POLL: Your favorite folder blade steel

the count · Jul 11, 2013

Thought this might be an interesting poll. Let us know your favorite blade steel for your folding knife(s) whatever the reason may be. I chose several popular steels. Sorry if I did not include your favorite one then just select the best choice. Guess I cast the first vote, it goes to VG10. For me the best combo of rust resistance, sharpness, ease of sharpening and edge retention. Those ultra hard knives like S30V are just a pain to sharpen, and yes, they will dull.

JShirley · Jul 11, 2013

I like VG-10.

But then, I like S30V just fine, too.

John

Yo Mama · Jul 11, 2013

Wow! I was number 3 to vote, but all of us chose VG10! It's a great steel value priced, and for most people will last forever.

Sam Cade · Jul 11, 2013

Of the listed choices I'd go VG-10.

Piraticalbob · Jul 11, 2013

I like old-fashioned carbon steels, myself. 1095 or similar.

Valkman · Jul 12, 2013

I'll take 154CM.

olderguns · Jul 12, 2013

I love VG-10
Also really like The rust resistant steel used in the spyderco Salt series of knifes.

Bartholomew Roberts · Jul 12, 2013

Well, the only one of those I own is 154CM - which appears to be Excalibur-like compared to my collection of various unnamed Chinese steels, Sandivik, 440C, and Pakistani Buck 110 copies.

I've read such good things about ZT's Elmax steel in the Hinderer designs that I'm kind of interested in trying that out; but realistically, even the cheap steels do pretty well for me.

herrwalther · Jul 12, 2013

I am almost D2 steel exclusive for all my serious knife metals. But I have dabbled in 4043 steel for my "beat them up then toss" knives.

jeepnik · Jul 12, 2013

I'm semi old school. I have one of Buck's Titanium Folding Hunters. It replaced the original Folding Hunter I carried for years when I decided to retire it. Too much sentimental value, didn't want to loose it.

gak · Jul 13, 2013

The s90v in my wife's Manix2 is the best cutter I've ever used in a folder. Only CPM-10v in a fixed blade I have cuts with similar aplomb.

the count · Jul 13, 2013

Hmmm, 20 votes so far and only one for AUS8? Somewhat surprising because thats a very common knife steel and not even a really bad one....

ugaarguy · Jul 13, 2013

I voted S30V, but I like VG-10 quite a bit too.

BLB68 · Jul 14, 2013

I can't believe 420J didn't make the list.

DNS · Jul 14, 2013

1095.

And whatever carbon steel Opinel uses.

Zeke/PA · Jul 15, 2013

After over 50 years of making tools/dies/ jigs/ fixtures, I must STILL go with the time honored D-2 for a knife blade. The steel has never let me down especially when it came to punching/slitting/cutting paper, traditionally a nightmare when designing/building/ using dies/ punches/ cutters.

REDMASTA · Jul 15, 2013

Valkman said:
I'll take 154CM.

This. I have 154cm on my EDC Benchmade and its great.

JimStC · Jul 18, 2013

S35VN. I have two folders with this steel.

Jim

Zeke/PA · Jul 18, 2013

REDMASTA said:
This. I have 154cm on my EDC Benchmade and its great.

I did some experimental work for a company a few years back on knife steels including 154 CM.
My favorite D-2 was "right up there" as far as edge holding ability etc. The company decided to go with 154 CM in their blades however as the better corrossion resistence of 154 CM prevailed. Is 154 CM still produced in the US ? Is the steel's Japanese counterpart ATS 34 whats available ?

REDMASTA · Jul 19, 2013

Zeke/PA said:
I did some experimental work for a company a few years back on knife steels including 154 CM.
My favorite D-2 was "right up there" as far as edge holding ability etc. The company decided to go with 154 CM in their blades however as the better corrossion resistence of 154 CM prevailed. Is 154 CM still produced in the US ? Is the steel's Japanese counterpart ATS 34 whats available ?

I think Benchmade's 154cm is an american made steel from Crucible but I could be wrong.

PabloJ · Jul 19, 2013

I have had small G. Sakai folder for over a decade. It does not rust and holds edge very well. I do not know or care what grade steel was used in it's construction.

Mp7 · Jul 19, 2013

12C27 Sandvik.

EKA folder.

351 WINCHESTER · Jul 19, 2013

I'm partial to the carbon steel that the old timer knives that used to be made in America. They were easy to sharpen and held a pretty good edge.

Okiegunner · Jul 19, 2013

I have several knives with many different steels.

Elmax, 154CM, D2, CTS-XHP, S30V, 440C, etc...

I really like VG-10. I was surprised that so many others preferred VG-10

It seems to be just a really, really good all around steel.

sidheshooter · Jul 19, 2013

No love for ATS-34? Or is it lumped in under VG-10/similar?

POLL: Your favorite folder blade steel

Your favorite blade steel for folding knives

AUS8 OR SIMILAR

VG10 OR SIMILAR

8CR13MOV OR SIMILAR

154CM OR SIMILAR

S30V OR SIMILAR

OTHER

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