The TOP 10 BEST STEELS For EDC Folding Knives

My opinion on the top 10 best steels for edc folding knives.

---------‐-----------------------------------------------------------

---------‐-----------------------------------------------------------

---------‐-----------------------------------------------------------

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

---------‐-----------------------------------------------------------

Follow me on Instagram @metal_complex

---------‐-----------------------------------------------------------

#METALCOMPLEX #knifeunboxing #knifereview #knives #knife #pocketknife

***DISCLAIMER*** This channel's content is meant for educational purposes only, and encourages the proper/safe use, handling, and understanding of tools.

[NotBrutality-]

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.

[soupistasty]

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.

[michaelwallace]

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.

[tomaszstefanko]

I personally believe that for EDC, steels like 154 CM or 14C28N are the sweet spot for majority of users. Everything above that is more like paying for the potential of the steel rather than actual performance in a normal situations that EDC knives are designed for. It’s like buying a Ferrari just to take it for weekly shoppings. Unless you are a collector (in which case the fact of having a particular steel is a good enough reason), a specialist who needs a particular steel for a particular tasks (in which case your probably have a better tool for the job than EDC knife) or someone who is trying to chop the wood with a pocket knife (in which case you belong more to majority of chimpanzees rather than majority of users), just save the money for something more important in your life and don’t pay extra for the steel you don’t actually need. Of course, it’s not a criticism of this video by any means - I hugely respect your channel, your knowledge and your experience. Just adding my point of view to the mix 🙂 Keep up the great work!

[gordonstevenson]

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.

[terrylocke]

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.

[thechugdude]

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-miyw]

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

[scrick]

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

[rhinosaur.]

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.

[paullmight]

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

[BluetoothBlades]

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

[DMTR]

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.

[jawaring]

14c28n, vg10, and nitro V are my favorites

[Ummmyepp]

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!

[nickmartino]

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

[DuhYaThink]

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 😊

[romandulce]

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.

[ahoyt]

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….

[fg_josh]

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.