What's your favorite blade steel?

[Spikedriver]

Just curious if y'all have preferences for what kind of steel your blades are made of? I, for one, never cared when I was younger, because I didn't know the difference from one to another. Only when I was about 25, did I start to learn. I used a small Buck folder at my job in a plastic molding factory. The plastic dulled knife edges in an instant, and the 420HC in that Buck could never be sharpened. Since then I've tried different steels and found what kinds I really like - Sandvik 14C28N, and AUS8. What do you all like, or do you think it even matters?

 

[SHOOTER13]

The Type of Material used to make a tool like a knife blade is very crucial to the success of the endeavor...

If I may Spike...I posted a Blade Material Reference Chart here:

http://www.talkfirearms.com/threads/blade-steel-reference-chart.348/

It will provide a point of reference when discussing blade material(s) and their properties.


.

 

[Lucian253]

CPM S30V
C: 1.45-1.46; W: 0.10-0.40; V: 4.00;
Cr: 14.00; Mo: 2.00; Mn: 0.50;
N: 0.10; P: 0.03; S: 0.03;
Si: 0.50;

Maker: Crucible - United States (US)
Tech: CPM

Notes:
Developed in 2001, by Crucible. Rare case of a steel designed as a cutlery steel. Several well known knife makers participated in the development/research including: Phil Wilson, Sal Glesser, Ernest Emerson, Tony Marfione, William Harsey Jr., Tom Mayo, Jerry Hossom, and Paul Bos, Chris Reeve. The result is a very good steel, although heat treating it properly was a problem initially. It isn't A2 class toughness as Knife Steel FAQ states, but still, quite tough and wear resistant for the stainless steel. Considered as one of the premium mainstream cutlery steels.

 

[Strycnine]

S30V