Would you rather?

[kissmyba$$69]

Would you rather have a knife with a thin BTE (.015") or a thicker BTE (.025") but with a better steel for what you are going to use it for.

The knives I'm talking about are the GB2 and Maxamet PM2

Thanks

[Rymanz]

I like slicey blades, so thin behind the edge for me.

You can also compensate for lack of wear resistance and improve cutting performance with that slicey geometry.

[Wandering_About]

I'd choose whichever knife design you prefer between those two. Not sure how confident you are in your sharpening, but Maxamet can be reprofiled. If you're not confident about sharpening that stuff, the M4 in the Gayle Bradley is quite good stuff, and the GB is also an excellent design in its own right.

The GB is overall a little more slicey because of the hollow grind and thin stock, but the PM2 is by no means a poor cutter, especially if reprofiled.

[JSumm]

Can't speak to Maxamet, but I love the GB2 blade. Wish it was used on more models. It's thin behind the edge yet still stout enough where you don't feel like it should be treated cautiously. M4 is great. May not be the best at anything, but I like it.

The PM2 blade is great too, but I prefer the GB2.

[TkoK83Spy]

Geometry always wins.

[phaust]

Steel. You can thin out a blade easier than make a new one in a better steel.

[chkn]

If the focus is specific performance then I'm leaning towards steel. You can reshape the blade but you can't magically change the steel.

[ZrowsN1s]

If the geometry is too thick, some of the benefits of good steel aren't realized.

[chkn]

If the geometry is too thick, some of the benefits of good steel aren't realized.

Then why even compare two knives if that's the deal breaker? Sounds like the difference is acceptable when compared to the perceived benefit of the "better" steel

[TkoK83Spy]

Where's Shawn when we need him!

[vivi]

thin bte. id reach for a kiwi knife before a lot of thick western chef knives.

[kissmyba$$69]

Where's Shawn when we need him!

He has some amazing videos on geometry and sharpening. His channel is what got me into knives

[Wandering_About]

Just to throw another thing to consider into the discussion... I've seen GBs with very thin BTE measurements, but mine is between about .020-.023" so not worlds apart from a PM2. All the PM2s I have measured have been right around .025".

[p_atrick]

This doesn't really answer your question, but I am eager to see the Performance Delica and how well it sells. If it does well, it could usher in some thin, high(-er) performance steels.

[Evil D]

I voted thin BTE but you've got more of a debate to decide on since it's two different models, I think I would choose the one I liked the most and if I ended up with the thicker model and it bothered me that much I'd have it reground or try to thin it out myself.

Specifically about the question itself though, I think I'd rather have a lesser steel with a thinner/better blade grind than a higher performance steel ground overly thick. I've seen what thin BTE can do with a literally blunt edge and I think I'd enjoy a knife more even with an average steel than if it was so thick it couldn't slice well.

[bdblue]

Those 2 knives have considerably different qualities, I would choose between the qualities of the knives and not the steel or TBE.
I consider Maxamet to not be tough enough for my use and I like M4 so that's the direction I lean.

[ABX2011]

Better steel, then I'll regrind it.

[kissmyba$$69]

What do yall use for thinning out or regrinds on maxamet?

[Wandering_About]

Atoma 140 for the rough work, stop when the scratch pattern just kisses the edge because this stone leaves very deep scratches. Then refine with higher grits, I usually go with 400 then 1000. Bring your diamonds or CBN, and patience. I finish on a strop with 1 micron diamond spray. But I do freehand and do quite a lot of reprofiles... I wouldn't want to go into Maxamet as my first reprofile ever!

Final results on a PM2 and Para 3.

[Freediver]

I vote BLT.