Official 2018 BF Knife: Poll 2/8: Blade Steel

[skblades]

You are in Poll 2/8: Blade Steel

Welcome to the polls for the 2018 Blade Forums Traditional Knife Build. The platform that we will be building this year is the Buck Knives 301 Stockman. This is the first time Buck has been chosen for this project and I'm excited for this process to start!

Once the final knife is chosen, we'll get into logistics for pre-orders, shipping, etc.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed, voted, moderated and participated! Thanks to Mike @knifeswapper as well for stepping into the ring. Without him, we would all still be in discussion limbo! I hope we can build something really special here.

We had an intense lunch meeting to figure out the best way to run the polls. I think these groupings of polls will work great in the order we have them set out.

Be sure to keep the groupings in mind as you vote. The groupings are set up to build on each other each round, and should not conflict with each other. What I mean is that options can be chosen simultaneously within a grouping and then set the foundation for the next grouping. Obviously, you want to know the bolster material before you choose scales/handles, but choosing the steel and the bolster material at the same time will not change the look of the knife, and can therefore be grouped.

PLEASE be sure to read the poll choices carefully as each choice can be packed with many options. You'll notice that especially in Poll 1/8.

Keep in mind the Dot Tang Stamp tradition for this knife when choosing the Steel.

I'm going to run 8 total polls grouped into 3 separate rounds each running from Tuesday to Monday for the next 3 weeks:

Round 1 (week 1):

Poll 1/8: 2 Blades vs 3 Blades 301 - Blade Types LINK HERE
Poll 2/8: Blade Steel
Please note that steels are listed in order of least expensive to most expensive as a reference for cost.
Poll 3/8: Bolsters LINK HERE

Round 2 (week 2):

Poll 4/8: Blade Grinds
Poll 5/8: Handle Materials
Poll 6/8: Long Pull vs Nail Nick

Round 3 (week 3):

Poll 7/8: Stamp
Poll 8/8: Medallion vs No Medallion


* I think it's fair to ask that if you have no interest in ordering a knife, please do not vote, but please do participate in the discussions!

 

[black mamba]

I voted for CPM-154, which is the best steel we can still put the BladeForums tang stamp on. Win - win.

 

[Shurke]

I've gotta go with CPM-154 here. Great performance while still being relatively easy to sharpen -- plus it will take the tang stamp.

 

[TheChunk91]

People, please vote for 20CV. A production stockman in 20CV is nonexistent but now is our chance.

 

[joeradza]

I'm going with the majority here. I prefer a blade stamp but the steel is immaterial to me for this particular knife.

 

[rswanson]

I voted for CPM-154, which is the best steel we can still put the BladeForums tang stamp on. Win - win.

What?! But how can we expect it to hold up to batoning?

While a 20CV slipjoint is pretty intriguing, CPM-154 is sufficient for anything I can imagine using a traditional pocket knife for. Also like the stamp option.

Also, laser-engraved super steel just doesn't scream Traditional Forum knife to me.

 

[Will Power]

If it can't take the Bladeforums stamp, then it is NOT a Forum Knife anymore. 154 is great stainless and it will take the stamp, please bear this in mind voters....

Thanks, Will

 

[Half/Stop]

CPM154 - gotta have the stamp!

 

[Pàdruig]

I feel it important that we maintain the tradition of utilizing the tang stamp, at least until the dots run out. So I voted for CPM-154, a great steel that takes a nice keen edge.

 

[jkulysses]

I voted CPM-154 only because it is the best steel available while also being able to take the forum knife stamp which is very important imho. Laser etching would just look weird on a traditional pocket knife at least on the tang area where a stamp belongs.

 

[Pomsbz]

CPM154 as a great compromise between edge holding and ease of sharpening.

 

[Elgatodeacero]

Gotta go S30V, it’s 2018 people!

And I heard the Russians were involved in CPM154.

 

[SV-97]

20CV all the way, I'd prefer etched 20CV(I thought engraving was also an option?) over stamped CPM-154

 

[Dadpool]

I voted for CPM-154, which is the best steel we can still put the BladeForums tang stamp on. Win - win.

You summed up my exact reason for doing the same!

I love super steels and seek them out in my modern knives, but for a slippie they feel a bit like overkill.

Edited to add: CPM-154 puts the 2018 forum knife in Case/Bose collaboration territory. That's a great place to be!

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I voted for 440C, as I'd rather save a little money, and 440C is nothing to sneeze at. I'd prefer CPM-154, if the price is good.

 

[afishhunter]

CPM-154 got my vote.
The only steels that are up that I have any prior experience with are the 420HC, 440C, and D2. (D2 only for a couple days, but I like it so far.)
I went with CPM-154 because I've heard good things about it here in the forums, and it can use the tamg stamp.
I'll buy the knife regardless, but I would like 440C or higher.

 

[Sabercat]

Either 20cv or cpm154....tough choice.

20cv is my favorite. Cpm 154 is really good though, and can take the stamp...

 

[street soldier]

Went with CPM-154.As stated above, it’s a good steel for a pocket knife(edge retention and ease of sharpening)and it can be stamped.

John

 

[gunstockjack]

I think the tang stamp is really important here, so I voted for cpm154 - fine steel!

 

[abbydaddy]

I would really love 20CV, but I want that stamp. Also, I really love CPM-154.

So as much as I would like to get the very bestest most amazing steel for the knife, I have never found anything I disliked about CPM-154. And I want that stamp a lot more than I want high performance steel. If 420HC was the only option for the stamp, I would pick 420HC. But it isn't, CPM-154 is great, and it will take the stamp.