KnifeCenter FAQ #87: How To Choose The Right Steel

Get ready, because we’re diving into just what to look for in your choice of blade steel. Plus, we talk the difference between onlays, inlays and scales, plus what makes a more durable pocket clip. And apart from the whip and hat, what does Indiana Jones carry as an EDC?

Featured Knives

0:00 Intro
0:53 Choosing the Right Blade Steel for the Job
12:54 Onlays, Inlays and Scales, Plus Thumb Openings
15:33 Searching for a More Durable Pocket Clip
16:32 Eastern VS Western Tantos
17:09 The Indiana Jones Pocket Knife

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[OldBadger]

Almost all steels work well for most uses. From 5cr15 and 420j all the way up to the new "super steels". The most important? Heat treat, after that? Edge geometry. 50 year knife enthusiast, military, trail guide, chef and sharpening business owner.

[conjandysecurity]

154CM will always be my ‘general use’ fave.

[johnsanko]

Here's my thought on it: our fathers and grandfathers would carry simple knives with basic steels for years and years. Sure, they'd get sharpened down and might end up a lot smaller than when they started, but they still did the job.

Now, our steels are much better, and even more basic metals like D2 are better than what was available to our fathers and grandfathers. It's easy to get "lost in the weeds" obsessing over metal comparisons, but the reality is that most modern knives will have very good steel, and as long as you take care of them will last you for years.

[jacobpeterson]

I love the 14c, AEB-L, and nitro-v range of steels. They are just incredibly balanced. Love 3v, s35, 80crv2 and a2

[MyKnifeJourney]

I love these episodes. Get to see so many different and interesting knives I may not have known about. I enjoy the drill downs and off topic info equally

[ironman]

My Benchmade has 154CM. Been a great blade for my needs. Keeps and edge, easy to re-sharpen.

[matthewadler]

I wasn't even aware of that Boker Mono there at the end. That is one hell of stag handle, and with the German made Boker quality and a CPM-Cruwear blade...If I had that kinda money to drop on a traditional (or any knife for that matter) I think that would be the classic style slip joint in my rotation. I can just imagine being able to pass that down to the next generation (probably my nephew since I have no kids, but who knows...that might still happen too) Great episode! You guys have truly made the greatest knife distributor channel in the world, and I would go as far as saying the best knife channel period. There are knife YouTubers out there doing an incredible job, but I don't think any of them consistently offer content that brings me as much pleasure as KnifeCenter. I simply cannot imagine my life without these videos to look forward to. Thank You.

[kennymckown]

Thanks uncle David ! I love it when Thomas has you growing in the weeds ! Fantastic !

[excat]

Elmax, S45VN and 3V are my overall favorites. Once MagnaCut becomes more available, it may slip in there, but edge retention isn't a big one for me, I enjoy maintaining my knives, and honestly anything higher on the quality spectrum than your lower alphabet soups holds an edge a pretty long time. I currently have 1 knife in MagnaCut, and haven't had to sharpen it yet so it's still on a factory edge. I'll see how it feels after I put my first edge on it.

Also, to me, I'd rather have a knife that dulls slightly faster than a knife that breaks or chips and you have to worry about. That's one of the reasons I'm personally not a huge fan of the full flat D2/M390 trend. I would much prefer something with a little more meat behind the edge with those steels, but I also use my knives, not a single one of them is a safe queen. All of them from my CRKs to Shiro's to midtech ADVs, they get carried and used.

[jamesbarry]

my usage is generally not much more than zipping open a box or trimming elecrical wire or cutting some string, so for me 8cr13mov is just fine, it gets crazy sharp and is very easy to sharpen all i need to do is touch up my edge every couple of days on a cutlery steel, and its super sharp again. i really dont have to do a full resharpen very often. ...i like it!

[jameswilson]

You know what DCA, this comment has nothing to do with knives. I've had a trying day and your voice is about the ONLY voice I can handle today. Thanks bro. Oh yeah, cool video. Aloha. 🤙😎

[ShidenByakko]

Hi David (and Seth, if that helps),

My first question was answered brilliantly, so here I go again! Hope you can help me out with another one similar to my 1st question:

I'm looking for a folding knife, with the following features:
1) Flipper (that becomes a "guard")
2) Axis, Button or Similar Cross-Bar Lock (**MUST** be bank-vault, bomb-proof strong)
3) Thumb Hole, either oval or round, doesn't matter, but **MUST** have it...
4) About 3" or more Blade Length
5) Pointy, not Wharncliffe, but needs some belly.
6) Optional, but would be game-winning: Full Flat Grind, finger choil, assist or bearings in the pivot and Deep Carry Pocket Clip
7) See if you can recommend me a budget and a premium version each.

Thanks so much!

[b-si]

That. Was. Great! Congrats on being a Father now, and good explaining of the when's & why's of blade steels👍
Loved the q & a!!

[BrewCityRider]

Great job covering that blade steel segment. I suppose the one thing you could have added in generalities is bang for buck. In other words, does the performance between the exotic or pace-setter steels and the tried and true 10XX high carbons, and 4XX-SS's, etc., really justify the huge price difference. For me the answer is no, but some collectors just want the latest and greatest, which is fine too. Like my car dealer dad used to say, there's an ass for every seat, and a seat for every ass.

[catfishcave]

When Thomas puts up the weeds graphic we know the really good stuff is coming!

[MrBeefy-ognw]

The question of the pocket clips hits home. I've had a ZT 452cf for years and have bent the clip nearly 90° 3 or 4 times and was able to not only bend it back in place but also adjust the shape a bit to prevent it from catching on things.
About 8 months ago I got a Hogue X5. The first time I snagged it on a strap the clip broke off near the attachment screws. There is no fixing this.
Both knives are at similar price points so I expected similar quality. Nope. The worst part is nobody evaluates clips in knife reviews other than tip up or down. I really wish clips were given more attention. If you buy a $200 to $300 knife the clip shouldn't snap like a piece if cast pot metal. I shouldn't have to but after market clips, and by no means do I want to put it in a sheath.
I know your first question took time to answer, but I would love to see you do a whole episode on clips, or at least spend some more time on this. While the milled clip you showed seems a good solution there are other options and factors that can be considered. And maybe you could mass email all of your suppliers and tell them to make good clips? Ok maybe not, but I do feel this is an important issue that manufacturers need to address across the board but in most cases treat as an after thought.
Keep up the good work. I love these videos and the new this week vids.

[bardpitt]

Very helpful video! I’ve found I love S35VN and S45VN the satin finishes make them beautiful and razor sharp!

[mstalcup]

I have been impressed by the tungsten carbide with cobalt used in Sandrin Knives' blades. Of course it isn't steel. I also like CPM REX 45, which is also significantly high in cobalt. I find these materials great for cutting fibrous material, avoiding edge encounters with metal or stone. I've never tried sharpening the tungsten carbide, but the CPM REX 45 takes a fantastic edge with diamond stones.

[marsarmory]

Not a huge benchmade fan but the mini Adamas is a fantastic knife. Definitely a top 5 knife to come out in recent years imo.

[arrowheadguys]

Hi DCA! Good to hear your voice back to normal! For the record, I am totally on board with an hour+ knife steel lecture. Just think of all the knives you could pull from the warehouse for that one!

BTW kind of cool seeing the layout on the table and already having almost half the knives you have laid out. Makes life easier on my wallet, especially since I know of a couple drops coming next week that aren't going to be cheap on my knife budget lol.