Steel Snobs: Your favorite steels?

G

Guy McVer

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Mar 22, 2022
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I'm perfectly happy with budget stainless steels. They're easy to sharpen and they're low maintenance. That's why I love a good Swiss army knife or a stainless Mora. I've fallen into the habit of carrying a cheap pocket stone and using it to touch up my knife a little after each use, and I find this to be a really painless way to keep my knives nice and sharp and ready to go at all times.

I am a total cheapskate. I have spent a ton of money on knives and knife related stuff, but when it comes to individual purchases, I am always looking for the best deal in terms of price to performance and quality. I will not spend a lot of money on a single purchase unless I know it's going to be worth it and it's something I'm definitely not going to regret later.

Just about the only "super steel" I have any interest in is magnacut. I still have yet to buy one, but I do have my eye on a specific knife in magnacut. I just haven't gotten around to buying one yet and I'm in no hurry because I'm pretty happy with the knives I already have.

Lately though I have been getting interested in learning more about higher end steels. Just to get educated.

So what is/are your favorite steels, and what are their pros and cons?
 
S90v S110v. S90v for its edge retention and its decent enough against corrosion. S110 for slightly less edge retention but better corrosion resistance. Both steels keep an edge incredibly well though. S45vn for its corrosion resistance but easier to sharpen than s90v and s110v. It's also a tough steel so chipping is almost a non issue for most tasks with it.
 
S90V is my favorite for pocket knives due to the edge retention, followed by M390 / 20CV / 204P as an ideal steel for general use folders (still prioritizing edge retention). 14C28N or SG2 (VG10 is pretty good too) are my favorites for kitchen knives, and 52100 or O1 for straight razors. For traditionals my favorite is probably 154CM, but that might be because it's the best that's generally available for that type of knife.

All this is very dependent on the knife, too. I'll accept a much lower edge retention but higher toughness steel if the blade is ground super thin (it'll cut well at a lower sharpness due to the geometry and you need that toughness to prevent chipping).
 
My list of personal favorites these days comes down to three steels:

CPM 15V
CPM MagnaCut
AEB-L

15V is a favorite for its wild composition, excellent performance in daily carry for me, and surprisingly good sharpening response. Not stainless though and relatively low toughness so not suitable for every occasion.

MagnaCut as my favorite "all arounder." Sharpens well, holds an edge well, great stain resistance. The story of how it came to be is very cool, and it does have some real innovation in steel composition/properties.

AEB-L for excellent toughness and ease of sharpening. Makes an outstanding fixed blade for the outdoors. Can punch above what its composition might suggest for edge performance if the heat treatment is done right.

Just a personal list of favorites here... there are a lot of other steels out there that make excellent knives, these are just the ones I've come to like the most.
 
My favorites change in a frequent basis. I've probably had a good 1/2 dozen Favorites over the years..... I think most/many are capable depending on their role/use required.


Not, that it's my favorite, but if I was limited to ONE steel for doing Everything...... I think AEB-L, (Nitro V, 14c28n) would cover all my needs as far as being great for edc, chopper, survival, folder, etc..... Name another steel that can compete?


PS.... Maybe Cruwear is my favorite?
 
Ive really enjoyed some k390 and 15v. I definitely agree on the sharpening response with 15v. Really does sharpen easily. Deburrs well. But to be fair so does k390.

As someone who used stainless exclusively for 30 years, I think it's not really necessary honestly. I've not even had a patina form on either of my tool steels much less a rust spot. I just carry them everyday. Use them to cut everything from boxes to zip ties to carpet to dinner.
 
Danke42 said:
I have a lot of tool steel knives. More than I can count right now. Out of those steels M4 is my favourite to cut stuff with. I also have stainless super steels and for those LC200N works really well for me.
Click to expand...

I've never used/owned a knife made with M4, yet.....
I really love M2, and everything I've heard from people is that M4 is way better!
I'm just not ready for That.... Haha
 
8670, MagnaCut, Buck’s 420HC, 4V, Sleipner, AEB-L, CD#1, 14C28N, 1V, S7, 5160, Nitro-V, 3V, A2, Cru-Wear, Z-Tuff.

I hate micro-chipping, so I like high-toughness steels, and on a typical day I gravitate towards carrying stainless. Usually MagnaCut or Buck’s 420HC. On a woods trip I’d go for any steel I just listed. Have had good experiences with all of those.
 
s90v gets my vote, followed by M390/20cv/204p. M4, s45vn, s35vn, and even s30v are fine to me. k390 rusts quickly but is still good to me. I have limited experience with magnacut but it appears to be great too.

I have several SAKs not because of their steel but because of the useful tools included.

Fixed blades are a different story. I have 1095, 3v, and Elmax.
 
I’m gonna feel like a total “snob” here but…

Carbon steels - 52100, W2, 3V and Cruwear.

Stainlesss - Vanax, Elmax, S110v and M390

Apparently I like screaming sharp edges. Haha.

But in reality…most steels I’m fine with, if a knife is made with any of the above steels…I get a bit more excited.
 
I'd have to say S90V is my "favorite" but there are some honorable mentions.
S45VN - It's just a great all round steel, keeps a decent edge and easy to resharpen.
K390 - Takes a screaming edge, and keeps it a good long while.
M390/20CV - Is another great all around steel, TRM does it the best IMO.
 
K390 for fun sharpening experience and good edge retention. Just a really good knife steel, I have several
Magnacut -- stainless doesn't usually do it for me, but this one is really nice on the stones, and holds up well.
15v -- a near miracle for easy sharpening and great edge retention. I want more of this one.
Maxamet, S110v -- when nothing but the best edge retention will do. Favorites for massacring cardboard. Looking to add a Rex121 to this category

I object to "steel snob." This is pure fun.
 
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