Blade Steel Comparison

[5MilesBack]

Yes, without question, that class of steel doesn't hold a candle to what is available.

It doesn't have to "hold a candle to what is available", it just has to get the job done to my (or anyone else's) satisfaction. If my worthless knife gets through a bull without dulling, I'm satisfied. Lamborghini's don't make all other vehicles worthless either.

 

[sndmn11]

It doesn't have to "hold a candle to what is available", it just has to get the job done to my (or anyone else's) satisfaction. If my worthless knife gets through a bull without dulling, I'm satisfied. Lamborghini's don't make all other vehicles worthless either.

But they might make the Miata worthless to the person who appreciates the Lamborghini. I am happy you like your knife. I think the original question was about a comparison of steels, so I answered.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I really like this chart:

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[Lawnboi]

My post wasn’t meant as an attack at s30V knives. They all work. But you don’t really get a feel until you start playing with them all. Here’s the kitchen spread

 

[kpbrown31]

Truth be told, I’ve gone to exclusively using the outdoor edge replaceable blade knife for all field dressing; the weight savings, never-worry edge, and keeping things clean with frequent swap outs has made me a believer over the last 6 years. And my favorite fixed blade hunting knife that zipped through elk like butter was an old buck vanguard s30v with the Bos heat treatment…like butter

If I'm around the house and skinning animals then I'm okay with the smaller blades, but I don't like the risk of accidently cutting myself while changing blades in the backcountry. Although a small risk, not something I want to risk losing a couple of days traveling back to town and missing out on hunting time.

And something about a fixed blade just feels more real than disposable blades

 

[kpbrown31]

spend a little more for the better steel IMO.

Are you saying s90v better steel...or something else?

 

[kpbrown31]

Try this guy https://ridgebelts.com/products/ultralight-smoke-grey-ridge-blade

I am putting a handle on one as we speak and it is every bit the knife an altitude is.

I've always thought about doing something like this. Never have been a fan of paracord handles, but considered putting my own on. Is there enough steel there to securely support a wooden handle?

 

[manitou1]

If you are in the $200+\- range, you might look at Bark River knives. They offer Elmax, S3, S30v,S90vS45v,s35v, A2 blades on their knives.

 

[kpk]

Are you saying s90v better steel...or something else?

I just wouldn't get s30v.
S90v is a serious step up.

 

[Mpw20]

My vote goes to Magnacut and 3v. In my non scientific testing they field dress, skin and breakdown deer better than the other steel mentioned here. That said every butcher I’ve ever watched uses regular kitchen knives and a steel to produce same or better results.

 

[Kobuk]

Several years ago I was having trouble keeping an edge on my 5 or 6 high carbide blades. I could get then sharp but it seemed to dull easy. I started reading on one of the blade forums and learned what was going on. The Readers Digest version is that I was getting the "other" steel sharp but not the carbides in the steel. It is impossible to sharpen and takes something harder than a stone to sharpen carbide like a diamond plate. After I bought diamond plates for my Apex Pro, it made all the difference in the world. My currently used hunting knife is made from M390 steel and I don't need to touch it in the field. The most use with this particular blade in one season was skinning and quartering 2 moose and 2 caribou. This was with two of us working on the animals together so not all with my knife. But I would use my knife for cutting down the back hide and neck which on a moose is crazy tough and thick. Even after the season it felt just as sharp but I still re-hone it because I want it as sharp as possible and also I enjoy doing it! I have had great luck with S30v, Elmax and M390 once I learned how to properly sharpen them. I don't own a blade with S90V so can't comment.