I have been watching these knife reviews and videos for about 18 months to a year. I just stumbled on your channel about 2 or 3 months ago and I have learned more from your videos than I had in all the videos I had watched before with the exception of one guy. I have learned quite a bit from him in the 4 months or so I have been watching his channel. I could have learned more but I would have to spend more time keeping up with all his content. He put a lot of stuff out. I just want to thank you for teaching me so much in a rather short time. Your videos are more dense with information, without all the bullshit and useless filler. I also don't find myself wondering if what you are telling me is true or not. That is a common occurance elsewhere.

You know MC was excited when there's spittle...and he defends Jorts....

@metal_complex

10 ай бұрын

Haha

@P.W.R.

10 ай бұрын

When the sputum's a flying you know its quite excitin'. lol

@Errcyco

10 ай бұрын

Jorts rule

@Errcyco

2 ай бұрын

Jorts are dope

Spyderco ZDP 189. Endura. Daily Carry for a little over 7 years. It just works for me. It's developed a patina over the years but never rusted. Really not that hard to sharpen. Great edge retention. As for the Endura, I had to sand down the hump ( completely remove it) at the middle finger to make it comfortable to use.

I love a lot of those steels for various reasons, right now I'm rocking the xm18 3.5 in s45vn.

I love your videos, they make my day. Thank you for being you. 👍

My #1 EDC steel is S90V. It's the ultimate combo of compromises for the normal, everyday EDC uses in my life. Not sure if I just got great examples of heat treat, but never had any issues the few times I've had to sharpen my S90V knives. Love it! In fact, can't wait to try to secure the mirror polished S90V blade on the upcoming Boa by A.C.! Such a gorgeous finish that I've never seen on S90V before. Side note: I also love, love S60V! Not sure why it's almost totally ignored by the knife makers of the world. I only have 1 knife with it (a Maverick Customs Evo Harpoon) and it's phenomenal.

Lolll I was just watching your old video on this topic yesterday. Thanks for the update, sir!

My favorite steels that I own and use are Maxamet, S110V, Cru Wear, Magnacut, and CTS-XHP, CPM-4V (fixed blade hard use), and S35VN.

Complex. We agree on your favorite steel. Absolutely Vanax. But an honorable mention would be LC200N. Just my thoughts.

S30V has been put through hell on my military, for years. Still stands up well. Go back to 154, that still works very well. That said, it’s cool to have examples of all different steels and observe the differences.

Always interesting sir! I like all the super steel innovations of the last decade or so. Still looking for the "One".

Metal complex I have to agree with you 100%. Your listing of these steels from worse to the best for EDC is spot on I think.

Could you do a video on strops and stropping? It's something that's talked about alot but I've always struggled with seeing the benefits when I do it myself. Cheers MC!

Good video. My all-time favorite blade steel is CPM CRUWEAR. My Spyderco Manix 2XL is in this and it seems to be the sharpest factory edge I've ever seen and it holds that edge very well, I live in the mountains of southern California so rust is not a concern but man I love this stuff.

@adamimberti6948

10 ай бұрын

#cruwearcrew

Great topic for a top 10 video 🤙

K390 was super hyped for a while which lead me to buy a few Spydercos in it. I love it as a casual carry. The edge retention is great. But I found it too impractical to use while doing hard work outside. Not because it's weak but because it corrodes so easily. I was doing yard work for 8+ hours during a hot day (95-100 degrees with high humidity) and by the end of the day I pulled it out and it was covered in rust. I had to soak it in CLR. 😂

@Mike-mi3yw

10 ай бұрын

I love k390, but for sure there are downsides

I like my 154-cm with the bos heat treat, I have had the mini deploy in my pocket for a week and im loving it, heavy use everyday not a scuff

Im glad to see you've changed your view on s90v, my first experience with it was on that teal pm2, and i love it, holds an edge great and is noticeable tougher than 20cv. As always geeat video MC.

Always in the CA Delta corrosion resistant is a must. I sent my Crucarta back for a all black Pm2 in S45VN!

Magnacut serrated edge native 5 lw. And a s30v Native Chief are my daily carry. Cpm20cv is just fine. Haven’t had a problem with it. Still love CpmCruwear 😊

I bought the Hogue Deka in Magnacut to try out the new super steel, and now I found myself looking at other knives because it works so well for me….

@KnifeFeind

5 ай бұрын

Hogue does magnacut right. Some do not, but hogue and surprisingly Kershaw and Benchmade all heat treat it right. 63-64 Rockwell is the best you can do. 62 is passable, but anything lower really takes away from edge retention.

@pooder53

2 ай бұрын

​@J_O_N_Butler so you're just gonna act like spyderco doesn't exist? Lol protech does it right at 63-64 too

@KnifeFeind

2 ай бұрын

@@pooder53 you're right. Those companies do have excellent heat treatment for the steels they produce, but I was replying to a comment about Hogue, not Spyderco or ProTech, or any of the other dozen or so companies that do the same thing. I didn't mention any of those because they were irrelevant to the original comment. I mentioned a couple others, but that's definitely not an exclusive list. My bad if I made it sound that way.

S90v,M4,154cm,1095, and 20cv are my most used and seem to work the best for my use case scenario!!!! S45vn also!!!

My gods!! While not something I'd put my $ on(not that I could afford this at this point lol)I have to say this knife is just beautiful!! Everything has been done so so well, thanks for the look and for all the great videos

I absolutely love my 15v shaman but after working a 16 hours shift at the refinery, i put it on my dresser and when i checked it out the next morning it had some rust spots from the sweat and humidity. I also before hand, applied a coat of knife shield as well, but the edge retention is unparalleled

I’ve been having nothing but great results with SPY27, 154cm/cpm-154, 14c28n, s30v/s35vn/s45vn, and cts-xhp. I like magnacut so far, but don’t have enough time using it (I have a pretty big rotation) across enough models to give it a ringing endorsement. But I do like what I have been seeing. I don’t really go in for 20cv/m390/204p anymore.

I still am quite fond of higher end tool steels, 3V, 4v, 10v, M4, Cru-Wear are my favs. Vanadis 4E is up there too. Keep them oiled and clean, they won't oxidize so much. Having said that, I really like Magnacut. I got the Kunwu Tao 2 after seeing your vid a while back - it was like $220. Crazy good price.

@soupistasty5

10 ай бұрын

For the high grade tool steels, 10V and Cru-Wear are my favs. Very, very tough. Amazing on fixed blades and folders alike.

That was a solid 9/10 on the slap! 😂 great share I been nerding out on steels recently so this was interesting to see you take!

Mine are; s90v, Elmax, Nirtobe 77, Magnacut, s125v, Cruwear (and CPR which is like a stainless, non PM cruwear), Aeb-l (also 14c28n and Nitro -V), m398 (only one knife but it's amazing), k390/10V/Vanadis 10 class and lastly XHP. Honorable mentions are zdp 189, SG2, Vanax SC, Vanax 75 and Z-max, all which i only have one knife in (same with Nitrobe 77 and m398 but the knives and heat treat on them are 🔥) so i can only give them so much love from the little experience.

I love my PM2 in 52100. It’s like a game trying to keep it from pitting. Tough and easy to sharpen. I’m a carbon steel guy. 3V, M4, 15V all are great in the right situation.

1) magnacut 2) Elmax 3) k390 4) CPM-154 5) 15V as a token 5th but I still haven’t used it enough. 6) S90V 7) CTS-XHP tied with M4 and S45VN 8) 14c28n

I really appreciate the approach. Edge retention isn't the overall characteristic. With a good sharpening stone and strop, you can easily return a knife to a razor edge.

I've got a yojumbo sprint run in S90V and I love it.

Great range! TRM Shadow and RSK Mini deserve a mention as ridiculously good EDCs. The Harsey is such a weirdly amazing EDC!!! It should actually be too big or too heavy duty but my some miracle it carries just right

Cruwear is my top tool steel due to its balance, and S90V my top stainless due to its outstanding edge retention. I could live with just those two. But I also love the S30V, S35VN, S45VN siblings. They're well balanced reliable steels. 3V is so tough and sharpens up so easily. M4 requires maintenance but its toughness/edge retention is great. 20CV is great because of its outstanding corrosion resistance and great edge retention, but it is on a pedestal. I haven't tried Magnacut or Vanax yet but look very impressive.

@ohmmygod4963

10 ай бұрын

Pretty much the same but I would have to add Elmax and 154cm to the list too! I also haven't tried S90v/S110v (pretty much because Metal Complex said it was Crap LOL), Magnacut, VANAX or RWL34 (I just Love the Finish that can be put on it, and it's a great steel too! 👍) amongst the Steels I most want to try next Purchase(s).... But I just LOVE my PM2 in Cru-Wear, aside from a little imperfection on the tip, which needs to be resharpened, it's AMAZING! (So glad I went for the Cru-Wear PM2 instead of another Steel...🎉) P.S: Am I the only one who doesn't care AT ALL for M390/M398? 😂

@adamimberti6948

10 ай бұрын

I love cruwear. It sharpens up so nice across a few different knives I've got from different makers. It strops back easily and it is surprisingly stainless for the specs on paper.... I rust everything I touch and my crucarta pm2 has been my edc/work knife/fishing folder for about a year now and it only has a few tiny rust spots on it that all but disappear with a quick clean. Not outstanding edge retention but it's such a pleasure to sharpen I kinda look forward to it going dull cause I get to see how crazy an edge I can get on it again.

As far as vanax - I think the best comparison for ease of sharpening is well treated cpm-154. It’s a joy to sharpen.

Love the D&D reference!

Picked up the teal Paramilitary2 in s90v on sale for 145 and I love it.

My Griptilian in 20cv is a pain to sharpen. Right now loving me some coated M4, and s45vn. Gonna have to get me some magnacut here soon.

I have a ZT 0308 in 20CV that's been excellent for me. I sharpen it to 30 deg. I don't know if it has a soft heat treatment, but it's relatively easy to sharpen and holds its edge without needing to be touched up as frequently as many others in my small collection.

@acid6urns

10 ай бұрын

i have a 20cv deka and it sharpens pretty easy for what it is honestly

I have knives in cpm-154, s45vn, s30v, m4, cruwear, 20cv, 3v and many more. Since the introduction of Magnacut, my magnacut mordax has been in my pocket almost everyday. The overall usability and toughness are unmatched as of now. Coated M4, 20cv and Magnacut are my top 3 currently.

@Errcyco

10 ай бұрын

For broke people.. 154CM is pretty great. It’s been the most reliable for me on budget stuff.

@fg4_josh

10 ай бұрын

@@Errcyco funny enough its my most common steel in my collection, my first “high end knife” was a griptillian in 154cm and I love that knife, forsure the best all around steel when including price.

Maxamet is my favorite. I have it on a native lw and it's the only knife steel that I have actually noticed a difference in, using a knife day to day.

I just got the Kiser knife and I love it

Thanks for the education, that's one thing I have had very limited knowledge on is steel types. I'm a traditionally trained goldsmith of 15 years and have recently been thinking about branching into the blacksmithing realm

@SnoopyReads

10 ай бұрын

Make a gold knife

@GreymanEDC

10 ай бұрын

@@SnoopyReads haha might be able to do one in silver , gold would be too expensive for my means 😆 but now you have me thinking..... sterling silver drop point gravity knife with some wicked engraving on the entire knife...hmmm might have to give it a try

Cts xhp is functionally the same as s35vn, but with improved edge retension. If you wanna get some, its on the Spartan Astor

Great video and topic! This is awesome info from a collector who has a lot of experience with lots of knives. Very helpful. As a collector I am trying to obtain at least one knife in every steel but I have so many in S30V and S35VN because my favorite knife makers use this steel so much. I love both of these steels but I also like the other mid grade and premium steels mentioned here.

Agreed 👌 drift 2 and tao SHEEPSFOOT are one of my favourites

Completely agree with your 20cv criticism. It is SOOOO easy to chip.

@anthonyberardi8904

10 ай бұрын

Yeah that’s why most companies don’t run it over 60 hrc, because the customer ain’t always right

I had the opposite experience with non-stainless steels that you had. was super anti- anything that was not stainless, and then I started working somewhere where i was constantly cutting cardboard, foam, and plastic pallet straps. all of a sudden Maxamet became a lot more appealing than Magnacut lol. I just try to clean it off with wd40 every now and then. but no need for such a steel for my edc knives.

I have the Elementum in d2 and it holds a great edge for plenty long for me. Love the way the micarta wears

What do you think k of the quitecarry vanax. Now I want one just would like your opinion before I buy one

Recently bought the blurple s110v para 3…it’s amazing

After finally branching out from d2, pretty much anything stainless and holds an edge better than 9cr is my favorite, although I have recently been focusing on trying to get more 14c or 154cm knives. I really like the way 154 sharpens up.

@tbrowniscool

10 ай бұрын

LC200N is incredible for you use, it sharpens really easily and wont corrode at all. An its a cool grey colour as it uses nitrogen instead of carbon. Only a couple forges in the world that can make it too. :) UKPK

@tastiefreeeze

10 ай бұрын

I've been tracking the opposite way honestly, coming from 154cpm and S30VN, I'm starting to really appreciate the 'simpler' steels like D2, 440C, C75, and XC90. I just don't see the point of a $300 knife that does 10-15% more than a $30-60 tool steel does when I can replace them multiple times over for less cost and they will sharpen easier.

Great list MC! Thanks for the info.

I Love S90V! I have the Benchmade OG Altitude, and I use it to skin, de-bone, and cut up my deer every year. Never have to stop to sharpen, just keeps cutting and have never had it chip on me!

14c28n, vg10, and nitro V are my favorites

@masterrai5921

10 ай бұрын

14c28n, n690 and aeb-l but hey similar choices

@alphadawg81

10 ай бұрын

I agree but would ad S35VN, AEB-L, and AR-RPM9. But also 440C has still a place in my heart.

@Kanotoa

10 ай бұрын

Why do you like nitro v? I have a synergy 4 that has it but I haven't heard much about it. I read a little and it seems good.

@jawaring4367

10 ай бұрын

@@Kanotoa it's a solid steel, especially since it's available on cheaper knives. compared to the 14c28n it's a little better all around and a little more expensive.

@masterrai5921

10 ай бұрын

nitro-v is upgraded aeb-l, like n690 and upgraded n690co

Dude you still carry the code4 I give that amazing like year ago I’m very happy you still have that knife

Always really liked s35vn, but since i got my CRKT Redemption I've fallen in love with Magnacut!🤘

How do you compare vanax to say LC200N? Are they similar? LC is often advertised as rust proof, and has pretty good edge retention as I understand

I went kizer for my S90v with the kormorant!? Thoughts?

Im now running under the assumption that the Excaliber is gonna be made in s90v. I'd have guessed Vanax, but you aren't gonna go with that. I think you are gonna go with something with more of a range. ...and my fav knife steel is the one thats in my pocket at any given time. 14c28n and s35 have really impressed me though. But both of those knives are little slicers with hollow grinds, so....

Just looking . Thanks

Good video. I stashed this away on on my phone for reference. Does anyone make fillet knives out of Vanax? Seems like a good idea but boy wouldn't it be expensive.

I was thinking about buying the skallywag d2 knife for self defense, just curious about d2 steel in hot climates ( I live in the Caribbean)… many people swear it rusts easily, others that It’ s so close to stai less steel that it’s impossible for it to rust… it’ s really confusing

For me its spyderco's Rex45!!! Not very corrosion resistant but it's got excellent edge stability, toughness and it's edge retention is about the same as 204p because of its High hardness I.E. HRC 67.

I agree with vanax I think it's as easy to sharpen as 440c. It's pretty tough also.

Never tried vanax, my favorite edc steels lately are elmax, cruwear, s90v though

I just got my Chad in PM60 and dude it's hard as Hell to touch up. Reminds me of s90v

wish they would build the pm3 in cru wear... but my s30v unit keeps on trucking

Kinda wanna know what the jean short rant was about man...

I live in Southeastern North Carolina, where you sweat just by standing outside and Live 3 miles from the ocean. I have not had any problems with knives I carry and use that are non-stainless. I just keep up on my maintenance.

I like Elmax and 1095. They are so tough and easy to sharpen back to a razor.

I don't think I even have 10 different knife steels. I'm a big fan of 154cm tho. Probably for the very reasons you mentioned. Stupid easy to sharpen and it takes a wicked sharp edge.

I share Pete from Cedric and Ada's view on corrosion resistance. I just carry it and use it and it might discolor or rust but from a total user perspective it makes absolutely no difference, the knife keeps cutting and working. I'm sure if you were totally irreverent of the fact that it's not stainless and did stuff like let lemon juice dry on it or never clean or oil it it might damage the blade but even my heavily used Voyager in Aus 8 has some pitting and discoloration from doing just that.

I give tool steels more love than you do, as they have good balance. 10v and m4 are my favorites. Magnacut, s90v, and vanax round out my top five favorites

What is the exact name of the one before last s90v? The one with the green lock

Personal fav : the old, legendary Cold Steel " CarbonV " discovered by accident, favorite due to over 25 years of experience.

big fan of my s90v bugout

cruwear, m4, 3v, nitro v, 14c28n , bd1n in my experiences are my favorite

Can you make text list of your favorite steels?

If you would modernize a bit and use high quality diamond impregnated stones such as Veneve, you would find that sharpening steels with medium to high vanadium content is a breeze. You can sharpen steels such as m390, 20cv and sv90 faster on such stones than 440 c on a norman alu. oxide stone. Only takes seconds not an hour. Same with the strop. Loose the green compound and switch to diamond stropping solutions. Welcome to the modern World! KnifeMaker

How do we know how a particular knife is heat treated?

Cruwear, Maxamet, Lc200n

Anyone else have problems with Benchmade s90v? Im still debating whether or not to send mine in.... Holds a working edge well, but will go from hair popping to struggling with anything other than printer paper after cutting meat/veggies on a plastic cutting board. At like an 18 degree angle, not super thin or anything. I talked to customer service about it and they heavily implied it was my sharpening lol (Ive done w/diamond stones on worksharp, by hand on Shapton stones, and by hand on small diamond stones). Is it worth sending it in to have them test hardness? or will they just put a new edge on it and send it back

S90v at 63-64 is great when it has a proper heat treatment with multiple temper cycles and cryo. Its not chippy and holds an edge for a long time. Third only to m398 and the queen of stainless steels s125v. S90v at 59-60 isnt bad, it's better than m390 at the same hardness, but it can do so much more.

A lot of talk of m390 to just leave it off the list 😂 .. 💯 14c28n is my favorite work knife steel!

@Bapao76

10 ай бұрын

Yeah, he hates the stuff, so it's understandable /s

@chadca201

2 ай бұрын

20cv is m390 he says it right at the start it was number 10

Some of us broke bois appreciate what metalergy you can pass on! Layman times a billion here. Love the steel info

It may not be the best, but I really like Cruwear. It is a great user steel much like 154CM and 14C28N.

I'm convinced that D2 and cr13mov are the best. They perform great, and IF they break, oh well. S30V if you feel like a "premium beater".

Im waiting on some gunny juice to put a dual grit finish on this wharnie deka in magnacut.. apparently this edge's performance is mind blowing.

where's the link to that Larrin (?) Thomas stuff on edge retention vs steel type?

@metal_complex

10 ай бұрын

Google "Knife Steel Nerds edge retention" and "Knife Steel Nerds best budget steel". Two great reads

I love ctx-xhp

@Cyanoblades

10 ай бұрын

It takes a wicked sharp mirror polish, it's a great steel.

10/10 on logo slap

The best "optimal results" steel I tried so far is the 14c28n Sandvik. Nice edge retention, tolerates abuse, easy to sharpen... Sadly my only Sandvik knife is faulty and no matter how many times I adjust it, no matter how often I disassemble and reassemble it - it will get blade play, dometimes after 10 or so cycles of opening and closing. First it was only sideways, but recently it became up-and-down, too. The only way to prevent it is to tighten it so much it needs to be pushed (against lash) to open or close. So I'm stuck with Nitro-V and D2. I like both, but get only black stonewash D2. Need to get a new Sandvik knife soon. Of the stuff I own, the steel that is absolutely the worst to deal with for EDC m(aside from no-name "Stainless Steel" crap on cheapo knives) is 1066. It's a Soviet steel developed for leaf springs, and it is high carbon, very springy (duh!) steel with negligent corrosion resistance. While it is arguably good for what it's made for, on a knife it literally rusts before your eyes if even a hint of moisture is near. 90 minutes in a pocket is enough to turn shinetown into tetanusville. Don't get me wrong, it is a good steel, cuts well and retains good edge, but it requires way too much maintenance to be efficient as an EDC blade material. P.S. I recently obtained a pair of jean shorts - the skater variant - and they are great for EDC. No complaints.

@Yuzuki1337

10 ай бұрын

Mate grab a Ruike P801 and take a file or some sandpaper to the scales and you'll have a companion for life. :)

@ThatImmo

10 ай бұрын

@@Yuzuki1337 but the Ruike p801 axtually IS the knife that is irreparably broken :(

@Yuzuki1337

10 ай бұрын

@@ThatImmo Aww that's unfortunate. :( Did you Locktite the pivot screw? I heard that fixed that issue for many people.

@ThatImmo

10 ай бұрын

@@Yuzuki1337 as for pivot, there are only two "settings" - wobbly blade or so tight it fails to deploy and has to be pushed against the crunchy lash to close. Tried to dial in a perfect compromise - impossible. And adding a threadlocker will only make a bad setting semi-permanent. It's the framelock's lock bar that's damaged, anyway. At one deployment it locks at 30% only to lock at 60% at the other. Plus the lockup amount changes while changing the way the knife is being held, e.g. when starting to CUT (which is sad because that's what the knife is for ;)). I think I got a lemon which is now self-damaging. I don't trust full-sized framelock knives anymore. I think I will replace this particular knife with something made of 14C28N and either more renowned (like Civivi Riffle) or more badass (like Kubey Monsterdog).

@Yuzuki1337

10 ай бұрын

@@ThatImmo That's disappointing to hear, I never had any issues with mine and wholly agree with you on the blade steel. FWIW all my Civivis have been flawless too so I'd assume you to be very happy with yours if you go that route. :) Good luck on finding your next blade and may it serve you better!

Teal pm 2 is a beast out of the box. Phenomenal price at 165.00

Lol.... I picked up the teal pm2 last night for black friday sale. Then I saw your video on s90v not being good and was like damit.

Not me, up until this video excited about my Elementum II push button and Vision FG in Nitro-V 🤣

D2 is the best EDC steel for me. I have a big collection of EDC blades, s30v, s35vn, m390, s90v and others. And I do use my blades a lot, because I run a flower shop with my wife. And by now my favourite EDC blade is one of my cheapest, the Petrified Fish pf818 in D2 (a very effective design)... Why D2 ? Because it's cheap, holds an edge really well and it's easy to fix. And I'm not afraid to lose it or brake it. To me the EDC knife culture went in two different groups. First group are knives that are meant to be actually used every day. And the second group is the expensive jewellery fancy steel knives that people are afraid to use, and have them just as quality machined mechanism, more like a toy. I never saw hard working men (construction or other job) using a 200$+ knife... And if you look at knives under 70$ (a working knife should not cost more) D2 is king in that range.

@jocemarine6247

Ай бұрын

You are soooo right. Medford are selling knifes over 400.00 in D2. I own many knifes in different steels and I would never abuse my Ultra premium. For day to day best steels are D2, 154CM, 14C28N, and Nitro V

@davidf3974

Ай бұрын

My go to for edc is my s45vn pm2, followed by a d2 sencut and 8cr Byrd. I hate 8cr, have to sharpen it every week.

@jocemarine6247

Ай бұрын

Bang. The right answer. People that are just talking about S90, Elmax, Rex, and other aliens steels, the majority don't work with their knifes. It's jewellery. I own magnacut, S90 k390, m390 and 80% of the time, I carry my Qubit 😂😂😂

I work in an extremely corrosive work environment, what steel would have the best chance at surviving?

Random knife enthusiast writing here. My top ten would be, from 10 to number one : AN-58 1.4116 XC75 12C27 14C28N 440C D2 N690Co 154Cm AR-RPM9

When the voice doesn’t fit the “jacked up” dad look 😂 good on you bud .