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method_burger
563
May 1, 2018
for anyone starting to collect knives, be careful of 'buzz words' like tactical, hard-use, super steel, super-coatings, high carbon stainless, surgical steel, etc. the thing to note is every knife design choice, steel type, price point, etc. all have advantages and disadvantages, so do your own research.
the goal of the knife hobby is: to use and experience all type of knives, and try to find the best one that fits you.
a few sub-goals: dont go broke, dont scare people, dont hurt anyone, dont screw up your knife too badly
fhood
715
May 8, 2018
method_burger" the goal of the knife hobby is: to use and experience all type of knives, and try to find the best one that fits you. "
Incorrect, the goal of the knife hobby is to spend all of your disposable income on folding pieces of metal.
method_burger
563
May 9, 2018
fhoodif you want folding pieces of metal, i recommend paperclips =)
fhood
715
May 9, 2018
method_burgerThey don't make paperclips in s35vn so I am going to have to pass for now.
Soundtoxin
143
May 23, 2018
method_burgerI think super steel has a fairly clear meaning. Generally refers to things like S35VN and M390.
method_burger
563
May 24, 2018
Soundtoxinhahaha I haven't heard S35VN considered a supersteel in a few years. it's still a premium steel, but I think it lost its 'super' a couple years ago. man, people used to argue for days about s30v and 154cm (the regular version, not CPM-154) about 10 years ago.
In terms of 'above average' steels, S35VN definitely set a recent standard to what a high performing knife steel should be. But if you were to compare s35vn and M390, M390 is definitely superior (like comparing 8cr13 to VG10)
but honestly, as we are in the 'tactical' knife discussion, the best steel is whatever gets the job done in the highest optimal way. which may possibly be 8cr13, since you'll hopefully be heartbroken if you pry using M390 (although M390 is a more optimal choice, the price difference and quality makes M390 not a good choice for most knife edc'ers)
UncleMusket
166
May 24, 2018
SoundtoxinSuper steel doesn't mean anything specific so it can be used to manipulate the consumer. It means different things to different people. Someone can say "well this 440 stainless is super to me!" and be right.
method_burger
563
May 24, 2018
UncleMusketwell... although it doesn't have a specific meaning, it is well accepted that 'super steels,' in the knife community, something along the lines of 'top performers' generally in edge retention (sometimes also including stainlessness, impact resistance, etc.) I think they need to classify this better, because there are mid-range steels like 440C/VG-10, then really good steels S30V, and then even better like M4/20CV. (like high-end for S30V, and then super for M4) butas usual 154CM is hard to categorize =( it's the odd child
440C was once a super steel, and so was VG-10, and then the era of BG-42/ATS-34. But steel tech is a lot like graphics cards, they upgrade really fast.
And whoever says '440 is super to me' is probably someone you shouldnt be taking steel advice from..... (although 440A is one of my favorite steels lol)
perlhkr
113
Jun 20, 2018
method_burgerI'd also like to add (and this is not directed at, or in reference to, anyone or any post in this forum) - take all reviews with a grain of salt. Especially YouTube reviews. There are countless "fanboys" out there that believe BrandX is the greatest since sliced whatever, and will not offer a biased opinion regardless of the facts . It may take "trial and error" before you find what you like. If, like me, you live in an area where knife shops are virtually non-existent, and you have to rely entirely on the online retailers, it may take even longer. Don't fall for the hype over any particular model ... I made that mistake too many times at first. Keep an open mind ... "made in China" does not automatically mean "this knife is junk". I've had (and returned) more than my share of "made in USA" knives that were an embarrassment and should never have left the shop. Just because a knife has a particular brand stamped on the blade doesn't automatically imply quality. And, on an unrelated note ... MAP pricing is ridiculous, counterproductive, and a big cause of the growing influx of cheap clones into the market ... IMO anyhow :-)
James2132
2
Jun 26, 2018
method_burgerI have a few classifications for steels. Budget - cheap stuff like 3cr13 and 440a standard - 8cr13, 440C, 420 HC and the like Mid-high range is a little messier and goes to 1095, VG-10, VG-1, 12C27 and most of the tool steels like O1 and D2 Super Steels means PM steels like s30v, CPM3v, Elmax, ZDP189 Hyper Steels are specialist very hard steels like s90v/M390, 20CV and extends up to the never seen exotics and probably even encompasses tungsten carbide and others than aren't really steels
method_burger
563
Jun 27, 2018
James2132That's actually pretty close my classification too, although I think 440C is more of a midrange steel, and you can make the argument buck's 420HC is mid-range too.
I think a better estimate of how 'good' a steel is by average market price of a 3in folder. The lines between mid/high gets pretty blurry, though low: >$10 standard: 10-25$ mid: 25-80$ high: 80-150$ super: <150$
method_burger
563
Jun 27, 2018
perlhkrcold steel marketing is especially catering to fanboys. 'buy our knife, because then you'll be as hardcore as the axis lock' although I would love to see someone on the cold steel's youtube video team do a pull up on one of their knives. you know, after then batoned it into a brick wall or whatever. I'll never buy a new cold steel knife, because i hate this type of marketing. it's gives non-knife people a very unrealistic impression of knives and knife users. also i feel like it is forcing myself to see my masculinity in a certain way, similar to fashion magazines forcing a certain image of women. this has nothing to do with the quality of their knives, although i do have issues with the texturing of their G10, and terrible pocket clips.
I have to disagree with MAP pricing, since it was a way to prevent large sellers from dropping their prices too low to out-compete small stores. It is also an attempt at the knife company to properly set the value of their knives, rather than the market, to keep their identity as so-and-so. Sadly, the market would rather have online shopping convenience than brick and mortar stores because people just dont know what a quality product is, or how to choose them.
Gunnersmate2
1646
Sep 14, 2018
method_burgerYa but look at Medford knife there D2 steel knives are$600
method_burger
563
Sep 15, 2018
Gunnersmate2Gil Hibben has 440C knives well over $1000 Spyderco Native used to be 80$ for S35VN like 3 years ago
Comparing custom knives with production is pretty much like comparing how a to harvest an apple tree in your backyard vs. harvesting an apple orchard.
Gunnersmate2
1646
Sep 15, 2018
method_burgerYa and trying to classify steel by knife price is......
method_burger
563
Sep 15, 2018
Gunnersmate2i said it was 'blurry' and this is more for beginner knife collector/users, so they have some reference point
i'm not going to talk about carbide tearing, the difference between rockwell and brinell, and all the other weird stuff knife people think way too much about. (and also part of the fun)
Gunnersmate2
1646
Sep 15, 2018
method_burgerIt is blurry
Southerncross1
0
May 10, 2020
method_burgerI am just starting to explore the various types of knives out in the market and for a novice user like me it's refreshing to get some sound advice. Regards Nat.
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