I think the type of steel and how the knife will be used is going to dictate the steel choice.
For me, even though I started making knives out of high carbon, non stainless steels like O-1 and 1095, I have moved towards stainless. I like my knives out of CTS-XHP and M390. AEB-L works great but like some people have said there are no carbides so it takes more sharpening in the field.
A problem with using some of the fancier steels like XHP and M390 is that they work awesome at high hardness. So if you are in the field and have to sharpen your knife, it will take a diamond stone. If the knife was made right, has the correct geometry and heat treat, you can get through a few elk/ deer without sharpening it.
So keep a few knives in the pack just so I don't have to sharpen anything, if sharpening is needed.
For me, even though I started making knives out of high carbon, non stainless steels like O-1 and 1095, I have moved towards stainless. I like my knives out of CTS-XHP and M390. AEB-L works great but like some people have said there are no carbides so it takes more sharpening in the field.
A problem with using some of the fancier steels like XHP and M390 is that they work awesome at high hardness. So if you are in the field and have to sharpen your knife, it will take a diamond stone. If the knife was made right, has the correct geometry and heat treat, you can get through a few elk/ deer without sharpening it.
So keep a few knives in the pack just so I don't have to sharpen anything, if sharpening is needed.
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