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Thread: What is your blade steel preference?

  1. #21
    Boolit Master


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    444ttd, that's a very interesting blade. Being in the steel trade for years, we would call that lamination, separation or cold lap. Apparently that fella had his process down pat.
    jono, that Medowlarks blade is seriously serated. That would maybe be one of the best for cutting rope and/or seatbelts.
    I ordered a Kershaw Outright a couple days ago. It also has the 8Cr13MoV steel. I really like its design. Nice lines, and the blade configuration coming off the handle. I liked the blue/black, pretty classy.
    I may have to pick up a Kershaw Blur to replace the Whirlwind I lost.
    If a 41 won't stop it, I wouldn't bet my life on a 44.

  2. #22
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    Wow, my Kershaw Outright just came in the mail. I just put my order in to Blade HQ on the 17th. That is super fast delivery in my book. The knife is as described, and pictured. Very nice. Razor edge from the factory. It's a little stiff, but it'll smooth out in a while. So far, I have no complaints with Blade HQ. Super service, and great deliver time.
    If a 41 won't stop it, I wouldn't bet my life on a 44.

  3. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by littlejack View Post
    Wow, my Kershaw Outright just came in the mail. I just put my order in to Blade HQ on the 17th. That is super fast delivery in my book. The knife is as described, and pictured. Very nice. Razor edge from the factory. It's a little stiff, but it'll smooth out in a while. So far, I have no complaints with Blade HQ. Super service, and great deliver time.
    I have been very impressed with Blade HQ both with price and shipping. Glad you like the knife and after reading this thread I ordered another from them.

    Cutting rope and such was what i had in mind ordering the Meadowlark and why ive gone to partial serrated. Does that in spades as well as trimmer string, plastic packaging, twine, skinning wire, tendons etc.
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  4. #24
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    I'm sorry I pulled you off the wagon. Vices are hard to break. What knife did order, if you don't mind me asking?
    If a 41 won't stop it, I wouldn't bet my life on a 44.

  5. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by littlejack View Post
    I'm sorry I pulled you off the wagon. Vices are hard to break. What knife did order, if you don't mind me asking?
    Kizer Azo Vanguard https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kizer-...leiter--117228 The steel seems comparable to VG10 which I've had in a couple of Spyderco Delica's and am sold on it as an EDC steel. The Delica design is why I carry the Byrd's.

    Knives are one of the things my better half may look at me a little sideways but never says a word as she knows how important and useful having one in your pocket or on your belt can be. Wife never carried one till she met me but now carries one everyday and has said on more than one occasion how much she never knew she would use it or have people ask "anyone got a knife" and she does. Last time was in a group with several men and only she pulled a pocket knife out. Carries a Spyderco Bug and a Byrd Meadowlark. Got some looks most likely of envy, lol

    One of these is very useful I've found https://www.bladehq.com/item--SharpN...ep-Knife--7955 I have this and one with a fold out bar for serrations.
    Last edited by jonp; 08-22-2021 at 04:06 PM.
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  6. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by GhostHawk View Post
    I prefer good carbon steel but have learned the last 10 years that stainless if taken care of will hold an edge longer. It will take a little more work to keep that edge in good operating condition. But not that much more.

    As to the particular knife you mentioned, it fails on a couple of points for me.

    A I admit that I am a knife and gun ***** but I am a cheap one. Yours is about double what I would ever spend.

    B Pocket clip is on the wrong end. Should be on the other end. So when you slide it out your finger falls naturally on the flipper to open it. The way it is at some point you have to give the knife a 180 degree flip to orrient itself to your hand correctly. Which is a point where Murphy can step in and cause a bobble.
    Just at the point when you need it in your hand, open, ready for business.

    C IMO the blade is a touch short. I'd of been happier with a 3.25 to 3.5 inch blade.

    D As to steel, only way you know that for sure is time and experience.

    https://www.amazon.com/Eafengrow-Cle...7K9NG6MF&psc=1

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    https://www.amazon.com/KCCEDGE-BEST-...9375356&sr=8-1

    Bought my first 2 from BudK for 20$.
    The Damascus black takes and holds and edge well.

    I see with this one they got the pocket clip fixed. So ordered one to test it out. If it makes the grade its my new EDC.
    17.15 with tax from Amazon.
    I certainly agree with you on the clip. I like hinge down. Reach for it and open with one hand, no fumbling. What do you use that third one for? I can't find a reason for having that blade design but I'm not a fan of a tanto either.
    Last edited by jonp; 08-22-2021 at 04:03 PM.
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  7. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by 444ttd View Post
    mine was made in WV by marvin wotring (RIP). he used steel banding in my damascus knife. it holds the edge better than any of my buck and schrader knives.

    Oh Boy! That is a beautiful knife. I'd be afraid to take it out of the house.
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  8. #28
    Boolit Master 444ttd's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jonp View Post
    Oh Boy! That is a beautiful knife. I'd be afraid to take it out of the house.

    i got it at a gun show in WV. i was looking for a custom knife at the 10 or so years ago. there was somebody(i don't know the name) that made knives and he had tables full of them. he also had many customers, so i didn't stay there. i was looking at another table for a knife and he(startled me) said $70 for it. i gave $80 and said keep the change. i talked to him(never knew the name of him) and he said he made the knives and other things at his shop. steel bands, harley bike chains....he'd make them into knives.

    when i get home, i remember where he was and i find him on the 'puter. not only he does custom knives, he does custom muskets!!!!!!




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  9. #29
    Boolit Grand Master GhostHawk's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jonp View Post
    I certainly agree with you on the clip. I like hinge down. Reach for it and open with one hand, no fumbling. What do you use that third one for? I can't find a reason for having that blade design but I'm not a fan of a tanto either.
    First one I found like that was sold on Budk for 20$. I carried it daily for some 8 or 9 months. Very handy for opening Amazon boxes. Holds an edge pretty well. And I like the looks of the Damascus. But I probably bought it as much for intimidation factor as anything.

    The Amazon one arrived a couple of days ago and it came sharp. Love having the clip on the right end. So momma gained a knife for her collection. In a purse clip is not all that necessary. I think for now it is sitting on her bedside table for opening boxes.
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  10. #30
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    CPM M4 Tuff and hard balance. If stainless is needed M390.
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  11. #31
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    Jonp
    Your new Kizer knife is very practible. Plain no frills EDC. I like that particular straight blade look.
    Ghost hawk, I agree with you on the damascus blades. Some of those designs it makes are absolutely beautiful. Yes, it does gave the intimidation factor. Resembling the straight razor.
    Last edited by littlejack; 08-24-2021 at 02:07 PM.
    If a 41 won't stop it, I wouldn't bet my life on a 44.

  12. #32
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    I generally like knives of the buck, case, and schrade variety. New buck with 420hc. Case with either cv carbon or stainless, I’m told the cv is 1084 with chromium added. Schrade used 1095 for their carbon, and 440A for their stainless mostly. Easy to sharpen is my primary concern, then, how it cuts. I’d rather have a knife that sharpens on an Arkansas stone but needs sharpening daily, than one that needs a diamond stone but stays sharp forever, but is hard to sharpen when it does need it.

    My favorite knives include; buck 192, buck 110, case large stockman in stainless, old timer 34ot, old timer 33ot, old timer 143ot. For a single bladed one hand opening knife, the buck 345.

    I like the bench made 3310. It don’t own one anymore. I didn’t like the blade steel, but it sure was cool.

  13. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bazoo View Post
    I generally like knives of the buck, case, and schrade variety. New buck with 420hc. Case with either cv carbon or stainless, I’m told the cv is 1084 with chromium added. Schrade used 1095 for their carbon, and 440A for their stainless mostly. Easy to sharpen is my primary concern, then, how it cuts. I’d rather have a knife that sharpens on an Arkansas stone but needs sharpening daily, than one that needs a diamond stone but stays sharp forever, but is hard to sharpen when it does need it.
    This pretty much sums up my requirements. 1095 is probably the one steel I have the most knives made of. Case CV is a pretty decent steel now that Schrade is no longer using 1095. Gerber and Buck use decent stainless, but Buck is one of those that takes a long time to sharpen once the factory edge is gone. The only time i really regretted 1095 was when i lived in Biloxi years back

  14. #34
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
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    Here are some pictures of my camping knife.

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

  15. #35
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    Really nice looking knife. I like the inlays.
    If a 41 won't stop it, I wouldn't bet my life on a 44.

  16. #36
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    I'm a custom knifemaker. I made the prototype for the Spyderco Waterway. I also designed and made the prototype for the Spyderco Province. Trying to pick just one steel is like trying to pick one gun. You wouldn't varmint hunt with a .460 Wby. and you wouldn't hunt Buffalo with a .22 LR. The main use for a particular knife will have a lot to do with the best steel for that application. When considering steels for an EDC/pocket knife, I prefer CPM-4V unless stainless is a necessity. If that is the case, I really like M390 or any of its variants such as 20 CV, CTS-204P.

  17. #37
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    Welcome to the CastBoolits Darrin. I really like the looks of that Waterway. Although the price is to rich for my blood, I'm sure it would be considered a top grade knife. I don't mind a lesser grade steel, at a lesser price. I'm ok with a little touch up, after usage of a lesser grade steel. I'm also ok with the lesser corrosion resistance, as I do take care of my blades with proper maintenance. Im sure the Waterway would be right at home in any marine conditions, either fresh or salt water. Thanks for sharing.
    If a 41 won't stop it, I wouldn't bet my life on a 44.

  18. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by littlejack View Post
    Welcome to the CastBoolits Darrin. I really like the looks of that Waterway. Although the price is to rich for my blood, I'm sure it would be considered a top grade knife. I don't mind a lesser grade steel, at a lesser price. I'm ok with a little touch up, after usage of a lesser grade steel. I'm also ok with the lesser corrosion resistance, as I do take care of my blades with proper maintenance. Im sure the Waterway would be right at home in any marine conditions, either fresh or salt water. Thanks for sharing.
    Thanks littlejack, the steel in the Waterway isn't a top edge holder. Its biggest asset is its corrosion resistance. It was formulated by NASA for that specific purpose and it does it very well. The designer (Lance Clinton) fishes daily in the Pacific ocean so corrosion is a must for him. He tells me that he uses it almost daily and washes it with salt water and it still doesn't have a speck on it. I agree that a version with a cheaper but still quality steel would be a great seller. Thanks for the welcome and if I can ever help with anything just let me know.

  19. #39
    Boolit Master


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    Thank you sir.
    If a 41 won't stop it, I wouldn't bet my life on a 44.

  20. #40
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    Quote Originally Posted by Darrin S View Post
    The main use for a particular knife will have a lot to do with the best steel for that application. When considering steels for an EDC/pocket knife, I prefer CPM-4V unless stainless is a necessity. If that is the case, I really like M390 or any of its variants such as 20 CV, CTS-204P.
    The CPM-4V is a really good alloy and I wish it was the steel in my Buck EDC. Toughness and edge retention are among the very good points. I keep the old 1970's era buck on my hip daily due to the decades I have carried it. I am sentimental. Darrin you are name dropping some top end steel alloys. Clearly you are in the know. Any of those above alloys would make into a very good blade.
    Chill Wills

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