Which is your favorite steel and why?

[pa 1]

I just finished reading an old post here on steels and their benefits. I was wondering what you all would say is your favorite and why. One poster recently said he "loved the stuff," referring to VG-10. I wish I could say that, but don't know enough about steel to say such a thing. Maybe this post will help! Thanks.

[Waco]

I don't know enough to make comparisons, but I like the VG-10 blade on mine. It holds an edge pretty well and it's not hard to sharpen.

[chuck_roxas45]

Favorite steel for what? All good just different.

[SQSAR]

Man, this is a loaded question. Had me thinking for at least a half-hour before coming to any semblance of a conclusion. As no doubt many will say in the posts to follow, , , I have several "favorite" steels that I could make a good case for why they rank high in my book. Steels such as: S90v, M-4, D-2, CTS-20CP, 154CM, 1095, ZDP-189, etc, etc.

However, if I can choose just one, I'd go with CPM154. Why? I just like it. It seems to do a lot of things well. It takes a wicked sweet edge, it polishes up beautifully, I holds an edge very nicely, it's rust resistant, and I've never had any real problems with it. It just seems to work well for me. I feel as though it takes a good steel (154CM) and makes it a great steel (CPM-154).

Of course by tomorrow I will be editing my post to reflect the virtues of either CTS-20CP or M-4. Or maybe go old-school with 1095 or D-2.

[I_like_sharp_things]

I do like VG10 a lot. By no means am I a sharpening pro but I can easily get it to a hair splitting edge and it keeps that edge for a good amount of time before it has to be sharpened again. I have had a ZDP Ladybug for a few weeks now and haven't had to sharpen it but the thought of it scares me.

[MCM]

S90v, as it stays sharp.

[razorsharp]

I dont have many knives, but of them, VG-10 is by far my favourite. it performs well in edge retention- stain and rust resistance , strength and toughness , :D

[DrChimRichalds]

I like S30V. Seems like a nice happy medium.

[dgulbra]

As far as stainless steels go, I like VG10 and 154cm. They both do a lot of things well. As for no stainless steel i like 1095, ZDP, and M4. There are so me good steels out there it is hard to choose, they all do something good.

[Cheygriz]

S90V/CTS20CP for stainless. CPM M-4 for a carbon. But that will probably change if Sal will ever make a Military in S110V, 10v, 15V or S390/K390 from Bohler-Uddholm. :p (hint)

[wingman_214]

Honestly aus8. Its a tough steel that I have never broken or chiped, Ive really put it through some crap and its always performed well. It takes a scary edge and holds a working edge reasonably well.

Other super steels seem almost too expensive to trash, if something. breaks I wouldn't forgive myself. But then again what's the benefit of super steel if you don't use it for all its worth.

[Ankerson]

I have more than one, but they all tend to be in the upper end of the wear resistance spectrum.

[Blerv]

ZDP-189

It's the only exotic you can get in budget platforms. I know there are some steels that run away from it but available and $30-90 depending on the knife is hard to beat.

Plus it comes in Delica, Endura, Stretch, Dragonfly, and Ladybug format! :)

[salguod]

ZDP-189

It's the only exotic you can get in budget platforms. I know there are some steels that run away from it but available and $30-90 depending on the knife is hard to beat.

Plus it comes in Delica, Endura, Stretch, Dragonfly, and Ladybug format! :)

Blerv,
Exactly, my friend! I'm just a poor boy and I can’t afford the latest unobtainium adamantine blade with a diamond encrusted mithril handle.

Second, I don't try to make one knife do everything. No single steel is going to be best for all uses. If I need a heavy duty crowbar, I go and get one. For medium duty stuff, I have my Vic Spirit multi-tool. That means that I look to my EDC to handle only elegant light duty slicing. For that, ZDP-189 is perfect for poor boys like me. The Dragonfly2 in ZDP-189 is perfect for me. Maybe not perfect for you. It depends on your needs.

[mongatu]

I've been very impressed by M390 (in the Mule) and it's quickly become one of my favorite stainless steels. I just like the edge it takes and I find it fairly easy to sharpen and it has excellent edge retention. Looking forward to seeing it next year in my favorite folder (the Para 2). I'm also enjoying 20CP which offers much better performance than S30V and it's another one that I don't find difficult to sharpen.

For carbon steel: Super Blue on the Caly 3.5 sprint is impressing me greatly. It almost seems to sharpen itself it's so easy. Also the bevels polish up very nicely and easily. And I'm enjoying the way it patinas. Haven't had any rust issues so far.

[razorsharp]

I've been very impressed by M390 (in the Mule) and it's quickly become one of my favorite stainless steels. I just like the edge it takes and I find it fairly easy to sharpen and it has excellent edge retention. Looking forward to seeing it next year in my favorite folder (the Para 2). I'm also enjoying 20CP which offers much better performance than S30V and it's another one that I don't find difficult to sharpen.

For carbon steel: Super Blue on the Caly 3.5 sprint is impressing me greatly. It almost seems to sharpen itself it's so easy. Also the bevels polish up very nicely and easily. And I'm enjoying the way it patinas. Haven't had any rust issues so far.

hehe, another waiting for the M390 Para :D

[The Deacon]

Of those I've used, Devin Thomas Raindrop Stainless Damascus.

Beautiful to look at and holds an edge about as well as VG-10. That's a combination that works for me. I don't backpack for months at a time, need to process six bull elk without resharpening, carve up steaks on flat rocks, or stab car doors. I view pocket knives as functional jewelry and believe that esthetics do not need to be sacrificed to achieve "reliable high performance".

[Slash]

Elmax. That's the steel being used for my next purchase, whenever it becomes available. The Lionspy.

forgot to add. it's also the steel used in one of my favorite knives that really fits well in my hand. zt0551.

for my uses I like having a good, tuff steel. elmax seems to do the good for me as far as stainless is concerned. along with vg-10, 154cm and 440c.

I'll take anything in m4 or a2 as well for none stainless.

I must admit there are many others that I haven't tried. that's just my experience with what I have.

[NoFair]

Currently CTS-20CP, if I didn't spend as much time around water it might be CPM M4.

[TBob]

ZDP-189. It holds a keen edge through a lot of use. CPM S30v would be second, also for edge retention plus it's stainless.

But...the steel is only one aspect of a good knife. The overall design and function is more important to me than the specific blade steel as long as it's good quality steel. If all else is about equal, then the steel becomes the tie breaker.