What Kind of Edge For ____ Steel? What Steel & What Edge

[@lerch400block]

I'm only a few minutes in and I've already took away an amazing point. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Thanks

[@PrecYsely]

My wife just bought me a tsprof k03 pro for my bday, now i have to learn more about sharpening , this video and those like it are greatly appreciated

[@jarrettm3728]

Got the same system lmk if u have any questions neeves vids ste incredibly helpful

[@Riyame]

Might be important to mention the grit scale you are referring to, guessing it is along the lines of FEPA F or what the Venev stones from Gritomatic are rated in. 1200 FEPA F is around 4000 JIS, or ~4500 FEPA P. Just in case a newer sharpener gets a 1000 grit Japanese stone and thinks they are getting a "fine" stone. F2000 is around 8k JIS.

[@malcolmholt2010]

I wish everyone just went with microns, much simpler and universal

[@Arkie407]

Yeah, i'm getting confused amongst all those non corresponding numbering systems 😕😖🙈

[@EDCandLace]

Micron needs to the standard, to many different grit scales around and it just causes issues for people that aren't well versed in abrasives.

[@AKAB_22]

Do you know if Shaptons use FEPA or JIS?

[@ShadowWhippler]

i was wondering this, i have stones from 240, upto 10 000 grit. And 1500 is propably the lovest i would even considering finishing a sharpening job.

[@Acuteknife]

Thank you for sharing Jared. You are a beast and a gentleman. The community appreciates you.

[@erict149]

Awesome, informative video! My sharpening skills and steel knowledge are still at the stage where I sharpen pretty much all my blades basically the same, save for some slightly different angles. I'll be referring to this video quite often in the future. Thanks man! ✌

[@barearms7598]

I've learned so much from you as I'm new to all this. Can build a custom 1911 but screwed up a good knife before watching you and Kara

[@johnpawly1849]

You have so much knowledge I am going to save this video I learn so much I can’t believe how hard it is to retain it Thanks for taking your time to share your knowledge

[@nebulamask81]

Very nice info. I've just been using a worksharp precision and take everything to the 600 then a couple passes on a strop with green chromium oxide or 3 micron diamond to refine it a little bit. I agree that 600 seems to work pretty well on just about everything.

[@michaelsawyer519]

I'll definitely be using this as a reference. Super helpful to all this in one spot. 👍

[@StoneHands25]

thanks for this video!, I was honestly hoping you would eventually do a video like this. I'm patiently waiting for some 15v! take care Jared!

[@thechancellor842]

Great break down!! I love a polished edge.

[@SeemsLogical]

This is the type of video that you favorite and rewatch every time you break out the knife sharpener. What took you so long to release this gem Jerad? Trying to make sure your hair looked just right for the top down camera?

[@mathewsiwinski5813]

Algorithmic blessings.... What a great idea for a video man, awesome content and a great help keep it up!!!!!!

[@mikewazowzki8759]

The guide I've been looking for

[@jt6648]

So glad you brought up this topic and made a video on it. Not enough people are talking about it.

[@satudave]

Definitely my goto source for sharpening knowledge. Always appreciate your wisdom 🤘🤘😎

[@rustyminer]

I've been hoping for a video on this topic. Thank you for putting this together 🙏

[@wde1978]

Phenomenal video! This is some extremely valuable information. It has completely changed my approach to sharpening.

[@jasonconley1022]

Saved to favorites! Thanks for all the work you put into this and the knowledge you provided! This is great info!

[@asueft]

Good idea, doing same

[@SkunkPunch73]

Hahaha snap my mind just can’t hold information anymore and with knowledge like this being spillo😊

[@myfavoriteviewer306]

Oh yeah, I've been looking forward to this one for a long time! Great, as always, thank you!

[@FreedomFox1]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@chriswolf7169]

Awesome explanation on the differences of blade steels 💯 I couldn’t agree with you more on the facts/opinions stated. Been a while since I been on the you tube and Insta but had to stop by and say hay. Keep on keepn on my Brotha You Da Man ML&R to ya guys 😎✊

[@toreycasey1214]

I’m glad I was watching the live!! I had meant to get back to the video it’s long right so it was I’ll watch it later thing and man am I glad you mentioned it, I use diamond stones and love to sharpen my 150+ knives and anyone else’s knives just because I like too this is the single best information I’ve ever seen on steel preferred grits and will help me immensely! I literally was cooking and listening said oh damn this is good stuff paused it watched it in it’s entirety later and took notes on each individual steel! I have never once taken notes on a knife video full page great video I can tell you put a lot of time and effort into it sorry us Americans have the attention span of GNATS!!!

[@malcolmholt2010]

Love this video I haven’t gone wrong following the advice from your old one so excited to try the advice on some of the newer steels

[@CopyNPasteComments]

This is the video I needed! Saving this for sure

[@achimgeist5185]

Very good video, information and experience are always a good starting point 👍 The material being cut also plays an important role, it makes a difference whether you mainly cut, for example cardboard or carve wood. The most important factors for edge retention are: cutting angle, blade thickness, grinding and blade geometry. Steel and hardness also plays a major role. Usually, the finer the structure of a steel, the finer the cutting edge can be ground. However, the proportion and size of the hard carbides also play an important role. Hard carbides increase wear resistance, the finer the grain size of the hard carbides, the more evenly the carbides are distributed in the steel structure, the finer the cutting edge can be ground.

[@desertratedc9596]

Good to know, especially since I just bought a M4 blade.

[@kellendavis8638]

Using this video as a guide to buy knives that love fine edges and mirror polishes😂🤣 Thank you for the info👍👍

[@802mountain6]

Been waiting all day for this.

[@JustStartingOut-nt8ve]

5:27 I appreciate your knowledge and experience. I have Microtech M390 folder that I use as a kitchen knife and it seems that I have to sharpen it every 2 to 3 weeks. I was finishing with 1000 grit, but I will try 600 or lower.

[@mikereese15]

Amazing video man. Crazy informative. I'm still relatively new to knives so I'm saving this for later on down the road when it will be more relevant to me and when I learn more about how to achieve each of these edges. Thanks man. Sick knowledge

[@karlturner7905]

Really good information for those working and maintaining their knives. Thanks Jerad

[@redone7283]

Good subject man. Great advice. One for ya is BD1N. Lotta people have the para 3 LW. I know how I like mine.

[@MultiJew1]

Thank you! This is why I love your channel I have learned a lot from your videos and are always entertaining on your lives. Keep up the amazing work!!!

[@NeevesKnives]

Thank you Chris

[@derrikjasper1283]

This is a fantastic video so glad it got made . Good work as usual

[@toddcarr.]

Awesome vid Jerad this is one that's going to be bookmarked and watched by people for a long time to come. Great information like this to those who are getting into sharpening is something that is asked for so many times. it's great to have a reference vid on hand especially for steels that you don't sharpen to often. PS you left out Surgical Stainless Steel lol. Thanks for the great vid Jerad and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable

[@wesb123]

And here we are a year later researching for Nitro V 😅

[@tallica4life81]

Bgm cruwear and his nitro v are tied for my favorite second fav is a really good heat treat 20cv. I like the way some 20cv breaks down and keeps cutting cardboard.

[@patrickmccrea3455]

Thanks bro this was very informative my overall favorite is spyderco S30v they have it dialed in and it will hold an edge a long time thanks Jared 😊😊

[@dpoppen1]

I think this is great help thank you Jared!! Definitely use this video as a guide greatly appreciate your knowledge!!!

[@CHUCKIT]

If the hrc is a little soft? What adjustments would you make? Love this discussion.

[@EDCandLace]

I can't speak for Jared but for my self, when a knife feels on the softer side I always go lower. Let's say I got really well done m390 that's at like 62.5rc I would take that to 3k in most cases but if that same knife was at 60rc I would take it 1k even tho it may very well be great at 3k I know keeping it lower I will 100% not have a knife that's going to go slick quickly. M4 is a prime example on harder M4 I'll go typically 1000 to 1200, if it's softer I will keep it 400 to 600. Softer steels the higher you go the quicker your going to have a slick edge.

[@CHUCKIT]

@@EDCandLace thank you very much, Lacey.

[@whatfreedom7]

My M4 form Benchmade looks like they sharpened it on a bench grinder. One of the roughest looking sharpening I’ve seen on a new knife.

[@peenchay_whetto2333]

Yeah I remember when I learned about micromelt maxamet and the hardness it could achieve... Then the people at Carpenter wouldn't sell it to me. After about 8 months they pointed me to a small distributor and it was so insanely out of my price range that I couldn't afford it. Despite working at a company owned by Carpenter, they never allowed direct purchase of their materials. Around that time they lost one of their metallurgists to crucible, and I hope Mr. Thome is still killing it out there and maintaining his honesty and integrity.

[@stevenlachance8576]

When I shave with a heifer-maybe once a month- I use lc200n polished on spydiechef

[@malcolmholt2010]

I have gone back to this vid I can't even count how many times. I finally made a spreadsheet with all the info for a quick reference. Probably my most watched vid on KZbin. Just a couple of steels I noticed were missing and I am trying to find what does best? If you have had experience on any of these please let me know? M398, CTS-BD1N,1.4116 and finally 1095 Thanks for all you do!

[@Antimatter.]

I know I’m late to this but thanks for doing this Jerad , been waiting for this one great information

[@paulmills426]

This was a very good video. I really really enjoyed it. Love steel talk.. 🔥🔥🔥

[@NeevesKnives]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@BrandonGavin_EDC]

That PM2 looks spiffy! Is that a new set of scales and clip? I don’t remember that one only your Micarta one.

[@joelhunter984]

Awesome video Sir. Will be used for reference from here on out!!!

[@jkrjhn8]

Great video, thanks for all the info!

[@Bethany415]

I still have plenty of budget knives I like in 4116. I personally like to run a toothier sharpen on it, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[@JohnDoe-zb7dz]

This is definitely a video to bookmark if you own a variety of steels.

[@richterknives]

Love this video bud. I saved it to my knife playlist. Great info and I learned a lot. Thanks for doing this

[@Hungrybird474]

Great video . Thanks for sharing

[@mattdagger1480]

would love an updated video for this just incase anything has changed!

[@RobsJots]

Thanks Jerad!

[@gibberpl1]

I do have similar observations. Really good content.

[@tgonzalez1983]

Yo Jerad, I have a regular work sharp precision system. (The cheapest version). I believe 800 is the highest grit. Would you recommend using ceramic to remove the burrs? Or leather strop? Or both? I’ve been having trouble with k110. Maybe pressing too hard on it. The tips aren’t coming out even with the rest of the bevel

[@ramzcoldlampin5460]

Came here for the S30v knowledge, but found the real nugget was for 154cm. I was wondering why it got skatey as soon as I used it, but I sharpened to 1500 grit. Definitely gonna give it another go at 600 and see what the difference is. Thanks again Jerad, you rock!

[@NeevesKnives]

👊, yeah cpm 154 is even worse, 154 is very fine grained already without being in powdered form

[@ramzcoldlampin5460]

@@NeevesKnives your knowledge is an incredible resource. Thank you for sharing it with the world. I just started sharpening in the last 6 months with a KME, and I am amazed at the subtleties between steels.

[@NeevesKnives]

@ramzcoldlampin5460 yeah just wait until you start noticing the difference in heat treatments on the same steels lol thank you btw 👊

[@jeffp7368]

This was great! I’d love to see how different steels hold their edge against normal daily use and abuse.

[@DullPoints]

Holy cow it's like I'm back in college right now.

[@funkpunked666]

Very educational! Recommend

[@NeevesKnives]

Thank you

[@9rit]

Awesome video! Thank you for the information

[@thaknobodi]

DMT 600 grit is my default final grit. 1000 grit King alox for low vanadium steels.

[@Ahkuji]

I’m currently doing a vanadis test. I don’t think polished is the best for it

[@brandon_crow1291]

For me when it comes to Maxamet I sharpen it to a polished edge but not all the way up to the full edge. I somewhat give it a secondary bevel and at the apex I keep it no higher than 1,000 grit. That way it bites great and holds that working edge but still has the lack of resistance that you get from a high polish.

[@mikafoxx2717]

Would love to see another of these but with edge angles. Stuff like D2 has to be more obtuse than say 14c ran really hard. TO be fair a lot of it depends on the heat treat.

[@malcolmholt2010]

Thanks!

[@NeevesKnives]

👊 🙏 thank you

[@thesodomeister2938]

I'd like to second what Riyame said. Are you using the FEPA grit standard that Venev stones come in, or the more common JIS system? IIRC, FEPA is about four times finer (1000 FEPA is ~4000 JIS) I ask because I know you use both ultrasharp plates in JIS and Venev in FEPA and I'm trying to figure out the equivalent in my limited selection of stones. I take most of my edges up to 4k JIS on a German corundum stone, but I only have steels that like a cloudy semi-polish

[@zulukiloedgewerx]

nice content jared..can't wait to sharpen my knives to try out the range of grit suggested (im taking my notes . some of which i take to the opposite of what is optimal for the steel.. hey gotta try em all.. keep on posting

[@NeevesKnives]

Remember angle is going to massively play a part, a safe angle is 17° but in many cases like many spyderco knives 15° is even better if the geometry can support it

[@zulukiloedgewerx]

@@NeevesKnives yup sure the angle does play important roles..gotcha

[@TacticalBunnyCA]

Super useful video! Thanks Neeves!

[@gagelink2457]

Wow I was skipping forever trying to find the two steels I have and they were both back to back.

[@piperkennard1039]

Very informative thanks brother 👍 🙏

[@jonathanbezjian4301]

So, this may be a dumb question but if I don’t ask, I won’t learn. I just got into sharpening and really am taking a liking to it so I’ve been studying and practicing a lot with good results. But when you say 600 grit finish, does that mean you don’t use a honing ceramic before hitting the strop? By the way your videos have been a tremendous help 🙏🏻

[@ChateauBeaufort]

SUPER INTERESTING: Angle (edge) & Grit (apex) are 2 aspects of good edge keeping. I like fix blades for Bushcraft, & here, toughness for edge holding, with appropriate grit for the edge-apex are where Sharpening Art starts. For wood, a fairly polished edge work best… if not so much for rope cutting… my Folders are of medium interest to me: there S90V (60HRC 17 degree/side) “bites” well enough, sharpened @ 1000 Grit. In the Bush, 440-C or N-695 (versatile field edging) do just fine @ 1000 (Wet/Dry oiled Sand Paper, with a cork trivet for “polishing” the apex). S35VN apex does well at a lower angle of attack (tougher) & Takes a good sharp polished edge. S30V holds 15 degree/side ~ 59HRC… on par with Elmax (Benchmade 162 & TRS Apocalypse). M-390 (Lionsteel M4) is my EDC “pocket” fixed blade: 16-17/side, 2000 Grit (Wet/Dry oiled Sandpaper) is stable & lasting. For the Bushcraft I like the “Chisel” steels with polished edges: O1, A2, M2, 3V, 10V… great apexes

[@EDCandLace]

You ain't kidding about cpm154, my launch 13 only sees a 220g edge and its the only cpm 154 knife i own because its a steel i just dont like but i love 154cm. That steel slicks off faster then any other steel I have ever owned. How it can start to go slick coming off a shapton glass 500 is insane I have never had another steel that will start to slick off on a 500 grit stone. I'm glad cpm 154 isn't super popular to be honest, it's vastly a down grade to 154cm IMHO

[@grumpyuncle.]

Superb content! Well done!

[@falcorcrow]

Please do a video like this but discussing sharpening angle

[@Aa-ron22]

If you finish on a 600 grit, do you not burr off on that stone as well or do it on a ceramic?

[@TannerDuran]

What about for CPM 3V? What’s the best grit range and angular degree? Assuming it is heat treated well and being used for EDC such as cardboard, zip-ties, tape, and maybe some wood shaving on occasion.

[@poppacooter]

loved this.

[@celticpyro]

Awesome video. I had put a polished edge on my 154CM and now know why it became so slick after. Question, after sharpening to medium grit, should I still strop?

[@Kikister101]

Probably late to answer but yes. Strop. It will clean the edge of anything. He has a kizer sheepdog sharpening video lol hope it helps.

[@Hexsyn]

17:23 So watching this video I am really trying to figure out if there is a pattern to your recommendations. Based on your cpm 154 vs 154 cm comment, it seems that you perhaps favor more tooth to the edge when a knife has a more uniform grade structure and perhaps larger carbide? Also I have to ask... it seems like your grit recommendations are for the stone sharpening step, but what grits do you think then are best to follow-up for stropping? Keep the same grit? Maybe step up a few hundred?

[@NeevesKnives]

i look for quality of edge for edc purposes for the most part, the edge angle and bite are what is most important edge geometry and bite, one without other is not optimal.

[@jaredsmith4]

Is there any correlation with edge retention or ease of sharpening and what grit works best? Or maybe material composition and metallurgical process?

[@NeevesKnives]

Yes knives with higher wear resistance will take longer to sharpen however if your using diamond and the right grit it's a small difference. However the ability to create a sharper edge and having a cleaner burr removal will depend on the hrc being harder so the experience is much better than if it was softer with less wear resistance. The grit is mostly based on composition and hrc. I've noticed that steels that have good or decent toughness are the ones that tend to do better with Finer grit finishes. I've found there's a balance between toughness and edge retention can predict the type of edge it will hold best or take as long as hrc is good

[@johnnybaird2687]

Thanks for the great video! What are your thoughts on s45vn? I just put a polished edge on my s45vn paramilitary 2 and it seems to be holding it well so far.

[@NeevesKnives]

Yes s45 does alot better than s35vn with a polished edge, I've found with that steel it boils down to the heat treatment if it's on the softer side it will still take and hold a polished edge but not as good as when it's higher hrc, which is the cade for alot of steels

[@wolverinegnr]

What’s up bro so you wouldn’t go higher than 400grit for let’s say a T.Kell Aebl fixed blade? Thanks

[@adamhannon6976]

I’ve been wondering why my m4 hasn’t been holding like it used to maybe the 1000 grit is to much thanks for the info

[@bosrey7807]

Thanks for the useful info. Haven't sharpened my high end blades yet but have a KME collecting dust that I need to bust out. What angles work for folders? Are they steel specific and does it depend on the grind steepness?

[@joshjohnson2956]

15-20 degrees per side seems to work well. The higher end steels you can take lower.

[@bosrey7807]

@@joshjohnson2956 Thanks man

[@lukuscarter3563]

I know it’s not generally a pocket knife steel, but what would you say about 1095?

[@noelvandepoele600]

What grit rating are you using? I thought FEPA at first until mentioning stuff over 2000 and guessing JIS?

[@natehoover5266]

I have asked a few different knife guys about the Cromax PM on the Shiro Quantum Ursus and no one knows because I think that's the only knife that has it.

[@DavidDegnan]

What about CPM 10V? I got a Kizer Harpoon in 10V and it came with a fairly toothy edge. I thought maybe the vanadium carbides might be too big for a polished edge so when I touched it up to a medium grit, but wonder how fine it can go

[@tariqkamil7853]

So, say 600 grit followed by 3 and 1 micron diamond strop (paste). Toothy with a pretty shine? Worth it or not

[@aaronh305]

Thanks! Amazing guide. So should I sharpen SPY27 same as S35?

[@NeevesKnives]

thank you Sir

[@davidhalbleib5040]

Good video. Very informative. 👍👍

[@Cid_1]

AEB-L/13C26 should take both fine and medium edges. At least how they do it over here in Scandinavia, but I would be surprised if the protocols are much different over in the States. But as you said geometry might play a role in that as well. RWL34 & CPM 154 are also super similar steels.

[@LonestarTaoboy]

10cr15comov is the Chinese analog to VG10. Just like M390 is to CPM20cv and CTS 204p. VG10 is a Japanese name brand that only they can use that name.

[@sterlingstoots3215]

What Angle would you sharpen a Kizer mini Harpoon in 10v steel it is very thin and laser sharp out of the box but I use it daily and was wondering if 30° or 40°

[@Robs_Nerdy_Knives]

So when you say 300 or 600 grit for certain steels, would it be bad to leather strop them because some of the white and green compounds on leather tend to be polishing grit levels (i.e. well above 600)?

[@ryandye6242]

Nice work

[@feraltrafficcone4483]

Yo where’s you get that red mini sheepdog? That thing looks niiiice Or is it the Richlite Red?