I don't consider myself a steel snob as I have and use many different types, but if I had to make a short list of my personal favorites ...
I actually prefer carbon steels for almost everything and if I must choose favorites ... Cruwear, D3V and AEB-L are head and shoulders above the rest *in my preference only* (before someone gets forum rage and fusses). I like 52100 and W2 quite a lot also, I've not tried some of the other "unicorn heat treated" metals so I can't speak on those although I think they would serve me incredibly well also.
On the stainless side ... I probably own more S35VN than any other stainless and still think it's a really well balanced steel, but if my arm's twisted to list favorite stainless steels for knives they would be AEB-L, Nitro-V, 14C28N, and an attractive new little gem Magnacut. I only have a bit of experience with Magnacut, but so far it's been a real solid choice.
You can probably tell by my choices that I don't mind sharpening a blade if it needs it and I put a much higher weight on toughness and ease of sharpening over a steel that may hold it's edge awhile longer, but it also take longer to sharpen when it's needed. And most of those type I've had chipping with ... thus my choices.
Now for me this shiney new kid on the block has performed well, but I've not had enough of it to speak on it much one way or the other. That said so far I am happy with it even if I still reach for my old ugly carbon blades 9 of 10 times.
The other stainless I listed hang pretty well with many of the carbon choices so they've earned a place in my tool drawer.
Oh crap ... this isn't Friday evening, and I shouldn't be sitting here by a fire poppin a top or 3 and rambling about stuff this countryboy knows little about ... dohhhhh. Good news is the coolers nice and cool and full ... Geonbae
