Top 5 knife steels of all time. What did I go with and why?
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- čas přidán 23. 05. 2021
- Top 5 knife steels of all time. What did I go with and why? This is my top 5 knife steels that's been the most requested subject for a video. What would your top 5 list look like?
Outpost 76 Patreon
Contact me at gdniel@yahoo.com
As always I appreciate your time and thanks for watching.
Love k390, wish more companies would use it, i think i might also do this video 👍
Definitely would love for you to do your top 5👌
I'd love to see more K390 and your video.
@@Outpost_76 I just got a k390 para 3 bento box exclusive. It was kinda high but I just don't like the frn versions. They are still in stock but the para 2s in k390 are sold out.
What about M390 steel is that similar?
@@frankmontez6853 m390 is more stain resistant than k390, so k390 would have better edge retention but lower corrosion resistance. Imo k390 is superior but that's imho, m390 might be considered a more rounded steel but it's also not heat treated as well as it should be from most companies.
For the average user aus8 or aus10a. Easy maintenance like cts xhp and s35vn are great for mostly all edc tasks. I use my Cold Steel Recon 1 cts xhp hollow grind for edc and bushcraft, probably my best all around folder
Gerald.. Where ya been man? The knife community needs you! You've always been a huge asset to the community. I hope you're doing good. Take it easy.
14c28n, s35vn, 3v, cruwear, magnacut. Some amount of stainlessness is good living in a humid area. And I value toughness for woodworking
Love the videos. I also enjoy reading all the comments.
Thank you
Excellent video. I would love to see a similar video with your favorite budget (or maybe non-powder) steels too.
Thanks and that's one I may do.
Great idea for a video, thank you 👍🤘🤘
You're welcome
Gr8 vid mate... interesting results... thankyou... been looking forward to this for a long time....lol... 🍻👊👍
Thanks
Loved your review. I have to say that my now go to steel for folding knives is Cruwear. It stays sharp and is easy to sharpen and takes a pretty good beating in the tough department. For my bush craft it’s 3V. I have a Bark River Bravo 1.25 in 3V and after a hard weekend use strops back like a champ.
K390 is wicked good. I have the Spyderco police 4 in k390 and it's my 2nd favorite knife right now. The manix 2 s110v is #1. I like the manix ergos a lot
Great list Gerald. All are fantastic steels. My list is as follows, not far off at all.
1. K390
2. Rex 45
3. Maxamet
4. 4v
5. S90v
I’ll throw in XHP as an honorable mention too for the stainless class and of course I love my Z-wear.
rex45 is imo shit choice for knife steel and make zero sense to use. m4 is better in every way and by far. cobalt steels suck for knives.
Love me some k390, cruwear and Vanax. Thanks for the video 👍👍
You're welcome
I only started collecting in March this year and my collection is more about variety at the moment. Currently have knives in AUS 8, 8cr13mov, D2, 20CV, VG10 Damascus, S90V, S30V, LC200n, s45vn, CPM-154, S35VN, and CPM-M4. If I had to choose three steels from the collection, I'd probably go with s90v, 20cv, and either S30v or s45vn. I recently added m4 to my collection so I'm interested in seeing how it performs.
Great choices! My go to Spyderco’s are a “Cru-Carta” PM2 in Cruwear, Endura 4 in ZDP-189 and my newest Manix 2 mint blade hq model in M4. They’re all wearing Homeslices dual grit edge that I put on and are insanely sharp and have incredible bite. They’re the three best steels I have. I have a link in 20CV and an ultratech in M390 but after your videos and others I’ve sadly realized they’re junk versions of those steels and not heat treated for crap. That’s why I’m just sticking with Spyderco from now on. Next up is either the purple DLT Cruwear PM2 or the Stretch 2 in K390. Probably the Cruwear PM2 because the K390 Stretch isn’t really in any danger of being sold out and no longer available so I’ll just get that later.
Ever get the stretch in K 390? I’m thinking of that exact knife. I’ve got a Native 5 Magnacut, but looking at a nice large slicier blade option.
Cruwear, XHP, CPM-154, Maxamet & S90V if I had to choose 5. Good vid G!
Good 5 Kurt, glad to see you around. I thought about XHP for the list, it's definitely up there too.
Thanks for the video. I understand the choices, edge retention, toughness and fine edge. I agree with four of them but personally my list would be S90V, Maxamet, LC200N, Vanex, Cru-Wear and K390. The LC200N and Vanex for high salt / special use situations.
I haven't used Vanax enough to put in to my list. I do have a good amount of use with LC200N and maybe I need to get my own and do a longer term carry but currently I just don't like it.
I live in Hawaii , I love my LC200N spydiechef and Vanax SPK shark.
K390. I have to agree with you 👍. ZDP 189 is a great steel. Thanks for the video 😎👍
Sharpest blades I’ve ever had have all been in ZDP-189, also cut my finger real good with it as well..👍
ZDP is one I considered putting on this list.
CruWear,VANAX and MagnaCut are my top 3.
ELMAX and 3V not far behind
That’s a good top 5. I been edc k390 endela for some time now. It never needs sharpening
I need one of those!
I wish they did a Para3 in K390. Right now I only have their small Urban in K390.
My top two are easily cruwear and k390. Things get a bit fuzzy after that.
I *really* like BD1N and 9CR when they’re done well...but I think my list is tainted by the fact that I legitimately enjoy freehand sharpening. I like steels that will quickly give you a freakish edge on any stone you have lying around. K390 is the only high vanadium steel I’ve found (so far...) with that characteristic. I use diamond with it anyway but I’ll tell you...I finished my k390 endela on a .44 micron shapton and it’s remained goofy sharp ever since. I might try giving my endura that treatment just to see what happens.
YES K390 is My Favorite 😍👌
Rex45, M4, M390/20cv, k390, and believe it or not good old s30v. Hard to leave out Zmax, Cruwear, and 4v
Nice list; very much like mine except I have no 4V :(
For me K390 & Cruwear also battle for the top two spots. My kingdom for a Cruwear Endura!
I really like S35VN and 20CV. Even 14c28n is great. A well heat treated D2 isn’t bad either.
I have a DULO DBK bushcrafter in K390. I've skinned two deer and a hog and still pops hair. Also have a DULO PUKKO (Laminated) in K390. Skinned a huge buck hitting bone, cutting muscle and tendon. Again, still hair poppin sharp. I am in agreement, K390 kicks ass.
Cruwear, K390, M4, Rex45, S90V. I've no experience with Maxamet yet, and very little with 4V, so that could change in the future. I like Cruwear, 3V and A2 for fixed blades. For budget blades, 14C28N.
Oh yeah A2 is so underrated. I love it
@@jkanecutlery I agree! It seems everyone wants the 3V nowadays, but A2 is a damn good steel. Tough as all hell, holds an edge pretty long, and although definitely not stainless, it is easier to care for than something like O1.
I have a 5mm thick 4 inch fixed scandy blade in K390 at around 64hrc. It has split knotted wood without even losing sharpness. I have also seen examples where edge to edge similar knives
in k390 cut through other knives without anything other than a minor reflexion on the edge
Don't know if you'll see this it being an older video, but new subscriber here. I watched this one first to get an idea of where you're at. My favorites are Cru, K390, and Superblue, so I was in! Lol. Looking forward to checking out more of your content.
Thanks, I appreciate it.
Heck yeah super blue! They’re sort of rare but I’m sure you’d love the sg2/ v-toku 2 spydies. I have the 52100 pm2 and it’s like the perfect knife
@@lindboknifeandtool I have the V Toku Stretch and Endura. Also the HAP 40 laminate Stretch and Endura.
Enjoyed
Thank you
Thank you
Solid choices right there. I would have to leave out cruwear, 4V, and seki k390 for the fact I have only used 1 sample from that steel. Golden k390 isnt on the same level as.the seki stuff. And repeatability is just as important to me as accessibility. I know knifecenter has that 4V sheepdog exclusive but it might be the mini.
I'd love to see a full Golden Cruwear option as standard production on all the models. The Seki K390 is worth getting since it's done so well, you would appreciate it.
@@Outpost_76 the micarta cruwear pm2 might be the starting point. Full linered pm2s might improve the overall balance, however I'd rather have cruwear on the para 3 instead. Cpm MagnaCut is being explored right now and that steel looks promising. Almost like an upgraded cruwear/vascowear but with enough chromium in solution to be truly stainless.
For me it would be m4, s90v, 15v, 4v, k390 would be my #5 thru #1. 15v filled the space maxamet used to hold and bumped it off the top 5, it does everything maxamet does yet it comes up stickier and it responds to a diamond or cbn strop incredibly well. Seki k390 just has it dialed in tho I will say golden 10v gives it a run for it's money as number 1 but beings seki is normal production and 10v only pops up rarely I gotta give it to k390. The couple pieces of golden done 10v I own are incredible on the stones and in use, I have really fallen in love with that stuff! The steel I carry the most as of the past 2 years has without a doubt been s90v, it's just a steel that performs absolutely fantastic for my needs in a knife. I love the aggression that the edge holds for a crazy long time and being in Florida I don't have to worry about corrosion. S90v lil native or native 5 is probably my single two most carried knives. Plus the knife that is literally my everyday carry and is in my purse 100% of the time is my s90v triangle tools opinel number 8 lol, no knife I own has seen even 1/10th as much use as that s90v opinel. That thing is so good I bought a #10 from them as well. S90v both poked in the mid 62s rc and they just cut forever. The #10 hasn't seen a ton of use but I have cut tested it, the number 8 sees a ton of use and with the geometry of that thin little #8 profile blade it just cuts and cuts and cuts some more. Every body should own one of the triangle tools opinel #8s or 10s in s90v, best 100 and 110 dollars I've ever spent was one those 2 knives.
Top 5... Manix2 maxamet... K390 police... M390 pm2... 3v warcraft cold steel... M4 shaman 😉
I wonder why absolutely nobody talks today about ZDP 189 and yes, I have Spyderco's K390 blades and other steels like CPM 20CV, CPM S90V and S110V, Maxamet... to compare with but I love those first. My most usual EDC is a Delica and in my keyring there is always a Manbug, both in ZDP 189.
Id be content with D2, 154 CM, 3V, M4 and Maxamet.
Our lists are very much the same, althougjh I've yet to experience Cruwear or Maxamet, which I am inclined to seek now. So in the place of Cruwear, I'll put XHP and Maxamet can be substituted with Vanadis 4E.
Ohhh man I have the K390 enuff2 fixed blade and WOWWW was I ever to put an edge on that thing! Like super scary if you even look at it itll cut you lmao
I lost my s90v milie fishing. I miss it. I live in Florida, it will stain saltwater fishing but it wipes off when you get back. My fishing trips are 2 days on the water (camp on the beach) in a 16 foot boat so fairly rough on a knife as far as corrosion is concerned. I curently own a k390 endura, rex45 pm2 , cruwear military, m4 contega, 710 d2, assorted 14 28n, 13c26, 12c27 off the top of my head. I obviously agree on the k390,cruwear, and s90v ,m4 being top tier. My favorite though is the rex 45 then k390 , cruwear, m4. The m4 is below my corrosion resistance threshold, rex 45 will hold a more acute angle than k390 by a large margin, harder than cruwear. It seems to make full use of every element. I'm obviously splitting hairs here:) but that is my ranking. I respect Larrin Thomas's work but rex45 is a much, much better steel than his testing would indicate. Geometry is king.( with some vanadium )
My top is k390, cruwear, xhp, lc200n, and psf27
LC200N is my current favorite. If I could sharpen better it might be something else. Stainless matters to me.
Magnacut
I also find Maxamet easy to sharpen. My PM2 Maxamet holds an edge better than the Sage 1 Maxamet.
My K390 para 3 rolled hard in the first 10 feet of cardboard on the factory edge I sharpened it and cut 60 feet and it held a straight edge but was dull.
My S90V native chief is holding an edge against its first 60 feet of cardboard
K390, M4, Cruwear for folders, AEB-L, 80crv2 for fixed blades
Any AEB-L fixed blade models you recommend (survival type)?
Do you have survival knives in AEB-L and/or 80CrV2?
Solid choices.
Cruware, for thick & thin... & it does "swim" nicely
I just ordered the pm2 in s90v
CPM Cruwear/Z-Wear (both are identical) used to be my favorite steel, until MagnaCut, which is probably my new favorite. It's Cruwear but even more corrosion resistance!
I hope Spyderco starts using Magnacut. Larrin Thomas is a genius. What kind of knife do you have in MC?
I'm definitely going to try it out and see how it is.
@@rctrue It's a Puukko. I just got my hands on the steel a couple weeks ago, so I've only had the time to make one knife thus far. I gave it a 28 degree scandi bevel, but my next one I think I will try 20 degrees (Probably saber grind.) and see how it performs. I'm not a fan of the high vanadium carbide/high edge retention steels because I feel you need more toughness at low edge angles, and a low edge angle stays sharper longer, which is why I love CPM Cruwear so much - It's like the goldilocks zone of steel IMO! :D
Damn I had wondered how well Manly did their S90V heat treating and how hard they ran em but never would I have guessed so low... Still very inexpensive knives with great performance and Uber thin bte grinds
In my experience it's gotta be k390 and s45vn. My k390 endura is a knife I'll die with. And my s45vn paramilitary, i literally used all day, everyday at work for almost a year before i had to touch it.
my top 5 would be s30v, xhp, rex45, cruwear, k390 in that order
My take away from this video is that I need more knives. I have CTS XTP, S35VN and bit of knife envy. Nice collection. Have sharpened those yourself? The edges looks really good!
Thank you, yes u sharpen everything myself.
S90V, 20CV, CPM154, S30V, 4V which would be #3 on my list if not because of it's not stainless.
🤘🏼
M390, Lc200N, Spy27, 3V, BD1N are my favorites for different reasons.
3v vs 4v is a tough one
@@rctrue definitely
Have you gotten any chance to use/test S125V?
S90V, Elmax & 4v are among my favorite steels so I'm pretty curious about s125v
In no order maxamet, spyderco m390, k390, XHP, s90v, 10V and 3cr13🙀. That’s my top 5!
Cruwear, M4, 3V, K390, CTS-XHP for me
Nice informative video, thank you. What is your view on CPM M4?
I'm going to do a video on just tool steels and I'll cover it there. I do enjoy M4 but there are many I'd prefer over it.
When you get your hands on some Spyderco BBB 15V you will have it in your top 5 and possibly in the #1 spot lol
Great vid Gerald, enjoyed it a whole lot. By the way how did the moving go?
Thanks and I'm still working on getting everything done so we can move.
Pretty cool how he holds all the knives with his foot
It took a lot of work to make that happen.
ty
You're welcome
You've named my favorites but missed tripleB or Shawn Houston/spyderco 15V! I now own all 3 the mniaz2, the PM2 and the Shaman in 15V at 65.5+
Right now being hard to get K390 is still at the top of easily available steels for me. If I put in hard to get steels Roman's S390 would probably be at the top for me.
Another question.... what's your thoughts on s110v and why do you think it's not as highly regarded as s90v if it's supposed to be the " king of stainless "?
I just don’t think enough companies use it honestly. Why? Idk. I think it’s a slight improvement over the S90V in edge retention and stainless but in my experience they are very close.
That shiro is sweet
Thanks, it is an awesome knife.
Where would you place magnacut ? Thx in advance
If you had to choose between cruwear and z wear what would you choose? I feel z wear is better due to the stainless aspect and has the same edge retention and toughness as cruwear. Also do you like nitro v at all due to it being tougher than cruwear? Thanks
Z Wear and Cruwear are analogs, I haven't seen any noticeable difference between them when heat treated similar. I may cover Nitro V some more in a later video.
EDIT: I actually do have one specific question to ask - where would Rex 45 fit in here? I know you mentioned in the past that it was becoming a favorite steel of yours, but I am wondering whether you could follow up on that a bit. Thank you.
Videos like these are really feeding the trolls inside our heads :) I do wish we would get k390, 4V or Cruwear in more production models from Spyderco. The PM2 coming out later this year definitely goes in the right direction, I guess that we just need to be patient (and keep bugging Sal about it :p ). I would love to get my hands on 4V or k390 Para 3, but those are unobtanium unfortunately (and I foolishly sold Para 3 in Cruwear).
Rex 45 is by far the steel that blew me away the most last year. Simply incredible steel. That crucarta Pm2 is gonna be incredible too, wouldn't mind it in a Para3 also.
I'm still undecided on Rex 45. I have more than enough of it so its going to be a long term carry soon, long as in a few months to get a really good idea on where I stand on it.
@@Outpost_76 Awesome. I will be looking forward to a video on this matter :)
Have you tested any Kizer 4V or 10V the 10V Maverick is only 80 bucks at BladeHQ and I love mine super thin blade grind!
The Kizer 4V did about what 4V should do. I've hardness tested a few Kizer 10V for people and the hardest one was a 60.2 average of 5 tests. The one I have to do a video on now is also soft, in sharpening it feels like a cheap stainless. In use the edge takes damage and degrades quickly. I'll know soon, it's one I'm working on now.
8:07 that little bowie is sweet!
Yes it is, John did a killer job on it.
I have discovered over time that a steel is only as good as it’s heat treat.
For instance, AEB-L is a snoozer right? But, when LT Wright hardens it to a degree that it takes an hour to put an edge on it with diamond stones, suddenly this AEB-L makes my Canadian belt knife the ultimate edge retaining skinner.
440-HC is a “who cares” steel now-a-days. But Buck knives has its heat treat down to a science making my Buck 110 Hunter a bullet proof skinner requiring a simple strop from time to time.
154CM is an average steel as I understand the internet comments. But put it in a custom skinner from a custom maker and you’ll have a knife whose edge lasts and lasts.
While not made anymore Roman's custom Nitrrobe 77 cut as much as good S90V. I have more custom heat treat testing coming. Some basic ones like CPM154, AEB-L and some higher end steels. Custom heat treated steel is hard to beat, it gives a chance to see what a steel is really capable of. I think too many sleep on 154cm, even not optimized its still a solid user steel today.
Production companies ruined the names of steels to us. Your point about AEB-L is so right.
M4 and Maxamet. Use Sentry Solutions Marine Tough Cloth. You will be happy.......
Interesting to learn from those with more experience than myself...Thanks. My Spyderco Police K390 looks nasty compared to yours...keep it away from acidic foods...lol. I’ve been impressed by K390, Cruware, XHP, M4 and one particular knife in D2 for there ability to take and hold a fine edge. Truly disappointed in most of my S35vn and M390/20cv blades...
You have definitely pointed me in the right direction more than once...
not sure how his is so clean.. i have been very careful but especially around the spydiehole it is just impossible to keep from oxidizing
You're welcome and I do enjoy XHP and M4 as well.
@@patrickg8744 I don't use it on food and my hands have not caused discoloration on any non stainless blades I've had. Could be any number of reasons why since if I back pocket carry and sweat gets on them they will show spotting and discoloration.
My top 5 :S35vn (on my Native5), s45vn (PM2), ZDP189(Endura), M390 ( Hogue RSK), REX45 (Manix 2 LWT). I am waiting for Stretch K390 . Definitiv not a fan of S110V.
K390 is king, such a bad ass steel. If you like Rex and ZDP you'll really enjoy K390.
I made the mistake of buying k390 first, ruined other steels for me.
Always interested in this opinion. Always referenced before I buy.
What is the s90v model after the orange manix? Had a backlock
Manly Knives Peak in S90V
How would s110v and s45vn come into play with this list?
They would be much further down. S45VN could possibly be at #10. S110V definitely doesn't make it above #10.
my favorite steel by far is BD1N. Just an incredibly balanced steel in all elements; edge retention, toughness, stainlessness, ease of sharpening AND price and availability
It's a solid steel for a good price.
Rocks for kitchen knives. I had been gifted some of them, now own a bunch, even the small cheap spyderco BD1N kitchen knives are fantastic. Super easy to sharpen and strop.
Who makes the shark fixed blade you have in k390 in this video?
Alex Stiengraber, you can find him on Instagram.
S90, m4, cruwear, s30, maxamet is my guess, in that order; before I watch. Will see in 30 minutes if I'm correct.
I missed the K390, should have called it. Surprised by the 4v. I'll pay more attention to it. Dam @tom Hosang as his praise for M4 influenced that pick. I was hoping you would put in s110 or d2 just to piss off the Leprechaun!😃 Thanks for your videos!
@@timothybecker8605 I'm not against M4, I just like some other steels much better. I may expand the list to 10 at some point.
@@Outpost_76 I know that! Just having some fun! My guesses, you know alot more than I
What about M4, not easy to sharpen enough, or lower corrosion resistance? I would put M4 in top 5… but also N690 for ease of general use …
M4 would be below some others that didn't make it here. Rex 45 would be above it for example.
strength is different from toughness. harder steel is stronger. also with that k390. maybe one day sc will actually do something interest and laminate it with 14c28n or something like that.
My top 5 steels (and yes I own and have regularly used just about every popular high speed tool that’s currently popular such as Maxamet, M390, Cruwear, M4, K390, etc…):
1) 154 CPM
2) 154 CPM
3) 154 CPM
4) 154 CPM
5) 154 CPM
What do you do to make all your g10 manix 2's so smooth and easy to disengage? Nice list, I only have rex 45 and 154cm both of which I like.
You can cut a few loops off the spring, or pull the lock back and put a bar in there to hold it open and leave it in overnight. I used the shaft of a Dremel bit. Not nearly as dramatic as cutting the spring, but it may be all you need, and if you want it softer then you can start cutting small amounts until you get it where you want it.
@@CNYKnifeNerd wicked thanks, I tried the dowel thing and made a difference maybe if I leave it longer. Thanks might look into cutting it later down the road.
@@55gopi I leave the factory spring and ball as is. I disassemble, polish the washers lightly with 1 micron diamond paste on cow hide. During reassembly I loosely put all the screws back in then tighten the 4 smaller ones first then adjust the pivot for no side play while almost dropping free. Add a drop or 2 of oil and use it for a week or so and you get a smooth knife with no side to side play. I've had a Manix so long the factory spring no longer feels strong to me. If you want to try a soft spring and ceramic lock ball email me and I'll send you the pair.
All great steels. Can't go wrong with any of them. Great to be a knife user these days. My top 5 would change depending on usage. From my limited EDC tasks:
5. M390 (old faithful)
4. 20cv
3. S90v
2. Maxamet
1. K390
Any opinions on Elmax? Picked up Bradford G Necker...Thanks
Done well Elmax is a great steel. Even done ok it outperforms most of the M390 and 20CV out right now. That ZT Elmax was mid 60 rc and dis about 240 feet or so if I remember correctly.
@@Outpost_76 Thank you for your response.
Just got my bento box exclusive para 3 in k390 because you and Jared at Neve's knives both spoke so highly of it, and I don't care for any of the frn models. One quick question though, have you tested 10V steel like the REC exclusive Para 3 had? I'm curious if it stacks up favorably with K390 since you spoke highly of 4V. I also got a 204P domino exclusive from bento box. I was so happy to finally get my hands on a domino to keep my manix 2 company
The Golden K390 and 10V were so close they wouldn't be distinguishable during use. My K390 Para 3 reminds me of Cruwear, it cuts about the same amount and strops back just as nice. No it isn't like the Seki K390 but it's a solid user and I enjoy mine. 4V is a different animal than 10V, I'll show all this more as the year goes on. I'm sad I missed out since I waited too long to grab a K390 PM2.
If you go back in my videos there is a head to head of the REC 10V PM2 and the BBS K390 PM2.
@@Outpost_76 I'll search it now. Keep up the good work.
Have you tested any of the premium steel exclusives from Bradford? I have a guardian 3 in rex45 and aeb-l and guardian 3 wharncliff in Vanadis 4 Extra. Just curious if it is heat treated as good as spyderco does theirs. I won't buy M390 or 20CV unless it comes from spyderco because everywhere else it chips into powder ESPECIALLY Benchmade 20CV. Yuck
I wonder if there will be a pm2 in k390?
There was already a PM2 in K390 like a year or two ago from BBS
I'm trying not to favor magnacut for being a stainless steel with carbon steel properties. For right now, magnacut>cruwear>s90v.
Where can i find the manix in the different metals and how to find when the new models come out.
Do a Google search for 2021 spydsprint runs. It will show you the Spyderco forum thread where someone posts most of the announced sprints and exclusive models. Instagram watching the Spyderco or the retailers that usually have exclusives. All the ones out now you would have to find on the secondary market. The Spyderco group on Facebook would be a good place to post asking if anyone has a particular model and Steel available. I see lots for sale weekly. You can email me and I'll send you some links to look for one.
@@Outpost_76 thank you
You're welcome
Of the 5, is cruwear the easiest to sharpen ?
4V is also easy to sharpen, very close to Cruwear.
That is a expensive list. The only steel I've had experience with is s90v. I got it years ago a spyderco manix sprint run. I didn't have it 4 months it chipped to hell very easy. I gave it back to snap-on for a loss.
Maybe it was my use being a mechanic I scrap gaskets cut wire and other hard stuff. Guess I'm just a budget knife guy I don't see $120 dollar difference in these steels Maybe if I get a cheap k390 somewhere. But personally I like xhp, 14c28n, D2 they have worked good for me easy to replace easy to sharpen I believe the others are gimmick really for my use. Maybe if I worked in a warehouse breaking tons of cardboard it would be different. Still don't see the value in a few less sharpenings.
Do you really think $250 for cru-wear vs $30 14c28n do you really think it's worthwhile I don't see why they cost so much.
My son-in-law is a mechanic too. Doing your job, you need toughness over edge retention. Scraping metal, cutting wire reinforced hose, etc is going to dull a knife pretty quick anyways, regardless of the steel.. He is constantly loosing knives or snapping the tip, things like that, so the cost of replacing them is a much bigger concern than if he can still shave hair with it at the end of the day. Plus, if you lay it down under the hood, you aren't out $200 bucks when your customer drives away with it.
@@timbo4374 it's always nice when someone understands we're your coming from.
@@richardhenry1969 Tell me about it. So rare these days.
@@richardhenry1969 I know exactly what you mean. Back in my diesel and heavy equipment days and still to current building cars I've always used something like 420 in a pinch to scrape with. I do have many scrapers, razor blades and a very large assortment of 3m abrasives to take care of anything like that. I also more recently keep some sort of inexpensive budget knife around for mechanic tasks. No matter how careful you are tools sometimes get left under a hood and I'd rather not loose a knife over about 30$ or so.
Been looking at manly in s90v, shame to hear they are a bit soft.
Its still a solid knife and last I saw they were testing around 60 rc. Keep in mind mid 59 rc S90V will break 400 feet in a 1 inch section tested as I do all the others.
@@Outpost_76 s90v is a great steel, easy to sharpen, and holds an edge very well. I only have 2 knives in s90, 940-1 and the laminated cpm154/s90v manix. Both great cutters
All I've seen in K390 is Spyderco. Anyone know of a company other than Spyderco that uses that steel?
What are your top five budget steels? 14C28N? AEB-L?
I'm going to do a video about them.
@@Outpost_76 Thank you. Much appreciate this. Could you please include comments on NitroV (similarities, differences with 14C28N, pros/cons). Thanks!
Have you ever seen/ heard of “diamond edge knives”?
They apparently friction forge their edges producing like a 67hrc area near the edge. Very very interesting, but I assume it’s kinda bs
Roman and I talked about these a couple years ago. I may at some point get one to see what it's all about.
@@Outpost_76 heck yeah sounds good. It would be cool to get a micro vickers measurement on the edge. I’ll be excited to hear what you have to say.
What is the name of the little fixed blade in k390?
Shark by Alex Stiengraber, you can find him on Instagram. He is currently working on this design in Vanax again.
@@Outpost_76 sweet I’m a big fan of vanax!
Great video, how would you rate 3v and nitro v?
Nitro V I'd call a budget steel. It's going to be a lot like 14c28n in many ways. 3V I do like it's just not up in my top 5. I'll definitely have some more 3V testing coming next year to give a better idea of what it's capable of. I'll also cover more about 3V, how it sharpens and how it does at various hardness. Outdoors/bushcraft vs edc type stuff.
@@Outpost_76 nitro v is being introduced to more knives. Only reason I asked just watched Pete do a test and it did great but it was a custom. How'd you like the perpetua? Thanks
Z wear vs cruwear if you had to choose??
If both are heat treated tge ssme then there will be no difference. They are analog steels with the same composition.
I have a bgm in cruwear. It’s off getting it’s first edge put on it. I have a custom one off Lanza with bright green g10 scales and a stone washed satin full flat grind. The stonewashed satin is pretty cool how from one angle it looks like it’s only stonewashed and from a different angle all you see it the belt satin finish. I love the way it looks.
If you don't mind corrosion, what about some rex 45
I still need to use it more. I'm currently undecided on it.
K390all day every day!! I'm patently waiting for a manix2 lightweight in k390 damnit!! lol
This would be the ultimate edc for me!
Surprised Rex45 didnt make the list
It would possibly be 7 or so had I gone that far in list form.
@@Outpost_76 Interesting. Thanks for the valuable videos by the way!
Do you have any SPY27?
I still have the Manix in SPY27 that I tested. I recently brought it out to use again.
oh awesome, are you a fan of SPY27? I just got a para3 with it and love it so far@@Outpost_76