When it comes to selecting the ideal pocket knife, one must give careful consideration to the type of steel used in the blade. Alongside factors such as edge geometry and design, the choice of blade steel plays a pivotal role in determining a knife's performance. Steel, essentially an alloy composed of carbon and iron, often enriched with other elements, is tailored to enhance specific characteristics based on the intended application.

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In the knife industry, various steel types are crafted by altering the composition of additive elements and refining the blade through rolling and heating processes.

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The critical properties of knife steel can be summarized into five key aspects:

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1. Hardness: Hardness refers to a steel's ability to resist deformation when subjected to stress and applied forces. This property, often measured using the Rockwell C scale (HRC), directly correlates with strength.

2. Toughness: Toughness indicates a steel's capacity to resist damage, such as cracks or chips, when exposed to sudden impacts or heavy loads. Chipping is a detrimental factor for knives and is challenging to rectify. Measuring toughness involves various methods, making it less standardized compared to hardness.

3. Wear Resistance: Wear resistance is a steel's ability to withstand damage from both abrasive and adhesive wear. Abrasive wear occurs when harder particles come into contact with a softer surface, while adhesive wear happens when debris attaches to a surface. Wear resistance is influenced by a steel's hardness and specific chemistry.

4. Corrosion Resistance: Corrosion resistance denotes a steel's capability to resist corrosion, such as rust, caused by external elements like humidity, moisture, and salt. It's important to note that high corrosion resistance may affect overall edge performance.

5. Edge Retention: Edge retention pertains to how long a blade can maintain its sharpness during use. Despite being a frequently discussed aspect, edge retention lacks standardized measurement criteria and often involves subjective data. It is a combination of wear resistance and resistance to edge deformation.

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Choosing the "best knife steel" involves trade-offs, as maximizing one property may compromise another. A crucial balance is struck between strength or hardness and toughness. Some blades may be exceptionally hard but prone to chipping, while others are very tough but struggle to maintain a sharp edge.

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Common categories of knife steel include:

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1. Carbon Steel: Known for toughness and durability, carbon steel is commonly used in survival knives and machetes. It can achieve a sharp edge and is relatively easy to sharpen. However, it is susceptible to corrosion due to its low chromium content, with 1095 being a popular choice.

2. Tool Steel: Tool steels are hard alloys primarily used in cutting tools. Examples include D2, O1, and Crucible's CPM series, such as CPM 3V.

3. Stainless Steel: Stainless steel, enriched with chromium to resist corrosion, is popular for everyday carry (EDC) knives. Varieties include 400, 154CM, AUS, VG, CTS, MoV, Sandvik, and Crucible SxxV series. To be classified as stainless steel, the alloy must contain at least 13% chromium.

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Each steel type offers distinct properties that cater to various needs and preferences. The choice of knife steel ultimately depends on your specific requirements and intended usage.

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Differences Explained:

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Ultra-Premium Knife Steels

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1. Crucible CPM S110V

• Edge Retention (10): Outstanding

• Corrosion Resistance (6): Good

• Ease of Sharpening (1): Challenging

• Market Popularity (1): Low

Pros:

• Exceptional edge retention

• High wear resistance

• Relatively corrosion-resistant

Cons:

• Difficult to sharpen

• Limited availability

• Costly

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2. Crucible CPM S90V

• Edge Retention (9): Excellent

• Corrosion Resistance (5): Moderate

• Ease of Sharpening (1): Challenging

• Market Popularity (3): Moderate

Pros:

• Excellent edge retention

• High wear resistance

• Good toughness

Cons:

• Challenging to sharpen

• High cost

• Less corrosion resistance

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3. M390

• Edge Retention (9): Excellent

• Corrosion Resistance (7): Very Good

• Ease of Sharpening (2): Moderate

• Market Popularity (8): High

Pros:

• Excellent edge retention

• Very good corrosion resistance

• Well-rounded performance

• Available in various knives

Cons:

• Moderately challenging to sharpen

• Higher price range

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4. Hitachi ZDP-189

• Edge Retention (8): Very Good

• Corrosion Resistance (4): Fair

• Ease of Sharpening (1): Challenging

• Market Popularity (2): Low

Pros:

• Excellent edge retention

• Exceptional hardness

Cons:

• Extremely challenging to sharpen

• Vulnerable to corrosion

• Limited popularity

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5. Elmax

• Edge Retention (8): Very Good

• Corrosion Resistance (5): Moderate

• Ease of Sharpening (3): Moderate

• Market Popularity (6): Moderate

Pros:

• Good edge holding

• Easier to sharpen than some super steels

• Balanced performance

Cons:

• Moderate corrosion resistance

• Moderate sharpening difficulty

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Premium Knife Steels

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6. Crucible CPM-20CV

• Edge Retention (9): Excellent

• Corrosion Resistance (7): Very Good

• Ease of Sharpening (2): Moderate

• Market Popularity (6): Moderate

Pros:

• Impressive wear resistance

• Good edge retention

• High corrosion resistance

Cons:

• Moderate difficulty in sharpening

• Still relatively new in the market

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7. Carpenter CTS-XHP

• Edge Retention (8): Very Good

• Corrosion Resistance (6): Good

• Ease of Sharpening (5): Moderate

• Market Popularity (4): Moderate

Pros:

• Good edge retention

• Reasonable corrosion resistance

• Suitable for various applications

Cons:

• Moderate difficulty in sharpening

• Not as tough as some other steels

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8. Crucible CPM M4

• Edge Retention (9): Excellent

• Corrosion Resistance (2): Poor

• Ease of Sharpening (2): Moderate

• Market Popularity (2): Low

Pros:

• Exceptional toughness

• Holds an edge well

• Ideal for heavy-duty tasks

Cons:

• Low corrosion resistance

• Requires proper maintenance

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9. Crucible CPM S35VN

• Edge Retention (7): Good

• Corrosion Resistance (7): Good

• Ease of Sharpening (5): Moderate

• Market Popularity (9): High

Pros:

• Good balance of edge retention and toughness

• High stain resistance

• Widespread availability

Cons:

• Slightly lower edge retention compared to newer steels

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10. Crucible CPM S30V

• Edge Retention (7): Good

• Corrosion Resistance (7): Good

• Ease of Sharpening (5): Moderate

• Market Popularity (7): High

Pros:

• Balanced performance

• Excellent edge retention

• Resists rust effortlessly

Cons:

• Moderate sharpening difficulty

• Newer steels offer improved characteristics

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11. Carpenter 154CM

• Edge Retention (6): Good

• Corrosion Resistance (6): Good

• Ease of Sharpening (5): Moderate

Pros:

• Solid edge retention

• Good corrosion resistance

• Well-rounded performance

Cons:

• Faces competition from newer steels

• Moderate edge retention

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12. ATS-34

• Edge Retention (6): Good

• Corrosion Resistance (6): Good

• Ease of Sharpening (5): Moderate

Pros:

• Comparable to 154CM

• Good balance of edge retention and corrosion resistance

Cons:

• Faces competition from newer steels

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13. D2

• Edge Retention (8): Very Good

• Corrosion Resistance (2): Poor

• Ease of Sharpening (3): Moderate

Pros:

• Hard and holds an edge well

• Moderate corrosion resistance

Cons:

• Challenging to sharpen

• Prone to corrosion without proper care

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14. VG-10

• Edge Retention (6): Good

• Corrosion Resistance (7): Very Good

• Ease of Sharpening (6): Moderate

Pros:

• Balanced performance

• Good corrosion resistance

• Moderate ease of sharpening

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15. Myodo H1

• Edge Retention (2): Poor

• Corrosion Resistance (9): Excellent

• Ease of Sharpening (8): Very Easy

Pros:

• Exceptional corrosion resistance

• Does not rust

• Very easy to sharpen

Cons:

• Poor edge retention

• Limited practicality for everyday carry (EDC)

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16. Bohler N680

• Edge Retention (5): Fair

• Corrosion Resistance (8): Very Good

• Ease of Sharpening (6): Moderate

Pros:

• High corrosion resistance

• Fine-grained steel

• Decent edge retention

Cons:

• Doesn't hold an edge as long as some other steels

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Upper-Mid-Range Knife Steels

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17. 440C

• Edge Retention (4): Fair

• Corrosion Resistance (4): Fair

• Ease of Sharpening (6): Moderate

Pros:

• Affordable

• Reasonably tough

• Decent stain resistance

Cons:

• Moderate edge retention

• Overwhelmed by newer super-steels

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18. Aichi AUS-8

• Edge Retention (3): Poor

• Corrosion Resistance (4): Fair

• Ease of Sharpening (8): Easy

Pros:

• Budget-friendly

• Easy to sharpen

• Good corrosion resistance

Cons:

• Limited edge retention

• Falls short of premium performance

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19. Carpenter CTS-BD1

• Edge Retention (4): Fair

• Corrosion Resistance (6): Good

• Ease of Sharpening (6): Moderate

Pros:

• Suitable for various applications

• Reasonable edge retention

• Good corrosion resistance

Cons:

• Requires moderate sharpening effort

• Not as tough as some other steels

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20. Ahonest 8Cr13MoV

• Edge Retention (3): Poor

• Corrosion Resistance (5): Fair

• Ease of Sharpening (8): Easy

Pros:

• Excellent value for money

• Easy to sharpen

• Decent corrosion resistance

Cons:

• Limited edge retention

• Not ideal for heavy-duty tasks

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21. Sandvik 14C28N

• Edge Retention (4): Fair

• Corrosion Resistance (6): Good

• Ease of Sharpening (6): Moderate

Pros:

• Impressive budget steel

• Can achieve a very sharp edge

• Good corrosion resistance

Cons:

• Moderate edge retention

• Best suited for affordable knives

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Lower-Mid-Range Knife Steels

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22. 440A

• Edge Retention (3): Poor

• Corrosion Resistance (5): Fair

• Ease of Sharpening (9): Very Easy

Pros:

• Easy to sharpen

• Affordable

• Limited corrosion resistance

Cons:

• Poor edge retention

• Best for budget blades

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23. Latrobe 420HC

• Edge Retention (3): Poor

• Corrosion Resistance (8): Very Good

• Ease of Sharpening (9): Very Easy

Pros:

• Excellent corrosion resistance

• Easy to sharpen

• Ideal for budget knives and multi-tools

Cons:

• Low edge retention

• Limited to less demanding tasks

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24. Sandvik 13C26

• Edge Retention (3): Poor

• Corrosion Resistance (4): Fair

• Ease of Sharpening (7): Easy

Pros:

• Easy to sharpen

• Budget-friendly

• Moderate corrosion resistance

Cons:

• Limited edge retention

• Competes with other budget steels

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25. Generic 1095

• Edge Retention (3): Poor

• Corrosion Resistance (2): Very Poor

• Ease of Sharpening (8): Very Easy

Pros:

• Tough and resistant to chipping

• Easy to sharpen

• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Very low corrosion resistance

• Requires proper maintenance

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Conclusion

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Choosing the right knife steel is a balancing act between your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize edge retention, corrosion resistance, ease of sharpening, or overall performance, there's a steel that fits the bill. Understanding the characteristics and properties of each steel, along with their pros and cons, empowers knife enthusiasts to make informed decisions when selecting their ideal blade. So, consider your tasks, environment, and maintenance routine carefully, and you'll find the perfect steel to meet your outdoor needs at It's A STEEL.

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