What's the very best steel for an everyday carry pocketknife?

Рет қаралды 136,507

Күн бұрын

Today, I'm remaking an old video, and discussing my thoughts on the best steels for your daily knives, talking about some of the things that matter much more than steel chemistry, and giving my take on the steels that are good, great, bad and ugly for your specific needs.
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'Knife Engineering' Book (Affiliate link, if you'd like to support the channel): amzn.to/3vFy6wL
And here's the list from the video:
Things that matter more than Steel
- Blade and Edge Geometry
- Heat Treatment
- Stainlessness and other needs
- Your sharpening comfort
- A note on ‘Damascus’
- Steel matters less than you think
My ‘Nope’ Steels
- 3Cr, 4Cr, 5Cr, 7Cr…
- 420/440A/440B
- Cheap Damascus
‘- Surgical Stainless’ or ‘Stainless Steel’
My ‘Probably Not’ Steels
- 1.4116
- 420HC
- 8Cr13MoV
- AUS-8
- H1
- Victorinox
My ‘Solid Budget’ Steels
- 12C27
- 14C28N
- 154CM
- 440C
- 9Cr18MoV and AR-RPM9
- AUS-10A
- CTS-BD1 / Z
- D2*
- N690 / N690Co
- VG-10
My ‘Good to Go’ Steels
- 1095
- 52100†
- AEB-L
- CPM-154 / RWL-34 / ATS-34
- CPM-4V†
- CPM-CruWear
- CPM-D2
- CPM-MAGNACUT†
- CPM-REX45
- CPM REX-121†
- CPM-S30V
- CPM-S35VN
- CPM-S45VN
- CPM-S110V
- CRUFORGE†
- CTS-BD1N
- CTS-XHP
- Damasteel
- Elmax
- HAP-40
- Nitro-V
- PSF-27
- SM100**†
- SPY-27
- Terravantium/Dendritic Cobalt**
- Vanadis 4†
- Z-Max†
My Personal ‘Steels of Choice’
- CPM-3V
- CPM-10V
- CPM-M4
- CPM-S90V
- Damacore
- K390
- LC200N / Z-FiNit
- M390 / CTS-204P / CPM-20CV
- Maxamet
- Sandrin Tungsten Carbide**
- Vanax Superclean
- ZDP-189
Legend
* - ’D2’ means many things and there is an unusual variance in final performance
** - This is not chemically a steel
† - Based on community feedback and data, not personal experience
Where to keep learning
- Knife Engineering (2020) by Dr. Larrin Thomas
- knifesteelnerds.com
- TripleBHandmade (Shawn Houston)
- Cedric & Ada Gear and Outdoors on YT
- Knife Steel Composition Apps and Charts
- Forums (e.g. BladeForums, Spyderco Forums)

Пікірлер: 592

@WhuDhat 10 ай бұрын

Nick Shabazz: the master of stretching a simple topic into a well over 20 minute video

@jiveafrica4232 3 жыл бұрын

Nobody does it like Nick Thx for summarising everything I've been researching in the last 3 months into 30 minutes Your channel rules

@romeobenvolio4145 3 жыл бұрын

You know your stuff, Nick! Was really pleased to hear you talk about heat treatment and grind in response to the best steel question.

@zilvalcampos6170 11 ай бұрын

Having declared my dissatisfaction with this sharpener last night kzfaq.infoUgkxDcr-y2Pf6xdnrFHrSP7dl9kpKaCozcSQ I thought about the problem some more. It occurred to me that I might be undoing each attempt at achieving a sharp edge by the repeated attempts. So, I tried to clean up the unsatisfactory result by honing with only positions 3 and 4.Miracle!! A really nicely sharpened chef's knife, more than enough to handle my needs. Admittedly, it did not reach professionally sharpened razor-fineness, but it is now significantly sharper than it was. A bout of breaking down carrots convinced me. So, major apologies to the manufacturer, Amazon, and all happy and potential owners! Follow the directions: don't buy it if you have ceramic blades; and don't overwork your knife blade.

@swampyankeeknives 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking me to school, it is very much appreciated. You comment of this being interesting and useful information was certainly an understatement!

@geico1975 3 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic list, unless you have as much experience with knives and steel as our man Nick, this is the most helpful list I've seen. Thanks for sharing.

@aidenwade3891 3 жыл бұрын

This video is so informative I’ve decided to watch it twice, or maybe even return to it every so often to help retain all of this useful information.

@matusknives 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video - gives a little perspective without digging to deep into the matter. I appreciate that more and more channels mention that heat treatment is one of the most important parts (and one the user just can not fix) as well as the geometry (which if necessary can be fixed)

@Krozin 3 жыл бұрын

this is something i discovered recently, thank you for affirming my research and teaching me a few new tips

@bengosling4606 3 жыл бұрын

Very informative vid for someone like me who has used pocket knives most of my life but am totally new to the technical side of blade steels. Thanks Nick...

@sawmillsam7156 Жыл бұрын

Between the vast knowledge and the sharp humor I appreciate you!

@alwoolhouse6255 11 ай бұрын

Superb video. Machine gunning facts at 3000 mph, no filler, no bias, no ego, no music. Just fantastic. Thanks.

@jkanecutlery 3 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you brought up how important geometry is. 👍🏻

@mfreeman313 2 жыл бұрын

Simply an excellent, masterful presentation. I'm not aware of any one video that gives you the basic rundown on most of the steels out there while first providing critical context on how to think about the steel used as one factor in decisions on what to buy and use. I'm a longtime knife-liker and relatively recent knife nut, and I'm thinking more about a sane balance between edge retention and ease of sharpening at this stage, especially in my kitchen knives that see use every day, so this is all hugely helpful.

@DixieLiving 3 жыл бұрын

What a great reference sheet! Thank you Nick!

@charliepugh9436 Жыл бұрын

This was an absolutely great video. I'm pretty new to this and learned so much. I am a fan of yours truly. Thanks 😊

@jolness1 3 жыл бұрын

I can tell you are a science focused person. I love these style "talking hand" videos. Great information for those who aren't interested in digging through 100s of pages of knifesteelnerds

@Daniel_DiSanto 3 жыл бұрын

Good catch! He is literally a scientist! 😁

@jolness1 3 жыл бұрын

@@Daniel_DiSanto yes indeed he is. Just the way that he lay stuff out definitely fits in with that fact.

@pauljosephbuggle3722 3 жыл бұрын

This is an excellent informative and well balanced masterclass with tiptop advice.

@mostmuscular619 3 жыл бұрын

Solid vid on different steels. Love me some CPM-154, M390/CPM-20CV, S90V, S110V, and Maxamet. That MBK fixed blade looks gorgeous and I don't own any 3V; time to buy another knife! Excellent that you brought out that book again!

@jcphreak 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the list in the description section. It provided a nice list to start researching...

@Mntoyaz 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your experience and knowledge of knife steel! Excellent video!

@kennymckown8603 3 жыл бұрын

Nick , excellent work , I really needed that.

@karrawr9538 3 жыл бұрын

I love seeing knife nerds rate steels. Thank you for the great info!

@speckledjim_ 3 жыл бұрын

This one goes into my "saved" pile. Thanks Nick, nice one 👏🏻👏🏻

@shenmisheshou7002 2 жыл бұрын

You make exactly the right point. The steel is usually not all that critical and blade geometry and ergonomics are much more important. Also, for the very vast majority of customers, the most service the average EDC will do is open boxes from Amazon. I have been carrying EDCs of all types for a very long time, and mostly what they have had to deal with is packaging materials. I have a dozen or so knives, but the Bugout is the best at opening things because it has a super-slicy blade.

@josepmariaaguascaribot9239 3 жыл бұрын

D2, 440HC and 14C28N are my preferred alloys.

@CadillacDriver 3 жыл бұрын

Indeed.

@dimi7055 3 жыл бұрын

Nice amount of work you put in this! Gj mate!

@samuelpope7798 Жыл бұрын

This video is really incredible. I've bookmarked it and will recommend it to anyone in the market for a knife!!!!!🔪 Thanks !!!!

@profesorEDC 3 жыл бұрын

Great vid Nicolás! Loved your steel choices.😊👍

@fatpoorvagrant3662 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, and have watched a few times. I really wanted to try different steels and really didn't know where to start. After watching this I was "good to go." 😎👍

@TheSnakeman3 3 жыл бұрын

At least it’s good to see my favorites on your favorites list. Thanks for the info.

@jameskane3653 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks again for this video, don’t know how many times I reference this piece!

@willblake72 3 жыл бұрын

Very informative, thanks Nick.

@schaufelwerker3063 8 ай бұрын

was what i need thank you for this banger of a video

@klockwerk0668 3 жыл бұрын

This is awesome, thank you Nick

@WilliamWallis 3 жыл бұрын

Informative video, Nick. You’re steel the best.

@explorerextraordinaire5472 3 жыл бұрын

A+

@FastWReX 3 жыл бұрын

The D2 steel I’ve got on my Esee Zancudo and Avispa has done well. I really enjoy D2 over the other budget steels.

@taxburdett 3 ай бұрын

I had two D2 knives develop rust on the blade and in the pivot because of the environment I work in. Since then I’ve pretty much only used knives made of parts that won’t rust by Quiet Carry.

@evancobb6622 3 жыл бұрын

“Actually sharpening raises a good point” I mean he isn’t wrong

@xabalba555 3 жыл бұрын

What an EDGEy comment

@marcdee4427 2 жыл бұрын

If victorinox steel is used by various military units in the world it can’t be bad can it ?

@TheRealKennethReid 2 жыл бұрын

@Marc Dee Yes it can. Civilians hear "military grade" and get excited, whereas soldiers hear that term and shiver with fear at the low quality.

@nitrorc4life1 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheRealKennethReid yes and no, the purpose for using "cheap" steels in "military grade" is ease of field sharpening. Try sharpening elmax on a rock for example, your going to be there awhile.

@butchbilbrey7871 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video Nick, very informative

@bittidude 2 жыл бұрын

A nice compilation of good facts, as hunting/fishing knife I have 3G steel knife from fällkniven edge retension, tuoghness and rust resistance is amazing. At work I use "solid budget" VG10, D2 or 14C28N, dont have to cry if I i hit it on something that ruin the blade or it gets chipped, and as a EDC knife i have M390. As you said I almost gave up sharpening M390 and 3G these are really hard to get a good edge on, but when you finaly got it just need to strop it to get that razor edge back

@ftlaud911 3 жыл бұрын

Great video!! When I started out I was completely lost. After becoming a steel nerd through research and using different steels you learn what you like. Like the brand of oil in your car. There is no wrong choice once ypu get past a certain level. Also depends on usuage environment. So far s110v, M390/20cv, K390, M4, and lately s90v are my favorites. Need to survive in wilderness 1095 or 3v. All comes down to blade shape, heat treatment, and usage. I find all non stainless steels will..drum roll stain. Even if cared for it is only a matter of time, before you forget to wipe/oil and will get a patina or rust/pit. I have some steels I collect and others I use daily. All part of the hobby.

@michaelgrimes8326 2 жыл бұрын

Love my Demko in 3v

@jgunther3398 Жыл бұрын

I have a little assemblage of old U.S.A. pocketknives of 1095 or thereabouts. The patinas on them are wonderful if you just let them go, nicer than Damascus patterns

@explorerextraordinaire5472 3 жыл бұрын

I was steel watching hhahhehahhhhehhhahhehha great video! it's about time you updated it = ) Pete from c&a is awesome, and I'm happy to see that you two are good buddies ❤️

@jasonlast6273 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent vid there on steels. Superbly put across.

@alexguild 3 жыл бұрын

So helpful! thank you sir Nick!

@archerxo1 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic! Thank you for list in comments

@Kens_knives 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nick for opening up the can of worms on knife steel you left out a few but still I found your comments on this some what interesting keep up the good work.

@PRproduct 3 жыл бұрын

I don't even care about steel that much as I've amassed my collection, I generally look at a design I like and typically they're good enough steels.

@FearNoSteel 3 жыл бұрын

My current personal favorites are CPM MagnaCut, CPM 15v, CPM Rex 45, CPM Rex 121, and Maxamet. They just make me happy.

@londiniumarmoury7037 3 жыл бұрын

You got some good performance out of that Magnacut, them nails didn't stand a chance.

@r1w3d 2 жыл бұрын

Damn this list is on par with how I would list blade steels 🤣 1095 is absolutely good to go from Tops knives and my favorite EDC blade steels are S90v on my spyderco native chief and M390/204P from microtech. I was worried when the list was 3/4 done and I didn't see those steels. Happy to see I'm not the only person happy with those three steels 1095, M390, S90V. Stay awesome Nick 👍

@patrickmccrea3455 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir this gave me a whole new perspective on knife steel as of right now I am a M390 snob in fact I saw a site that will make a M390 blade for my Ontario Rat 2 lol once again thank you I definitely value your opinion 👋😊😁

@FCM415 3 жыл бұрын

K390 is crazy. After over ten years of collecting, it's edge retention, toughness is the best Ive seen. Maintains a keen edge after banging it around. LC200N is also a revelation for its corrosion resistance.

@nandayane 2 жыл бұрын

Of the crazy wear resistant steels, it is one of the easier ones to sharpen. Love my endura in K390.

@mitchblackmore5230 3 жыл бұрын

Of course I looked at the description AFTER typing out all the steels in a Word document. Derp. Good video. Subbed.

@gunmadonna 3 жыл бұрын

absolutely delighted to see my personal favorite steel, m390, on your list of favorites as well. "what is the best pocket knife steel" is a complicated question depending on use case, personal preference, lifestyle, and many other factors. but.. the answer is m390

@LC_NOoSE_IV 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome update!

@alpine1600s 3 жыл бұрын

Good points at the beginning, especially with heat treatment and grinds. The Steels list after is very subjective, especially when dealing with brands. Like AUS-10a is exclusively Cold Steel, and good luck finding 440c!🤣

@robertbarnum7541 Жыл бұрын

Years ago I had an old dagger with a some sort of bone handle and the word "Solingen" on the blade. Spectacularly beautiful and sharp.

@TheKyleMark 2 жыл бұрын

I love VG-10. Yes, there’s tons of great options that hold their edges longer, but it takes about two minutes on a Sharpmaker to get any of the VG-10 Seki Spydercos just absolutely sticky sharp. That’s a real benefit.

@RobotMonkeytron 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, and if you're only using it for light use, it'll hold an edge for a long time.

@M60gunner1971 2 жыл бұрын

I have an older Gerber Gator folder I purchased in the 1990's and I can't put an edge on it. Great knife but damn the sharpening but again I'm no sharpening wizard.

@kevinAuman1 Жыл бұрын

@@M60gunner1971 lol that would be either 420hc or 440A more than likely so yeah those are very soft and easy steels to sharpen 🤷‍♂️

@daveyboy6985 Жыл бұрын

@@M60gunner1971 if you know somebody with a lansky sharpening system , or buy one yourself you can put an amazing edge on your knife. Most knives don't come with a very edge from the shop. So you have to spend a bit of time reprofiling the edge.

@M60gunner1971 Жыл бұрын

@@kevinAuman1 oh can I mail it to you blade cyclops?!!

@nich882 3 жыл бұрын

Well done nick!

@nickr4930 Жыл бұрын

Nick Shabazz has the best, most informative, and most entertaining channel for knives in my opinion. I live in Hawaii near the ocean and spend a lot of time in the water. I’ve found that a serrated H1 Spyderco Pacific salt works well for me for nearly every cutting task. I like the smaller thumb ramp of the VG10 Endura’s, but I’d be worried about corrosion on the liners. I think H1 is great if you get serrated. I’ve had plain edge H1 and it is very underwhelming.

@brianreinbold2055 3 жыл бұрын

Slicey blade geometry with a very good heat treat equals Spyderco.

@JonLaRue 3 жыл бұрын

You mean TRM

@thegreendank1 3 жыл бұрын

Got my s45vn para3 and love it.

@MrKaxid 3 жыл бұрын

great video, and huge amount of info..and yes I was "steel watching" @ 29:38

@scottsozmtns7534 2 жыл бұрын

I can whole heartedly agree with your placement of “M390”. I absolutely love that steel! I know that. The “Sandvik”, steels are considered cheaper quality but over the years & using various knives with 12C27, 13C26 & 14C28N, along with 1095 rank very high w/me personally. They are those type steels that to me are “I know exactly where this blade needs a touch-up”, or just feel it when making a pass on a stone when they are “good-to-go”. For me personally they represent the “Favorite T-Shirt, your “Old Sneakers”, or “Mom’s Home Cooking”! Lol 😆 However those steels aside; there is 1 steel that I find so very intriguing but very little is said about it. Yes I have a knife from the company, the steel is thick but I can get an edge like nothing else when speaking of BUSSE Knives and “INFI Steel”. I’d love to hear your take on Busse & Swamp Rat knives as well. Great stuff, Thanks!

@nickuschrist5967 Жыл бұрын

It's good to see that I'm not the only one with a mirror edge Pilar

@grandiagod 3 жыл бұрын

Your commitment to doing the least editing possible by printing out stuff instead of making graphics gives me a comfy old youtube vibe.

@masteropuppets5642 3 жыл бұрын

Great job!!!! I'll check out the Knife Engineering book 👍

@jackmehoff7430 2 жыл бұрын

LC200n for wet field work. Cruwear, CTS-XPH for overall general application. 154CM, D2 awesome budget options, especially D2 which has amazing value.

@obirato 2 жыл бұрын

great video! lots of congrats!!

@ahhcrickets 3 жыл бұрын

Very well done. Thank you!

@vorpfriendly7574 3 жыл бұрын

I've got a VTOKU endura and I love it

@brianmcgraw6903 3 жыл бұрын

I just got a new knife in Elmax. Starting to really love this steel.

@torunsmok5890 3 жыл бұрын

Pleasantly surprised with how highly Nitro-V ranks, just bought the new civivi imperium in that steel and I'm in love so far, good to know the steel will hold up long term!

@michaelgeorge5197 11 ай бұрын

I have one too and love it. I was also surprised. I’m still learning about steels. My most recent folder is a kizer escort with 154

@soullessone_edc6226 3 жыл бұрын

Great information loved the video

@justadudefrom97 3 жыл бұрын

Nick! 3V for the win! Im carrying a 3v xm18 in my pocket right now😎

@gunmadonna 3 жыл бұрын

when you pulled out the s90v & carbon fiber native i went "hey, i have that one!" and then.. remembered that your review is the reason i have this one 😂

@gunmadonna 3 жыл бұрын

my only issue with this knife is that s90v is kind of a b*tch to sharpen. still a good steel - even a great steel - but not my #1 favorite, or even #2

@reasonablenamehere 3 жыл бұрын

The original video you did on this topic was my first video I saw on your channel. Oh, memories.

@Rick-mo2zm 3 жыл бұрын

Anything in the M390/CV20/204P family of steels. Fairly tough and holds a pretty decent edge. Also pretty easy to sharpen for people that aren't very experienced either. Also highly corrosion resistant.

@aidenwade3891 3 жыл бұрын

A while back ago I picked up a Kershaw scallion, which I believe is only 420 steel and that thing somehow still is a razor edge after a ton of hard use. I’m talking basic cuts, cardboard, food prep while camping, and even whittling.

@SpaceDave3000 3 жыл бұрын

I usually nitpick your videos a little when it's on something you are less informed about, but on this, I can't really fault your choices. Good vid!

@daveyboy6985 3 жыл бұрын

I have two knives in 14c28n Swedish steel. Probably same edge retention as vg10 , sharpens as easily, but I think tougher. Great budget steel.

@jeffscott9973 Жыл бұрын

It's very similar but VG10 is marginally better cutlery steel. 14c28 is just 13c with slightly more corrosion resistance at the expense of less edge keenness. 13 is closer to VG10 and takes a finer edge than 14. Many people consider 13c and VG10 to be interchangeable. Both are EXCELLENT stainless cutlery steels and about as good as non PM steel for the purposes of a knife blade get.

@SemperFi_EDC_Guy 3 жыл бұрын

I would love to see someone experienced in the hobby and sharpening guess what steel is which in a blind test type video...😏

@davidr6856 3 жыл бұрын

I'm going to do exactly that with ~25 different Spyderco Mules later this summer. Or you can see it done right by Larren at knifesteelnerds.com.

@barkingspider2007 3 жыл бұрын

It is a lot of fun to see how the various super steels sharpen up. K390 and Maxamet are steels that are easy to identify by how they cut and sharpen.

@RadDadisRad 3 жыл бұрын

Almost impossible because of different heat treats.

@SemperFi_EDC_Guy 3 жыл бұрын

@@davidr6856 sweet!

@SemperFi_EDC_Guy 3 жыл бұрын

@@RadDadisRad ur no fun Leland lol 😆

@lecco666 3 жыл бұрын

This is superb.

@Pinki2019 3 жыл бұрын

Most of the knives I EDC have steel in Nick's "Probably Not" and "Solid Budget" categories. Works fine for me. Very light EDC and some bushcraft stuff is most of what I do with knives. Since most of the time I find I only have to hone the edges, or use the fine rods on the Spyderco Sharp Maker, I think that means I don't have much of a need for a super steel. Today all I cut was an avocado and some cheese. For me, LC200N is the most intriguing option from the "best" list. I'd like to see the Dragonfly in that (I also contend with extreme local knife laws on blade length).

@airadaimagery692 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! I think it is very important not to forget about the new comers when it is all said and done. Thanks!

@downstc1 3 жыл бұрын

From a newbie, very enlightening Nick, thanks so much. Keep up the good work man!

@Volkmannx 2 жыл бұрын

Helpful, thanks!

@nandayane 2 жыл бұрын

I bought LC200N for the combo of edge retention and sharpen-ability.

@swamiralf5115 3 жыл бұрын

A bravura performance! Kudos on a great reference vid...

@williamperron760 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent vidéo!

@cheaperthanyouthink2646 7 ай бұрын

I would love a re visit to this video

@MightyRude 3 жыл бұрын

The Italians are actually doing wonders with n690co. DBK tested a extrema ratio selvans in n699co and it outperformed most of their supersteel knives.

@jamesrodgers3132 3 жыл бұрын

Another resource (more for buyers of Chinese brands that are never touched here) is the project that LuvThemKnives has going. That involves proper scientific metallurgical testing of sample knives from different companies, with the result documented on a publicly-available spreadsheet. It focuses particularly on hardness and composition. Some budget-knife companies haven't come out of it well, but some have been surprisingly good.

@BenCase88 Жыл бұрын

Only one on the list you skipped was my favorite edc steel Elmax. I just got a Kizer Drop Bear with winter storm fat carbon and Elmax steel. I absolutely love it. I've bought tons of knives I loved but needed to add something small or change something but this one is just perfect for me right out of the box. To use your saying " that's a beautiful thing ". That's for the video and take care my friend.

@LonestarTaoboy Жыл бұрын

Elmax is on the list in the "Good to Go" category.

@The_Great_Whodini 3 жыл бұрын

Oh baby I love me some Vanax, I have noticed differences in steels less and less, but I love that I can be in the field all day, sweat, rain, sap, and my blade will be completely fine

@EDCandLace 3 жыл бұрын

S90v, M390 and M4 are my fav steel.

@Barryhatchet 3 жыл бұрын

The MBK Field Trekker does have thick stock but the blade geometry that is akin to a full flat grind, thin behind the edge and lovely convex grind does make for a great slicer. I used it on apples and potatoes and it works almost as well as a paring knife while the thick stock can benefit bushcraft very well. It is a jack of all trades knife in a great way that I mentioned on your last video but I don’t know if you read all your comments. I am glad you are on team LC200N, one of my favorite steels but one thing that gets so overlooked is it’s toughness!!!! LC200N is rated at 32 ft lbs while the great 3V is rated at about 40 ft lbs while a lot of steels that are considered great steels are rated around 10 ft lbs. LC200N’s shining quality of being stain free seems to be most people’s entirety of knowledge of it. Drop some knowledge on these fools and save them from their lack of worshipping such a deity of a steel. If LC200N was a god, it would be the love child of Poseidon and Thor!

@NickShabazz 3 жыл бұрын

It’s a great knife for sure! And yes, LC200N is stellar

@mtargetproduction 3 жыл бұрын

nice to see you think so highly of dendritic cobalt, I've been looking at Boye Cobalt knives for a few years now and keep going back and forth on whether or not they're something I'd want to buy. (I do live right on the Ocean, so the rustproof feature is a big plus)

@MontereyBayKnives 3 жыл бұрын

Funny you mention the Boye Cobalt. I just acquired two in a trade, they're from the 90s when they were still made in Davenport, CA. They strop up like nothing I have seen before.

@mtargetproduction 3 жыл бұрын

@@MontereyBayKnives interesting, didn't know they started in CA, I figured they were in AZ from the beginning.

@MontereyBayKnives 3 жыл бұрын

@@mtargetproduction originally Davenport. The owner of William Henry Knives first entry into knives was grinding for David Boye. Both companies originating out of Santa Cruz County.

@mtargetproduction 3 жыл бұрын

@@MontereyBayKnives cool, learn something new every day!

@GD-os8mz 8 ай бұрын

Thank you!!!🙏

@akonaste2101 3 жыл бұрын

Great video... Generally agree with your "rankings". Although I'm not really a steel snob and I have some 8cr blades, both folding and fixed. They're good beater knives to keep around (especially in the car). Like the Schrade SCHF61. I just dig that knife even though I know it's low end. Got 3 of them for $47 so....

@einundsiebenziger5488 Жыл бұрын

8Cr13 is in fact a beautiful budget steel. Gets crazy sharp in a whiff just like a carbon-steel Opinel and stays that way if you do not cut cardboard boxes and aluminium cans all day.

@TheWtfnonamez 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video as always. I think you gain huge credibility and kudos for discussing "things that matter more than Steel" at the start. The KZfaqr Survival Lilly designed an excellent survival knife, and gets harassed and insulted for choosing to use AUS8. Her logic was mostly based around the abuse survival knives take, and how harder and arbitrarily "better" steels frequently chip or lose the tip after heavy use in the field, or accidently striking stone. She beats her knives to death, uses them to dig holes, and split logs, so she comes from a position of field experience. She opted for a softer steel because "blunt is preferable to broken", and she can also ensure a good heat treat. Its actually quite sad seeing so many keyboard steel ninjas giving her grief for what was essentially a sensible and subjective decision. (if you ever want to review that knife, I am happy to buy and ship one to you)

@mfreeman313 2 жыл бұрын

Steel snobs downplay the importance of toughness. For that use case, she's right, and they're wrong and stupid. It's no big deal to sharpen a knife in the field. It's a rather bigger deal to try to repair a snapped blade. It's the same in my kitchen. I've got some fancy Japanese lasers but if I'm mincing garlic I want a Western-style knife with softer, more durable steel that won't chip on a rock cut. What's the "best" steel? The one most appropriate to the task you have planned for it IMHO.

@TheWtfnonamez 2 жыл бұрын

@@mfreeman313 Very well said. My pride and joy is an insanely expensive, hand made, survival knife, rated and tested for literally any temperature on earth. Im damned if I'm taking THAT knife out into the woods and using it to batton through knotty wood and dig holes for a latrine. Its in my bugout bag for a real emergency. If Im going to be beating on a knife, I take a beater for the beating work. Sometimes when I read comments on youtube it does make me wonder how much people actually use the knives they wax lyrical about. And agreed about the sharpening. Personally I pair off my knives with little sharpening kits when I intend to use them. All knives require sharpening, its just a matter of how much and how often. Good luck to you.