Super stainless (but not H1 or LC200N) question.

[TheGiant80]

For those who love a good stainless steel, which variant is your favourite? I have experience with LC200N and H1 and am looking for different flavours..

I just moved to the rainforest and I’m always in the market for new folders. S30V and S35VN are cool but I’m hoping to step into the “Super steel” category this time.

Patina is fine but I want to avoid rust. I’m okay with moderate upkeep and maintenance, as long as it’s not super frequently.

Right now S90V and S110V are in my sights, but I welcome any and all input regarding my question in general. Hit me!

[skeeg11]

I prefer the way S90V cuts and sharpens, but my S110V is pretty dang stainless. That being said, the overall attractiveness of MagnaCut is calling me.

[CLOK]

The only others on the H1/H2 and LC200N levels of corrosion resistance would be Vanax, and Magnacut.

The next tier “down” in corrosion resistance would be a S110V or 20CV. I like my 20CV knives and they fit my needs well where they don’t lose their edge as fast as the H1 and LC200N knives I use. I can’t speak for S110V as I have not used that material yet.

There are plenty more which offer a bit less corrosion resistance as those which are great as well…just depends on what your intended use is for. Like M390 and M398 is pretty corrosion resistant and fit my needs super well but I am not in a rainforest as you are. For being in a rainforest the 20CV may work well but would focus more on the upcoming magnacut offerings if you need more toughness in a blade.

Others will have great input, especially those in wet/higher humidity areas!

[RamZar]

Excluding H1/H2, LC200N, MagnaCut and Vanax…

I always go with M390/20CV/204P as my favorite EDC steel for corrosion resistance and edge retention in a small 3” blade length folder.




Chart by Larrin: https://knifesteelnerds.com/2021/10/19/ ... esistance/

[phaust]

Vanax is my favorite never-gunna-rust steel.

S110v then 20cv/m390 are my favorite very-stainless ones. Both will pepper spot around here certain times of the year, but it's easy to remove.

[zuludelta]

I have a fair amount of experience using S110V (I have it in 4 models: Native 5 LW, Manix 2, PM2, and UKPK) & would readily recommend it to anyone looking for a very highly corrosion resistant "super steel". It's on the low end of the toughness scale but I personally have never had any issues with it being brittle or "chippy" with regular, normal work use. S110V is actually tougher than ZDP-189 & Maxamet, with ZDP-189/S90V level edge retention, and corrosion resistance that's only behind the "salt" steels (LC200N, H1, Magnacut).

It has a reputation as being difficult to sharpen, but again, I haven't found it to be especially hard to keep sharp (and I'm not some advanced sharpening wizard like some of the people in this forum). It just takes a little longer, and you'll want to use diamond or CBN.

[msum]

Yeah, I hear Vanax is good for something balanced.

How about Nitrobe 77? I don’t think it’s produced anymore, though. Is it?

How about DLC coating on something already very corrosion resistant? I know that’s controversial…

Of the two steels mentioned by the OP, S110V is clearly the better bet for rust resistance, as pointed out by everyone else…

[Brock O Lee]

S110V or M390 are stainless enough for IWB carry, freshwater activities or picnic on the beach. They’ll likely show some corrosion in saltwater environments like ocean fishing and boating.

[Cl1ff]

Most among the “Super Steel” ranks have been mentioned already.

I think if you’re interested in good stainless steels there are many that are worth trying.

BD1N doesn’t have super edge retention, but it is slightly better than LC200N and still very stainless.

[jwbnyc]

20CV gets used in quite a few exclusives which can often be found at relatively good prices which recommends it as a good pick for someone looking for a steel, that will hold an edge, with particularly good corrosion resistance at a, more or less, reasonable price. Whether that holds through 2023 remains to be seen.

[RamZar]

In Larrin’s 1% salt water corrosion tests S90V didn’t perform as well as the top tier: Vanax, MagnaCut (New Steel in image) and 20CV.



Article by Larrin: https://knifesteelnerds.com/2021/10/19/ ... esistance/

[Bemo]

Still amazes me that S45vn rusts less than s90v.