Top 5 budget knife steels, what I chose and why. Did your favorite steel make the list?

Outpost 76 Patreon

Edge retention testing data sheets

As always I appreciate your time and thanks for watching.

[Outpost_]

I may revise this list in light of a recent experience. I forgot how much I liked Aus-10 and I think it should have been in this list.

[jslaughterofthesoul]

I want to add that a random $16 Chinese Schrade mass production model in 9Cr18MoV tested at 60HRC. So there are no excuses for the many blunders we"ve seen from premium priced brands!

[jdnotariano]

1) 420hc/440C
2)9cr18mov
3)12c27n/14c28n
4)D2
5)Aus 8
6)440A/8cr14mov

I consider 154cm and s35vn not budget steels unless you get lucky and find something on sale. I consider $65 and under “budget” knives.

[barkingspider]

Really like the 154CM... I use a Benchmade Griptillion in 154CM for deer hunting. Usually process 4 or more deer with out needing to strop. Thanks for the video!

[-trmxzer-]

5. 12C27
4. 14C28N
3. VG-10
2. BD1N
1. 154CM
This would be my list only because I still can't see S35VN as a budget steel. As long as its still being used as clout to sell knives for an inflated price.

[normal]

It is hard to argue with that list. I feel that BD1N should be in there. I would probably have it bump 9cr18.

[jaystrongbow]

Great list Gerald, love it. I still enjoy a "super steel" knife, Cruwear is my fav .... However, your list is so great because they are all do OK in everyday carry, easily sharpened fast, deburr nice, and strop back easy. Truth be told, my old Crux is s35vn STILL gets an awful lots of pocket time. Thanks for the list Gerald, I pray 9cr buries D2 once and for all. 😎

[jcoolG]

Another great list G! 154cm for the win! 😁
I probably would have thrown VG-10 in there as long as it wasn't from Spyderco.

[Errcyco]

our definition of "budget" differs.. S35VN is modestly even a mid-range.. with most people calling it a High End.

[kraftzion]

One of the channels tested a remette peacock in 9cr18, I believe it was 62.5 if I remember correctly. I bought 2 of them, a black and a blue. I have a spyderco mule coming in aebl(my favorite budget steel). Bbb tested one his was at 62.5. I don't own any 154cm but now I guess I got to get some😂.

[hector_dom]

Interest assessment on S35VN, didn't think of it as you presented it. Nice video. Cheers!!

[jolness]

I think 154 is under rated, especially the pm version

[holdernewtshesrearin]

I like 440C when done right, like Ganzo does, and BD-1 seems alright.
Id go D2 and 14C28N in 3rd and 2nd interchangeably depending on what my requirements are, edge retention or stain resistance. And i mean GOOD D2 not the garbage stuff.
Then id probably go AUS-10A although i dont have much experience with it. It seems solid though. And i would prefer 154CM but i just dont see enough variety in it in the budget class yet.
My top 5.

[jeffreyweber]

My edc is a PM2 S35/brown g10. I really like that steel. Easy to sharpen, gets very sharp, obviously doesn't hold that razor edge for a super long time but easy to touch back up.

[johnscarborough]

In my opinion the main reason S35VN showed up everywhere is the lower cost of manufacturing while still maintaining fairly solid performance in comparison to s30v. I don't have any personal experience of Nitro V but by all accounts it's in the same mix as the Sandvik steels and AEB-L.

[ChateauBeaufort]

Heat treatment is everything… S35VN @ under 60-61 HRC (with CRYO before temper for low retained Austenite) behaves poorly… else, it is excellent steel & very tough, better than COM 154/CM154. Budget knives all too often mean “budget” Heat treatments. 14C28 is easier to Heat treat properly than S35VN, thus is more appropriate for budget knives (bang for the buck). 9Cr18MoV can be quite good: It is really within the 440-C range… BOHLER N-695@ 60-61 HRCis very much equivalent to CM 154: Cudeman does a wonderful job with that steel.

[SpyderTime]

I agree with you completely about S35VN being a budget steel. I have never been that impressed with it. I have a few knives with that steel but I avoid buying anymore. I have always liked S30V much better. Great video.

[evildead]

Great list, love sandvik steels, 154cm is another great one, I love my launch 11

[tariqkamil]

N690/n690co and AUS10A? Cos I’m thinking for what I’m using my knives for and living in the tropics, I don’t need anything above s30v. Hopefully one day u might test some. Best steel learning. Always anticipating ur uploads. Thank you for all the time u put into your posts

[camorakidd_edc]

Personally wouldn't put S35VN or 154cm on a budget list. While you can find them, they are really not common budget steels. Without, mine would be.
1. 14C28/12C27
2. N690/VG-10
3. 440C
4. 1095
5. AUS-8
Especially the sandviks, 440C and AUS-8 are highly underrated. Those are all good steels. 440C and AUS-8 really depend on a decent HT tho. BD1N is also a good one but I don't really have enough experience with it to rank it.