickster · #22

S90V. It works, and works, and works.....

hickster

usmc1371 · #23

I carry 154cm (bm) all the time and it works good for my edc needs. Where I get picky about steel is in my hunting knives. I have been using the S90v mule for the last couple years and I have been blown away at how it takes apart deer and elk. It never seems to get dull. My little bro who is a hunting guide 3 months out of the year says he will never pack any thing that isn't KOA D2 but even he was impressed with the S90v.
This year I can't wait to try the 390 mule on this falls mule deer and elk hunts. I will be loaning/giving my super blue mule to a fellow marine friend of mine to use on his deer hunt this year so I hope to hear good things about it.

A.P.F. · #24

My favorite steel? Tough call. I can say that the ones that have pleased me the most are CPM-M4, ZDP-189 and S30V. None of said steels have disappointed me and they all take a fine edge.

dsmegst · #25

CPM-S90v has to be the top for me. CTS-20CP appears to be an equally great steel.

gull wing · #26

CPM154
It gets very sharp, I like that for everyday use(much like VG10) and holds that edge darn well.
No it won't hold an edge as long as S30V and others, but most of the time, I can get to a sharpener easily. If I'm in an out of the way place, it's S30V.

phils · #27

Mine is ZDP 189 because it holds an edge almost forever. But it does show light rust marks if you don't keep after it.

TBob · #28

phils wrote:Mine is ZDP 189 because it holds an edge almost forever. But it does show light rust marks if you don't keep after it.

I hit mine with a silicon cloth about every week or two. That seems to work well. Same for the CPM-M4 on the Gayle Bradley.

dbcad · #29

They all hold an edge and keep it in varying degrees depending on what they're used for. I would say pick the flavor for the application or revel in the sharp which I kind of like :) "All good, just different"

unit · #30

dbcad wrote:They all hold an edge and keep it in varying degrees depending on what they're used for. I would say pick the flavor for the application or revel in the sharp which I kind of like :) "All good, just different"

I am not sure I could say it better.

There are very few steels I can not appreciate on some level.

chuck_roxas45 · #31

dbcad wrote:They all hold an edge and keep it in varying degrees depending on what they're used for. I would say pick the flavor for the application or revel in the sharp which I kind of like :) "All good, just different"

Yup, what I said. :D