Interesting choices. An expert sharpener can probably get most steels sharp. I need a steel for the rest of us, LOL.
I don't mind putting the time in to working with a hard steel, if that is needed.
I have heard that M4 can take on quite a sharp edge, but it's becoming clear there are other options to consider.
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Oh they all get sharp and they are all hard.
its just that the majority of people find that steels like aebl, 52100 , white steel, blue steel are easier to sharpen
its true they are quicker to sharpen.
but that doesn't mean they all cant achieve that sharpness.
m4 isnt like the above steels, yes, it gets very sharp and is very strong and very hard but its not going to sharpen as easy as white steel,but its will be more wear resist.
M4 is in a class of carbon PM tool steel
with the highest ratio of wear resistance, strength and toughness relative to each other at the cost of corrosion resistance
M4 is a steel you don't let get dull.
its is respected for its ability to hone good to maintain its sharpness, but most of all, it is a very good edge holding steel that has been proven in competition
remember cpm M4 still has 4% vanadium.
the same amount as s30v which is the main component to why s30v has its wear resistance.
and is a factor in the sharpening difficulty that people have.
the natural stones are just not going to be effective.
synthetics stones with the right abrasives are needed.
we can go on and on about the steel but there seriously are alot of other varibles that cant be overlooked.
its the synergy of those variables that contributes to a high performance blade. but the steel names are more catchy and obvious then how someone is heat treating or if the geometry will work or the use of the knife, sharpening skill etc.
Thats why you cant get a straight answer, it all depends.