Knife Steels RANKED 2024! Premium Or TRASH?
Ranking some of the most popular pocket knife steels EVER from "Ultra Premium" to "Trash". - 2024
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There are so many people skipping/ignoring the ranking explanation. As i stated in the beginning of the video, this is NOT a "performance" based ranking. The categories are based on how COSTLY the steel itself tends to be, or to be more specific, how much of the cost of the knife is based on the steel itself REGARDLESS of how it performs. "Performance" is relative and could be ranked in an infinite number of ways. Some of my lower tier steels were mis ranked because I forget which Chinese steels are identical to others, but my point stands. If you are trying to force this ranking system to be based on performance, you misunderstood or completely ignored the intro. I could have changed words like "premium" to "expensive" for a more clear representation, but we all know this wouldn't have stopped some people from aggressively missing the point. The context is all there.
I didn't watch it. I just jumped to the end of the chart. I think you did a good measurement of what is now a guessing game with too many different variables and different outcomes. But that is science and that's what keeps me still hungry for that knowledge. Some take your discussions and opinion way too seriously. It got my mind into it. Bam! You done did yo duty! 😆
@Bethany415 Maybe you should be the producer for him. He's not that bad . I mean you watched it 🤷 If he was ignorant with the knife business I wouldn't have subscribed. Show some love! ✌️
I was wondering what your opinion on 80CRV2 is. I would love your feedback.
I thought the ‘trash’ rated steels were talked about in terms of performance, or maybe I just took it that way.
@@davidglyn9218noted their bad performance but they were ranked that way because they are very inexpensive and undesirable steels. In that case, performance and cost directly correspond
You should make the last couple frames of this video a tier list where everything is just random so people that just go to the end to see the list get triggered by seeing Magnacut in trash tier.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Oooooh, that's evil. I approve 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Lol
It amazes me how yesteryear's super steel is today's budget steel. Just ten years ago, Cold Steel used AUS8 on most of their knives, including the Espada knives costing up to $350.00.
I have 10$ stainless steel knives, super intense, I've been using water for 30 years and they're in perfect condition, it's all relative, maybe a K390 wouldn't last the same amount of time using it the same way, but it's a Premium
Moores Law, but with steels.😊
@@frank_MTwhat do you mean by last?
@@ScrubLordJenkins It is a contraindication of the theanslator perhaps "It would not resist"
Aus8 is still great. Wears quick but easy to sharpen to a razor
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Also i forgot to add that a couple years ago i was working for a pump company that rebuilt water pumps and electric motors for the coal mines and for a long time all of our bearings we used were tempkin brand and in 52100 and they were awesome. I brought home a few of the rollers when we would replace a bearing and used them with some 1095 powder and made some pretty good canister Damascus.
I am a complete Steel Nerd and I often agree with you here. Just 14C28N, S45VN, AR-RPM9, and especially Cruwear need to be placed higher and 420HC is definitely not better than 440C. And I like Elmax even better than S35VN. 7CR, 440A and B and especially 4116 (which is better than 420HC!) are better than trash. 9Cr18MoV is basically similar to 440B, so they can’t be separated by two tiers. Sleipner is rather mid-range, it’s an improved D2. I understand that it’s mainly the cost you use to place them, but referring to only the costs leaves a fuzzy expression. H1 would be higher then, because it’s rather expensive. But it’s not a good steel for a knife generally. 420J2 is decent for Sanmai if a decent core steel is used BTW. Highly entertaining video!
I agree except for apr rpm9. I think it's a horrible proprietary budget steel and cjrb should drop it immediately and rethink what steel to use. They obviously didn't do exhaustive research and development when creating this steel because it sucks. I would have simply went with 14c28n it's cheap enough but idk how easily they can get their hands on it. A properly heat treated D2 can be very good as well and is corrosive resistant enough for most people.
Elmax is identical to s45 in terms of toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance ... according to Larrin Thomas.
@@jimmycricket7946 My experiences are totally different.
@@BladeLabMiami That's why both need to be placed higher.
I noted the miss ranking of 440B. The ranking isn't "better" or "worse". It's based on cost and how specialized the steel is. Performance is all relative. Some of these lower end steels are definitely miss ranked though because I forget which Chinese compositions are the same as the others.
LC200N was the steel NASA developed for ball bearings. 52100 was just an earlier steel thatvwas comminly use in ball bearings.
And Aeb-L is like a stainless 52100 👍🏻
@@DuhYaThink That's a theory, in reality, they are very different. I get edge retention higher than Elmax and better edge stability (toughness) than 3V with all my handforged ballbearing steel knives. Not even close with my AEB-L's.. softer and edge retention is like 4 to 5 times less.
@greekveteran2715 - i believe you...heat treatment, geometry make for huge variables.
@@DuhYaThink- true...DCA on Knifecenter was talking about the relationship between 52-100/ AEBL
@@Monsoonpain That's true, however, AEB-L, is a much softer stainless steel, where ballbearing steels, usually are harder alloys that keep their edges way longer.Different type of steels and very different performance between them. KZheadr's that know little to nothing about knives or steel, usually spread nonsence, like the "AeB-L, is the same or similar to a ballbearing steel. Not even close.
This is awesome! Actually very helpful. Can you make this tier list available for others to do it as well with different criteria??
Didnt include CPM 69420 disliked and unsubscribed
😂 my favorite
😂
I prefer CPM 68420. That's where I owe you one.
Nice.
Bye!
Very informative.... High value.... Took a screen shot with my phone for ready reference.... Well done....
AEB-L is essentially 13c26n and when used in kitchen knives is sometimes called FC61
only miyabi which is owned by zwilling calls AEBL fc61. that's not a real thing, it's a marketing term. and miyabi knives are trash. twice as thick (or more) behind the edge as another mainstream knife like Shun. Thicker than 40$ victioinoix and doesn't cut as good either. handle heavy. gaudy styling and flashy. they're all sizzle and no steak for morons who don't know anything about kitchen knives. with their washington monument choils and 24 thou behind the edge. I'm sure edc bros would love them tho. miyabis are literally the worst knives you can get for the money. absolute trash. I own 3 of them. They're trash.
This is very helpful. I had a fundamental idea of ranking but the extra detail is great. Thanks for your efforts!
I think LC200N is underrated by many. Sure, not great edge retention, but man, it is tough and super high corrosion resistant. I'm super happy that MagnaCut knives are coming down to such great prices too.
Cruwear is beyond any doubt ultra premium. Excellent toughness, very good edge retention, and it's borderline stainless.
Na. CruWear is definitely where it should be
@@metal_complex Agreed
Yes but that's true for a lot of the high end steels, to be ultra premium it has to have something more
I could see Cruwear in premium but no way it’s it ultra premium.
@@metal_complexyou put 20CV over Cruwear? You gotta be kidding. S45VN is better than 20CV and M390.
420J2 I would consider more of a lamination/jacketing steel than a core steel, BUT it is used as a blade steel on cheap knives. The mastermind at Carpenter who thought to combine 440C & D2 and came up with CTS XHP should get a medal, that steel is such a great performing user steel. I have heard CTS XHP is now discontinued, I hope that's not true. Some amazing steel on this list, people might disagree with some of the placements but it's not their list 😅
Spyderco is dropping a bhq exclusive xhp Shaman soon.
I gotta say I love these Tier lists! Informative an controversial at the same time!! I like to see this list done again but in two parts. a FOLDER tier list and a FIXED BLADE tier list. ;)
i make a lot of kitchen knives out of AEB-L and it’s super similar to 14c28n but is easier for custom makers to get and it easy to work with while also getting up to like 64 HRC while still being tough as nails so good in the kitchen. love the video!!
Another awesome video brother, loved it! And Warren Thomas was the one who predominantly made Tungsten Carbide blades popular. This vid is fantastic for both newbies and us old heads in the community as well. Keep up the great work! 🤙🏻💪🏻
Thanks for validating my Spyderco Rex45 purchase from this morning!!!!! Stormtrooper Sprint from GP on a Manix!!!
Rex45 is great but it will rust if not taking care of properly
@@Rammer_Jammer how often are we talking? Because my Manix is in maxamet, which also isn’t stainless (if I remember correctly), and it hasn’t stained yet in the few weeks I’ve had it.
sweet, actually the first one i almost 100% agree with. only thing is the two Sandviks should be one up.
Pretty awesome Thanks for taking the time to put out some new updates
Awesome topic brother thanks for a visual with all them side buy side. Thanks.
I was a bit disappointed by m390/cpm 20 cv toughness, the 154 and 14n28 are great work use steels. I want to try cpm m4 or s35 as they might be a good option for my normal use.
So far I am loving both my CJRB knives, I am wanting to branch out into different steels and this video helps a lot.
Great video! What do you think about SR-101 steel? Which category would that be listed in?Thanks keep up the great work!
AEB-L is similar to 14C28N, i would move both up a level, and bring VG-10, 154CM, and N690 down a level. 80CrV2 is missing, awesome carbonsteel when it has been heattreated to high hardnes.
I personally would rather a well heat treated 440c to anything in the good budget range. Its definitely fallen out of favor lately, but its still technically more complex and well rounded than even 154cm and vg10
Looking for some knife suggestions. I need to cut a bunch of shrink wrap off of pallets at work and it slips off of my normal drop point blades. Looking for something like a hawk bill or recurve blade that will gather the material into the cut. Im right handed, and the blade needs to lock, i dont really care what kind of lock though. Knife needs to be under $200, but ideally it would be under $100 Normally i prefer tougher steels, but this knife will ONLY be used to cut shrink wrap, so harder steels are fine for once. My current front runner is the "claw" pattern from Honey Badger. Suggestions?
Thank you so much for this list. Very helpful. What are your thoughts on VG-Max? I have a few Japanese kitchen knives that use that for the core.
@metal_complex thanks for this video. This was quite insightful and helped further my understanding in bladesteels. I did wonder on RWL 34 since I just purchased a Herman off DLT that is in RWL 34 but when you look at the detailed description it says Damasteel RWL34 powder stainless steel, what is the difference if any? Lastly on H1, I have carried a serrated Spyderco Pacific Salt since 2011 and it has been sharp since day 1 but I do not cut much and it is serrated.
RWL 34 is made my the Damasteel Company. So saying “Damasteel RWL34” is like saying “Bohler M390” or “CPM S35VN”
@@chriscrawls6885 Thanks I did not know that
I thought cruwear would be higher due to how well-rounded it is. I heard it was like MagnaCut but slightly nerfed.
Great video… would you consider doing a video series regarding how the big companies heat treat different steel but do it in this format?
Everyone has there own loves. Mine are 440c & 14C28N & also 9cr18mov is another one I’m starting to love as well. Me personally, paying over a hundred for 1 knife is just ridiculous. Yes, in the past I’ve bought many 4-500$ knives and then eventually traded or sold them. I’m all about using my knives now and not just flipping them. Again this is just me, after so many years of collecting. Started completely over, but this time, I’m not sure I own anything over 70$ for a knife. It’s just not worth it, not for me. The only thing I think that should be changed on your chart, D2 should be low end & 440c & 12C28N should be under good budget. I mean 440c did use to be a super steel at one point. That’s why I think these 3 steels should change spots but everything else made sense to me.
This is useful if for no other reason than to see what type of steel should be expected at different prices points. From that starting point you could do your own research and decide if a particular steel has the right mix of performance values for you. Great video MC!
I’m glad s30v and s35vn are moving down the list as they are my two favorite knife steels and are getting less expensive 🎉
I will get the D2 and 3CR13MOV for beater pocket knives for work and have no issues with them, you spend $20-$50 on it and get a few months out of it, it serves it's purpose. I really am wanting to get a good "budget" folder that takes razor blades, I know there is a new Elementum coming out with it for about $50. I can't remember the titanium one that you had on your page a while ago, that one was great looking and if I remember correctly around $100?
OUTSTANDING Video! Great topic! I enjoyed this way 2 much. THANK YOU! The way you outlined the steels according 2 price was great, and it is almost like you get what you pay for, and in some cases you pay entirely 2 much for a lower quality steel, and when I look it over I notice the better performing are ranked higher, and I look that CPM3V is premium cost with above premium performance so it appears that CPM3V is the best deal! I have ELMAX, MAGNACUT, CPM3V, CPM154, and 80crV2. The CPM154 is the same, and the most underrated steel. CPM3V is my favorite! Please make more Quality videos!
Been waiting for this episode forever. Been trying to figure out this subject since my interexr in blade edc was awaked. Thanks MC you are the man! Still waiting for that Neptune review unless I missed it!!🙌🏾
I just got the pm2 in s90v from palmetto state armory of all places for like 180. It is the teal g10
I remember when VG-10 and Ats-34 were the hottest thing to get- I purchased a 1 of 50 Will Henry with anodized titanium scales and VG -10 blade still got it- was my first really high end knife purchase and what started me down a very expensive hobby- I can hardly keep up with all the steels now- I am still a huge fan of VG -10- now I just got into some magnacut pieces
Hi! What are your thoughts on Cruwear? i Want to get the PM2 in Cru-carta because its an absolute beauty! but I don't know if the steel used is good or not. I see you put it in High end, but could you explain why this is? If I could get a magnacut PM2 with Micarta scales that would be the greatest knife ever!2
Im curious to see how muxh further we can push steel compositions. Will we get to a point that steels like rex 45, m390, and s45vn are considered low end?
Thanks for the video! I was confused why some OTF knives were expensive while S&W OTF was cheap
It's funny... last year I came into a possession of cheap Chinese folding karambit in 3CR14MoV and decided to use it to cut up boxes in my garage, which I do quire often. It was impressively sharp from from the start but I didn't expect that to last at all. More than half a year later and it still does an admirable job cutting through some pretty thick cardboard after zero maintenance. I am pretty amazed that even a "trash" steel can perform like this. I mean, carboard is actually supposed to be pretty tough on blades thanks for the clay and other stuff in it. Makes me wonder, do most knives even need better steels? I'd definitely put AUS10 in "Good Budget", BTW.
Great job on the category tiers you placed all the knife steels in MC , and btw PM 60 that you mentioned is the same awesome steel as ASP 60 steel!!!!
for the longest, I swore by S30v but my EDC that I currently have is 154 cm honestly, it's a really decent Steel
I agree about the still rankings. I notice there is tiers to how these steals are made to not just type of steel . I was given a custom made pocket knife as a kid. It was a 440c german made knife. It gets way sharper and holds it`s edge so much longer than anything I own. I have several different brands of knives and metals. Cpm90v, cruwear, cpm30v, cmp45vn, d2 m390, cpm m4. None compare in the sharpness and edge retion of that old custom made german knife made out of 440c. I tried boker 440c it is not even close to the custom knife in 440c.
I enjoyed this, the format just begs to be revisited every few years to see how the landscape and market evolve. Seeing 440C near the bottom is nuts as 'not too long ago' that was a premium and sought after steel. Personally I'd have put it above 420HC even under the parameters of this tier list but this is your list :) Good upload!
Where would you place asp-60 like whats found in the maxace killer whale 2.0?
Wemt from not caring too much about steel as could always sharpen, to quickly realising that high end and up is the way for me. Cant be bothered spending loads of time sharpening and it always being dull when i need it. I went s110v and never looked back. But thats just my experience.
Now we're going to see a price increase for the 15V and a lowering for the Cruwear and I don't understand the Spydi's strange pricing policy for the S45VN compared to the S90V or K390 but I'm sure it's all very well thought out
I have a crkt m16 that's in 4116 and I've used it for a long time it takes an edge very well and holds it pretty well so from my experience I think it should at least be in the low end because it performs almost identical to AUS8.
My collection is normally in the 20-70 dollar range I like D2 it does rust in the environment I live (and washing semis at work unless it coated) I like aus 8 and 420c as well as 8cr13 and 14c28n I have mini griptillen I forget what steel it is I got the knife for free and that thing sharpens very nice but I have a few qsp knives penguin, canary, parrot, canary neck knife with Damascus but the penguin in D2 coated I can see some dulling but I’ve used that knife well used and it’s still very sharp aus 8 i havent sharpened yet either from swiss tech same thing some dulling but still sharp i enjoyed this video, learned more about blade steel my go to knife brands are crkt, buck, qsp and best tech (good boy)
Good video. Some thoughts: - 14c28n is criminally underrated. We prize edge retention so much, but this steel takes an insane edge and while it doesn't hold it that long it's easy to bring back. Throw in ultra ultra stainlessness AND insane strength, it's perhaps the best non PM user steel. - cruwear (and 3v tbh) are wonderful and premium imo because they're nearly stainless at 7.5/8% Chromium but have all the strengths of tool steel (like strength). - I still have lots of questions about s30v's strength. Larrin's website has a range for strength for the other S steels, but a single data point for s30v. Given Spyderco's utilization of it as a user steel on hard use knives I suspect it might be stronger than advertised.
I’ve got a couple Bradford Kitchen knives in AEB-L. For kitchen knives I would put this in at least the mid-range tier. I like this steel, but it might not be great for EDC.
Good list. I would put CruWear, Elmax & S45VN into the Premium category, but that’s about all I would change.
I'm really just learning about knives and the steel material. Were knives always this varied or has the market exploded recently?
10V and K390 both very good edge retention and decent toughness. Stain resistance is low but not terrible. I would put each of them in the premium. I personally agree with almost all the rest of the list except I would have to drop VG10 down a notch to good budget. Also forgot to add Nitro-V which is very similar to 14C28N
Very educational. Thx MC! Thumbs up!
AEB-L is good for razor blades actually. Like a straight razor. I would argue that it is better than midrange, but I also put 440C into midrange, which also is good budget. Kinda confusing list, depending on ones own standards. But then I am speaking about performance only and not about money.
Late to the party as usual but I'd say it's a pretty fair assessment. One caveat is there tends to be a fair overlap between the better mid -range and lower high-range steels but honestly where would you stop. My personal solution is to go with 3V wherever I can as I believe it has the best all-round properties.
Thoughts on SK-85 (SK5) for fixed blade only in the rankings?
So as somewhat of a novelist knife guy. At this point all of my knives are users, I do stick to S30V, S35VN and D2 steals. I try to stay in the $160 or less price range. I've recently decided to get into the higher end side of things. Where's a good place to start looking? Also what brands are recommended for someone starting out with a collection?
Chris Reeve. McNees TRM (best built for the price) Heretic OTS (Pariah is a good start) Don't ignore the high-end Chinese. Reate. WE. Bestech. Artisan. Kansept (they all have well-built high-end stuff) There are some ideas off the top of my head.
Kansept has some pretty wildly cheap knives for the steel, if you’re okay with their style. I have a Korvid XL in 154cm and Micarta for $88.
I mostly hang out in the mid range (154cm, nitro V etc.) my absolute favorite all atound steel is s35vn. I do have a couple premium steels like 20cv and zdp189. My Katsu in zdp doesnt get carried much but damn is it a nice blade. Basically a "budget" Rockstead
Thanks, for your precious expérience.
This video made me go back and check all of my knives. CRKT used 1050 in some of their earlier knives. I also have a knife that is very questionable in terms of steel. I suspect that it was advertised as M390 but I paid less than 100.00 for it.
The Spyderco sprint engine swap metaphor is a good one.
@metal_complex. Fixed blade knife maker here. AEB-L is one of my fav steels to work with. You can put it right there with 14c and Nitro-V as all 3 are almost identical. Fun fact. AEB-L is the toughest stainless steel on the market. A2 is one of the best fixed hard use knife steels. Also I’d like to mention. I think there’s a lot of hype surrounding steels. I think you should make a list of good steels period. Not what tier because of price. Because if I’m honest I’d buy some of those “good budget steels” over lots of the premium and “ultra premium”. I value well rounded steels over super brittle edge retention steels.
I enjoyed your presentation but Cruwear & Nitro V (very Tough, yes weak edge retention) seem to rank too low. The blade steels are created or used for different tasks so it is hard to have a generalized ranking.
This is a good video for people trying to make sense of all these numbers and names. But when choosing a good blade ht is most important then geometry for whatever need and finely the choice of steel. To many companies are using a certain steel as a selling point but dont have the right geometry for the type of knife and definitely aren't doing good ht's.
Actually it's geometry first THEN heat treatment, but I mentioned this. Almost word for word.
Thank you for doing this about steels. Here's my mistake using a Bucklite for over 30 years elk hunting. Yeah i would barely get an elk dressed out and my knife would be dull. Now I know why.
Buck and Spyderco do wonders with S45vn...I have grown to favor it above most steels. My current faves are k390, and Magnacut. However, 420HC gets crapped on, but BUCKS heat treatment of 420 makes it superior to many budget steels, even better than a few premium steels. It's tough, reliable, doesn't rust easily if at all , easy to sharpen. I still cling to it for garage/ outdoors duties
You mentioned not knowing alot about AEBL or having kuch experience with it... Well, id love to send you a small fixed blade in aebl at high hardness so you can see how it does on the stones! Id love to see how sharp you can get it!
Funny, that most of my SpyderCo's are AUS6 and AUS8/AUS8A. Hummm... I also have a ATS55 Dyad. 🤠👍 Keep up the good work sir!
A distinction between BD1 and BD1N is necessary. BD1N has better edge retention and (I think) better corrosion resistance than BD1. I would have liked to see Niolox on the list. Sleipner is also used by Acta Non Verba.
Niolox is pretty rare to see. I imagine that's why it didn't make the list. I probably have 100+ knives from many years of collecting. Only 1 is in Niolox, and it's a handmade kitchen knife from Cyprus 😂
@@0zmose Niolox isn't that uncommon on Italian knives. Still I don't own one.
My ronin 2 fixed blade from spyderco is BD1N and its held up great!
Hey this was awsome mr. Metal appreciate your time and knowledge
Thanks for the great video! Where would you rate CPM-CRUWEAR?
It's there
@metal_complex - Somehow I missed it! My apologies. Thanks again for this much needed info on the quality of metals!
RWL34 is the center section of Damasteel billets...As a knife maker I use quite a bit of RWL34, and it sells well.
I am pretty new to knife collecting because I just graduated and needed a way to waste the money I was making. Out of my very short term experience with this the only ranking I disagree with is s45vn but I don’t know if you can throw it in premium with s90v and s110v but it should definitely be at the very top of high end in my opinion.
Amazing video tho
2 of my favorite steels I think are slightly out of place, 14C28N should be up with nitro v and 154 cm Also magnacut should move down to premium. You can get magnacut cheaper than anything else in ultra premium. I think it's the best steel, but this list seems to be more about price, and it's not an ultra premium price
I’m very interested in investing in a folding knife with a MagnaCut blade but I have a limited budget. I’d love a video that was something along the lines of “Best MagnaCut pocket knives under $200 or under $250”.
Imo 14c is one of the best knife steels on the market. Super steel tough, not much is tougher, great corrosion resistance almost super steel like, holds a decent edge and is able to be sharpened insanely easily
I'm with you on that one...especially considering the price range of the knives you find it on.
Many people don’t realize a super steel for a pocketknife might not be very good for a heavy duty outdoor knife where chopping is necessary. I’ve seen some of the high end super steels chip very quickly in heavy outdoor use especially in very cold weather where a 1095 has better toughness. I like 14c28N or S35VN for my folders and 1095 for my outdoor fixed blades good compromise price,edge retention, toughness and importantly at least to me is ease of sharpening since I use my knives regularly. It all depends how and what the knife is used for. For field dressing deer I prefer my 440C over my 154CM or S35VN knives simply because it takes a hair popping edge within minutes where my harder steels can take some time and effort to sharpen.
Benchmade used 154CM and ATS-34 on a lot of their knives. I'm not sure about now because I haven't bought one in quite a while.
I would put VG-10 into upper mid range. It's important to also rank within a category.
Very helpful. Thank you. 😊
Solid video mate ,learning knife steels and this is great info. 🙏🤘
14c28n i think i would move up to mid range. Especially if its heat treated correctly.
Hey what about cpm 3v like my maxace hephestus or my Midgards Messer backup tactical
I agree MagnaCut is an amazing steel, The name alone is way cooler than any other steel lol. But my S35 and S45 knives are retaining the edge a bit better than my MagnaCut, same with my 20CV Rosie to my Magna Rosie, the magna keeps getting little rough spots and tiny chips. The S35/45 get dull, but the edge doesn't chip. I like this property better in a steel personally. the Mcnees is the only Magna knife have not experienced that with. I would have the S35/45 in Premium and Magna as well. Great video as always!
I think, the Heat treatment of your Magnacut is bad….
You have the RLW 34 and Cruwear a bit low and the CPM 3V a bit higher than it should be. I'd also add Vanadis 4 Extra, which is a better CPM 4V, since Crucible, can't compare with the Bohler Uddeholm 3d generation power metallurgy and generally speaking, Bohler/Udeholm, make THE best steels in the world. M/K/S390 steels,Elmax,Vanadis 4 Extra, Vanax,M398,Vanadis 8...Vanadis 4 Extra for fixed blades and M390 for folders, are my 2 favorite steels.That being said, steel is the last factor, you should care for on a knife,it's all the other,that matter the most.
I agree about RWL34. It’s definitely in the high end steel I’d take it over S30V any day.
@@maahes9561 Exactly!!
I was lucky to get a damasteel tanto blade with a rose wood handle for 175$ from my knife plug they give me discounts on lots of high end knives and brands
I remember when 440 stainless,440C steel were all the rage with low end knives from world martial arts supply,flea markets,chain stores,hardware stores,etc. Then people in the steel world started making way better steel almost overnight. Knife makers and anyone who used steel had to change to keep up. The companies you see today. Spyderco,coldsteel,kershaw,SOG,and many others became famous for their designs. However Buck,Ka-Bar,and many others stuck with their designs and changed up the steel mostly. They never lost popularity even with a knife market over saturated with different companies. Hold up a buck knife or a USMC Ka-Bar for the world to see and maybe 80% of the worlds population has seen one and knows where it came from.
I was just watching one of your older videos about this... gonna be funny to see where you place s90v now.
Grimsmo uses AEB-L for their lock interface in their lock bar inserts!
I love these types of videos. It is important for newer people getting interested to have these resources as long as they keep in mind that these ratings are assuming that the heat treat is done well.
Definitely helpful for those who aren't knowledgeable on steels. Cheers. 👐
I’m a fairly new person and understand knife design and blade geometry but as a newbie I have to say this is hurting my head. How about a biz card size chart we can print and take along in the billfold? Thanks for this though it does help!
Kershaw released a version of their edc classic the Blur in Magnacut for only 130. You can get a premium blade at a reasonable price.
Yeah, I got a kershaw dividend in magnacut for 110. Nice, but I think the could work on their heat treat. Doesn't hold the best edge like I would expect.
I always enjoy watching these. I usually learn at least something I didn’t know. Thanks MC. Keep it sharp brother🗡️