Ranking Every Pocket Knife Steel I Have Used
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- Опубліковано 13 січ 2023
- cedric-ada-store.creator-spri...
Good gravy its bricky on things
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docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... - Full steel testing list for my cut test videos, free to all.
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Steels to pursue feel free to add more below and I will try my best)
15V (hoping to nab a BBB PM2)
10V (only ever had one example)
M398
Terravantium
CPM REX T15 mule team coming out soon!
M398 with a custom heat treat(64hrc) has lasted longer than anything I've tried(outside of the carbide kitchen knive from Kase Knives). I haven't tried s125v(sold my 1 knife without much use) or 15v but it beats out 10v class, s110v, s90v, Elmax at 65hrc, maxamet, zdp 189(you didn't mention that one Pete) or anything else I can think of. I know it's toughness is low but it's a knife made for cutting and at that it excels. At 0.007 bte it's not to bad to sharpen either, about s90v/good elmax or m390 and easier than s110v or maxamet in my experience.
If you want me to send you a 15v Manix I’d be glad to do so.
I’m very excited to see your take on 15V. Especially given that spyderco did a collaboration on the heat treat.
BBB Rex 121 / Maxamet would be interesting.
I’m Polish and The best knife steel in world is The Tatamovich 990i , I make this steel myself with secret formula including high carbon , molybdenum and the skin of 9 polish sausage, it has a Sam Rockwell of 98 and I cut through titanium rope in seconds, it make your mangocut look like toy , I’m fully qualified metallurgist, and have degree in science,physics,chemistry,nuclear engineering,electronics,quantum mechanics,and sociology, but here in UK where I live I work in sausage packing factory, I’m best knife make in world , like betman.
Can you make me a knife? Only if you would, exchange the polish sausage for bacon? :)))))))))))
I’m really excited that you’re back into knives again. Love seeing these daily uploads coming at us. Awesome!
Don't turn a hobby into work and loss sucks.
Still don't enjoy playing video games. Bad to the bone gaming rig just collecting dust. Maybe today. Maybe.
I've enjoyed the S30V in my Osborne 940. It's just been a really good all-around steel, and my dad left when I was 3.
14C28N is really underrated, I like it's excellent toughness and corrosion resistance, it still holds an edge decently well and can take a screaming sharp one real fast.
I agree. I've developed quite a respect for it; IMO it's one of the best all-around choice for a blade steel, and it doesn't come at supersteel prices.
It is. Sandvik is one of the more unique companies that do things most don't
I had a hunting knife in 14c28n, great stuff, I could touch it up on ceramic quick to keep it screaming sharp while I was processing big game and you had to work hard to chip it. I liked it enough to buy a Kershaw leek which I carried for a long time and still do once and a while.
@@poonbandit9924 Sandvik is an interesting company that does more science than any other cause it's a material development not just steel. But yes it's. It works well IMO also.
Indeed....proper heat treatment is KEY!!!
One of the reasons that 14C28N got a 'bad rep' is that its very sensitive to being overheated and losing its temper that way!!! When Kershaw used to use a LOT of 14C28N the guys who were putting the belt sander edges on them were(MANY times) overheating the edge and killing the temper of the steel at the edge and once you got the knife in your hand, it COULD take a while to sharpen away the overheated, now poorly tempered steel and get back into GOOD 14C28N and get a GOOD edge on the blade!!! I collected Kershaws for 10+ years and EDC'd them and ran into this phenomenon many times...others did too and it was discussed, at times, on many forums and I read a post by some brilliant man who had posted on this phenomenon and I didn my own research and testing and he was RIGHT!!! I had a beautiful Kershaw that I wanted to EDC but the 14C28N just wasnt holding an edge for chit....so...i sharpened and sharpened and....wait a minute.....the steel is changing and getting HARDER and 0_o.....oi....got a great edge and it stayed sharp!!!! 14C28N edge retention issue figured out!!! I still rotate into my EDC an old, beat to hell, Bump in 14C28N
HEY! Your spreadsheet helped become more of a steel nerd. Thanks for making it. I really appreciate the different sharpeners and edge angles you included as well as the different averages and std devs. I still appreciate what you do, even it it was just babbling about low chromium v high vanadium trade-offs.
david the patron saint of steel data made that, hes an excel whiz
Increasing the nerd quotient worldwide!
Where can a copy of the spreadsheet be obtained?
@@Duncan8er There's a link to Pete's collection of knife spreadsheets in the description for this video. I believe it's the link with the word "spreadsheets" in the URL.
Gotta Say, I had the same experience.
The AUS8 That was used in my 1982 Kershaw Kai Japan 1050 is absolutely amazing. It's also my favorite knife, I can get it razer sharp and skin a deer really quick with it. Old AUS8 is something.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I LOVED this video. When you give a long list of steels and compare them to each other it HELPS greatly to put them in perspective. It makes shopping so much easier. I'll watch it again for sure.
I will always watch these as soon as I'm able. For what it's worth, I really appreciate them and I'm glad I can enjoy your work 👍
Great video! Lots of useful info. I've waited over two years for you to update your last steel ranking. I really appreciate the efforts that your putting in.
Pete, thank you so much for the videos you've been making. Especially this one. I know these are your preferences but you're also experienced using them. Your videos are such a help.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your extensive experience, tempered by your humility and good humor. You are a treasure to knife weirdos!
Your channel has consistently been my favorite knife related channel on UA-cam, Keep up the great work!! Can’t wait to see more!
I really liked this video! Informative, content covered all aspects of current steels available and your commentary flowed which made watching enjoyable. Imo, a perfect video! Thank you for all you do for the knife community!
It's so good to see you again. This is obviously not to pressure you into doing more knife stuff. Or anything you're not feeling at the time. I just always hope you can remember how many people enjoy and respect you......... regardless of topic, and at whatever pace you choose.
Great perspectives on knife steels. I like how you discussed how budget steels have their place along with the benefits of the more expensive steels. You have a nice well-balanced understanding of the knife world. Thank you!
Just love your videos. Nice, clean, funny AND TRUTHFULL. Keep doing what you do.
You are making my week with the content.
I'm always fond of seeing your videos. Thanks for all you've done for the community.
Your knife videos are great. I think your reasoning are spot on. This combined with your love for knives, knife steel and a great amusing personality makes it great. You seem like a good guy. Have a fun weekend!
What a great video. Thanks so much for taking the time Pete. Really. Cheers from America.
I can never hear too much about the variety of knife steels out there. Add to that your practical experience in using these makes this video a keeper.👍👍
Great video Pete, love your vids on ranking steels and knife company's. I made a playlist for them so I can use as a reference when knife shopping. It's very helpful and entertaining at the same time.
Was just thinking back to your tier ranking vid yesterday. What serendipity!
9:12 The sentence, "it draws the user's experience on the face of the blade," is oddly poetic. Now, where's my mustache comb and typewriter?
Got a Vanax blade on the way. It will be my first experience. I do like Magnacut quite a bit. Maybe my favorite, certainly top 5. One thing I noticed about Magnacut is how hair-splittingly sharp it can get, even on relatively thick blade stock. I got a Bark River in Magnacut that you can circumcize a gnat with.
Vanax is incredible, but unfortunately I think MagnaCut is going to suppress it's availability in the future.
@@tunahxushi4669 I love LC200N never tried Vanex but LC200N will also become obsolete with magnacut
I grew up with gnats, please castrate them instead.
Vanax and LC200N have better rust resistance than magnacut - as per Larrin Thomas himself (personal communication). That being said, Vanax is pricey, so LC200N will not fade out (yes Im making a bold prediction - we'll see, right?) And what of H1, probably the toughest of the 4 "rust proof"... but least in edge retention. This one will likely disappear. But I own all 4 and love this hobby!
@@DamionJR4923 - except maybe price. Maybe. It is hard to tell. I have seen models previously in 20CV that are now cheaper in Magnacut, the Hogue Dekka for example.
The steel Victorinox uses for Swiss Army knives is kind of soft, but I’ll say this for it: I’ve never seen a Victorinox pocket knife with even a speck of rust on it- even an old, obviously abused SAK.
Its also Super tough! Ive never had a danaged or broken tool on my saks. When on my Lethermans,I had both rust issues and broken or bent tools.
It’s possible. I have one laying in my bathroom. Just the nail nicks and a little spot. After eight years.
Yup heaps of chrome in them
SAKs are meant to be good quality tools, accessible to the masses, not for knife enthusiasts. The steel is fit for purpose. Sure they could go up a few notches but then so would the price. I own both super expensive japanese tamahagane steel knives and a bunch of SAKs...all serve their own purpose really well.
Ive never seen a lick of rust on a VG10 or SG2 kitchen knife either. Vg10 is 60-62hrc, SG2 is 62-64hrc.
A swiss army knife is a joke. From the toothpick to the tweezer... i used mine to trim weed for dubies until the TSA saw it on my keyring and made me toss it in the trash. None of the 4 people watching wanted the swiss army knife even though i offered it to people before the bin!
Bro, so happy you’re back to posting great content! So glad to have you back.
We as knife buyers/users/collectors & steel nerds are certainly spoiled these days. It's crazy how good these blade steels have become, and that we have so many options. It's a great time to be a knife person, and I love it so 😍
Great breakdown, Pete. Greatly appreciated! Have a great weekend over there.
You and others have driven many improvements to knives over the years. Much appreciated
I enjoyed that, thanks Pete, and thanks for your exceptional dedication to your investigatory endeavors in exploring the many different varieties of steel and the multitude of aspects of them, crazy stuff!
You definitely have a scientific vocation and empiricism is the name of the game in your methodology.
Well done and keep on cutting cobber!
And also cataloguing all the empirical findings he got. Thanks to Pete I "moved up" to D2 and AR-RPM9 when I decided to "get back into the hobby" after about 6 years of hiatus. Couldn't be happier with my knives now. Last time I was way into knives, 8cr13mov was the only option on a budget, can you imagine my face when I realized those investigatory endeavors show that we're nearing about 80% of s30v performance in the budget realm?😅
Still have a couple of 8cr's here and there though, even bought one recently (the design's just so beautiful and comfortable that I don't mind it) - the ease of maintenance is just second nature after being into the hobby for so long
Love these serious videos ! When I want to know about knife steels concerning use & sharpening I always re-watch your ranking videos. Must be extra rust - friendly down there. I live in high humidity southern U. S. & have no problems with D2 steel rusting. I do take care of my knives & make sure they are put away dry.
Spyderco Just had a new Reveal with BBB Heat treated 15V mules, a new mule in CPM T15 steel, and a new fixed blade in K390. That and the UK PK in magnacut. It looks like this year is going to be a steel Nerd’s delight.
I'm waiting for that manix lw in magnacut
@@ninemimesleft I want that one as well, I own too many Native 5’s to want another one. The Enuff 2 in K390 though, It’s taking a lot of will power to resist that one.
Thanks for putting in all of that hard work. It is much appreciated!
Thank you for taking your vast experience with these knife steels and distilling it down to this ranking. Gives us knife noob enthusiasts (who don't want to spend time researching) a better idea of what to throw away our money at! Thanks Pete!
So glad I clicked this link. Very informative. You made it very easy to understand. Well done.
N690 is just European VG10 for too much money.
AEB-L was originally the steel used in replaceable shaving razor blades so it works best thin and polished edges.
Glad to see you back on the daily upload grind. I wanna start a knife youtube channel since there are so few channels that focus on the rare or larger (4" blade folders) but living vicariously through you and Advanced knife bro will have to do.
My current favorite steel is LC200N. Edge retention on par with S30V, pretty easy to sharpen, surprisingly tough, and literally doesn’t rust. Living next to coast and being around salt water, I think it’s damn near the perfect steel for me.
I got into neck knives. My first one would rust too easily just from my outdoor walks and sweating. Daily oiling and still got rust. So I got a Kydex sheath that fits the Spyderco H1 Dragonfly 2 to be used as a neck knife. Worked out great. Never took it off even for showering. Concealed super easily. Then I saw the Spyderco Subway Bowie in lc200n and got it because I still wanted a fixed blade for a neck knife and that fit the bill. H1 is nice but the lc200n from what I read and see so far, is such a nice steel for edge retention and NO rust.
Excited to hear what you think about Magnacut
You might want to check out Magnacut.
well done finally im beginning to get it when it comes to steals I also have the TPROF RETIRED micro surgeon I’m glad you explained surgical steel. of course we’ve always known that.
I've been extremely impressed with Magnacut. For a steel that was hyped over the moon it didn't seem possible that it would live up to said hype but it managed to. It's great that you can find it on fairly budget tier knives. 140 USD for a Hogue Deka with Magnacut, you cannot ask for a better EDC deal. Great steel you don't need to be afraid of beating on.
Good to see you're loving Magnacut. I'm wanting a Deka but I've been worried about the steel. Sounds too good to be true. I got suckered into buying a Spyderco Endura in ZDP-189 14-15 years ago that was out of my budget and it chipped all to hell and was nearly impossible to sharpen. Never had a problem with good old AUS-8 or 8Cr13MoV.
@@RyanWaldroopAUS-8 is a sleeper for sure. Love the feel that steel takes especially on a lower grit
I'm LOVING the deka in magnacut... It addressed all my issues with the bugout.
Great vid.
Always appreciate your views and experience with these steel's.
Thanks for what you do
... these steels* (plural, no apstrophe)
Excellent job! I appreciate the effort you put into testing and in forming your own opinions.
Love this. You singlehandedly got me into knife steels and it's been so fun.
Thanks Pete! I really love your tier lists. Always use them befor buying a knife!
After being a knife snob for years I realized none of the steels mattered when you actually use your knives like I do.
I sold my entire collection off (except 4 BMs and a spyderco shamen) and buy the cheap BM knock offs...now I don't give a crap if I lose them, scratch them, chip the edge or just break them. It's like weighs been lifted off my shoulders.
theres a fun thought experiment that goes a bit like “if someone changed all your blades to vg10 without you being able to physically notice, how soon would you notice from usual wear and tear”. Even I would be a while I would
think outside of cuttin rope ☺️
@@CedricAda agreed 110%.
I had a similar epiphany with fishing gear!
Thanks for all the work that went into this video!
Best general steel info video I’ve seen. Really appreciated.
👏👏👏👏 Second time I watch, and won't be the last. Thank you for all your testing, experience and honesty Pete, something that it's less and less common these days. Great video.👏👍🔥👌
Never been more bored in my life. Ok. Everything else besides knives bores me even more. Love this guy and his efforts. Have to download his spread sheet.
I've never heard such a good description of knife steels as you just presented in this video. This is one for my playlist. Very informative and entertaining for a knife super nerd like me. Thank you sir🎉
Long time subscriber, Infrequent commenter here. I appreciate the updated steel ‘rating’ list as newer knife steels such as MagnaCut has been introduced into the knife world - I look forward to your videos Pete. ✌️
Your list convinced me to pick up the new CPM-SPY27 mule from Spyderco $60 USD. Thanks again for your informative and entertaining videos!
Seeing a video you've made always makes my day, Pete. I'll be as excited if/when you review one of the Spyderco BBB 15v sprints as I will be if I manage to snag one myself.
My own sharpening experience with maxamet is quite different than yours- I have found sharpening it (gasp) pleasant, but I have only attempted it with diamond abrasives. I've also been exposed to all the horror stories surrounding maxamet and the sharpening thereof, so I was a bit apprehensive with my N5 lightweight when it came to resharpening it but it took a keen edge much more easily than I had expected it to. I like that spyderco selected grey handles for their maxamet knives, it matches the patina quite nicely.
I love the k390 stretch 2. I have a definite fondness for non-stainless high carbon tool steels.
You are absolutely right about the proliferation of *excellent* knife steels.
To my knowledge, 440C was the first steel developed specifically as a blade steel, and was high end for most of the 20th century. I agree that complaining that a knife is S35VN is a testament to how fortunate we are that the steel industry is robust and specialized enough that what would have (and is still if you consider the tonnage of structural steel manufactured annually) been considered an extremely niche market steel is in sufficient supply that it loses it's lustre to nerds like us. I've also been surprised at the amount of knives being released in M390/20CV/204P recently, and also think it will be interesting to see which alloy becomes "the new 440C"
I'm also thinking it will most likely be magnacut. I got my dad a hogue deka 2 in magnacut and he loves it. I'm lukewarm on magnacut; I don't place much value on stainlessness and there are other steels that do everything else magnacut does, but better.
So glad you made a video like this! Not that the consensus information isn’t available out there if you dig for it, but I’d have loved to stumble across this video years ago when I first took an interest in knives. I think the more widely this information becomes available, the more big name knife makers will feel compelled to upgrade their steel choices.
I find s90v to be the perfect steel. Very tough, can get insanely sharp, holds an edge for a long time, very corrosion resistant, and relatively cheap($140 for a pm3)
What I have found with S90V is when the blade FEELS not sharp , it will still cut !
Yeah, I dig it too, my experience with it being in Benchmades. I absolutely prefer it to the M390/20CV steels, only in corrosion resistance does it suffer compared to M390. It’s just as tough, not really any more difficult to sharpen, but holds an edge noticeably longer. It’s almost like a stainless K390 or 10V.
I truly value your opinion and input. Thanks for the great vids full of useful information. Much appreciated 🙏.
Very professional and informative video. Amazing work!
Excellent video. VERY educational! This is the kind of video that I like watching from time to time. I'm somewhat of a newbie and need all the "correct" info I can get my hands on! Again, great video and thanks for posting it!!!
Very comprehensive, very enjoyable. Thanks.
Good rundown... 20CV has taken the spot as my favorite edc knife steel. Just an all around great steel.
Thanks for sharing your list. Awesome!
Just ordered a Jesper Voxnaes designed MKM Eclipse and I'm so excited to get it! It comes with the Magnacut steel! Great video! Very informative and enjoyable to sit back and relax to. Thanks!
I am almost always sharpening while I run your movies. Thank you so so much for all of your hard work
I love these videos. Always curious to hear the perspective of someone who actually uses their knives, because I certainly do not have your skills. Also loved the double tracked Elmax bit. Made me laugh. Probably not intentional, but that’s what makes it funny.
Hey there, hope you're doing well! Happy you're making content again
Wow, the ultimate blade steel nerd vid and data! Congrats on compiling all this data.
Oh boy, hands down this is the most comprehensive guide on steel types.
One year ago I didn't know anything about knives and asked a friend to recommend me a nice EDC. He recommended a few and I ordered CS Ultimate Hunter. Later on I found out why I paid it so low :D it was replica. Fortunately my first knife (although a knock-off) lit the fire and I started reading and digging more and more. Soon got overwhelmed by the many types of blade shapes, grinds, locks and steel types. Why the hell one blade costs 100$ and another one - 500...
Your channel helped me tremendously in understanding the basics. The information in this video is a gem! Easy ti understand.
Now I know which steels to avoid, which will break my bank, and which steel I would like for my next knife.
Looking for my first decent budget EDC to replace the fake Ultimate Hunter and stopped on Civivi Brazen in 14C28.
Really excellent and comprehensive review. In my opinion the time you’ve invested in content is NEXT LEVEL without deeply diving into the hard science of metallurgy, and putting most viewers in a coma.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Rex 121 if you’ve had some experience with it…, and thanks very much.
Thanks! so well done!!
I know what sharp is as a re
tired neurosurgical micro surgeon
wouldn’t be unusual for me to have the scrub nurse change the scalpel blade two or three times
Thanks so much Pete!
Your list and the ones from Dr. Larrin (Mr. Magnacut) Thomas, are my reference lists for making the right steel choice on a particular fixed or folding blade purchase.
Your rope cutting numbers, rust tests, and sharpening notes, are truly handy!
Platinum standard!💯%
Great video. Please keep making high-quality content.
Very thorough run down Pete, good stuff mate 👍🏽
Again thank you for your information and breaking it down. I’ve used your page to purchase quite a few good steels.
Thanks Pete, that's a nice "breakdown" for these steels
Thank you for doing this video,I have a hard time keeping up with the quality steels and the names and numbers,I saved this for me to reference back to bc I don’t remember to well anymore
You are very knowledgeable, I can’t believe the number of steels put together now days. I my day 440c and then season the blades. I still have knives out of it and they hold an edge and most will shave, pocket knives. Sometimes to many choices can drive you away. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Keep it up.
Very good run-down Pete, ThankYou
Having said that I hardly care anymore, I have all these steels except Cru wear and Magna-cut.
I’ve been more into the tool use lately even in AUS10. Deploy,Task,than back to pocket.
Thank you for a grand wealth of information. It was done very well and made very easy to understand
Excellent video, very indepth and thoughtful approach. I'm still in the amateur category, but I am here to stay. I enjoy 14C28N because i'm practicing sharpening and you can get a pretty serious edge going fairly quickly. I will graduate to higher grade steels once I've mastered assembly, disassembly, sharpening and lubrication of my current batch of pocket knives.
Goddammit, I would wish the traditional knives would be made in those high end steels, that take a patina. A GEC in K390 🤩❤
Like a Yellow Rose in k390. Damn. I'm dreaming right now🤗
THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!
So, good and informed.
32:40 I still have my Delica in ZDP189, with British racing Green handles/scales. I bought it during my short foray into steel nerdism.
This is a very nicely presented coverage of many varied steels. You very likely listed something for everyone. In the late seventies, D2 was the undisputed king, when you talked long run blanking dies. How times change, as technology marches on.
This one came up while I was sharpening chef’s knives for a customer!
Great video! The green screen showing up on the green knives was cracking me up 🤣
154cm, cpm-154, s30v s35vn s45vn triplets, cpm-cruwear, cpm-m4 are by far my favorite steels. I haven't had much experience with Cpm-Magnacut yet, but if it's all its said to be it will be a great one as well.
thanks pete really enjoyed,appreciate your taking the time.atb paddy
I had a commercial knife sharpening business. The top chefs knives were VG10 , most 5cr.They all worked well. Heat treat, geometry, edge maintenance. My favorite is a Sabatier in 1075.
Nice rundown. Would have been helpful to have the steel listed on screen as it's being discussed, also the number of rope cuts, the brand of knife (and their reputation heat treating that steel), and HRC. As far as D2 rusting, I have 5 budget knives in it, and never had a rust problem. I haven't coated the blades. They are not heavily used though, and I do live in New Mexico. I don't think I will be buying anymore knives unless something really grabs me design wise, and is in a better steel like 14c28n or Magnacut perhaps.
Thanks , cleared many issues that really confused me. Looking forward to have more info about 15V, Rex76 and M398.
Pete likes knives again!
Good days for the community!
Great content! Thank for your deep dive!!!
440B isn't so bad itself, very similar to 8cr/9cr or AUS8. I think the problem is that is that it tends to be used by older European and American makers who are behind the curve on heat treatment and grinds, whereas AUS8 is used by Japanese makers and 8cr/9cr by Chinese makers, so they tend to be better implemented.
9cr is literally an exact chemical equivalent of 440c
Simply the best review of steels.
Always enjoy your content 👍🏻
I see alot of people afraid of buying premium steels then buys $400 worth of nick nack steel
I love this video and use it as a valuable resource
On CCE we focus almost exclusively on budget knives, and your "2 steels" (you mentioned several actually), are pretty much exactly where I stand on the steels that I would never buy. For knife newbies the 8Cr13/14 types of steel, I would suggest, are indeed still acceptable, but they are at the bottom of the list of what is acceptable especially since there are a lot of better steels that don't cost any more and are very common. The end of the age of the 8CR13/14 will be gone in just a few years I would think.
Very interesting and informative. Well worth rewatching.
Great work, Pete! This knife steel video was not boring, it was,... riveting!