The A to Z of Blade Steels - New Edge Retention Roundup

cedric-ada-sto...
Good gravy its bricky on things
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[@uguuwuu6882]

2:10 - 1095 4:36 - 12C27 5:40 - 14C28N 6:59 - 154CM 10:39 - 420HC 12:26 - 440C 15:26 - 8CR13MOV 17:22 - ACUTO440 18:55 - Aogami Blue (Higo no Kami) 19:37 - AUS8 20:31 - BD1 21:59 - Carbone (Opinel) 24:46 - D2 26:18 - Elmax 26:59 - H1 27:53 - HAP40 30:21 - Junk (Z-Hunter) 31:56 - L6 (Svord) 33:01 - LC200N 33:53 - M390 37:23 - Maxamet 39:03 - Mora Carbon 42:26 - REX121 44:27 - S110V 45:49 - S30V 46:36 - S35VN 52:46 - VG10 53:39 - Victorinox 54:42 - XHP 55:25 - ZDP189

[@CedricAda]

Legend! Pinned- thanks man!

[@hidude2124]

He missed a few steels

[@uguuwuu6882]

Hi Dude It's a list of the more common/well known steels in the video (as well as the ones associated with well-known brands of friction folders), so that most of the people who stumble onto the video but aren't interested in watching the whole hour will likely be able to pick out the steels they're interested in without having to click around for a while to find them Edit: I've never actually had a comment of mine pinned by a youtuber before, it's a nice feeling

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Champion!

[@jmbwashi]

Why no BD1 love?

[@Peteyrich93]

Oh man I’m about to watch an hour of edge retention goodness going to grab some coffee before I get too deep into this

[@channelwonnews4322]

thank YOU so very much for reminding me that I need coffee today! Good luck to you sir! PETE = ) THANKS FOR THE VIDEO❤

[@seanbrando_7456]

As a child of the early 80'S----that corny intro made me almost laugh out loud.....good on you. On a serious note, thank's for all the effort you put into your tests. As a knife guy who actually uses his tool's, it is appreciated. Greetings from KY.

[@7ali7]

You know your channel is fucking good when your viewers get happy because a video is OVER AN HOUR LONG 😃👍

[@samthai818]

4 years later and this compilation of tests is fucking awesome! thanks alot Cedric! (pete) Ignore the idiots doing their own tests and getting different results. They completely change your methodology and then want to argue the result. complete idiocy.

[@JoshSethG]

I keep coming back here to watch the beginning of the video and laugh my butt off; it's genius.

[@wattsmichaele]

You are a treasure to the internet. Excellent young man!!

[@markkaplan2133]

Hysterical intro! It was like watching a train wreck. I could not take my eyes off the end of civilization in spandex.

[@JPuckett89]

Paul Bos cryo treats his steels, this is what gives them a boost above their average treated brethren.

[@ORflycaster]

I just found your channel and have been binge watching while wrapping presents. I’m a subscriber now, but after this video I’m a LOYAL viewer! I’m one of those guys who “eats this shit up,” but I also love your honest presentation. The internet is full of BS and attitude, but guys like you and a select few others make me glad to still pipe the internet into my home. Keep up the great job, and I’ll be catching up on older vids while you heal your shoulder.

[@markcrupi]

my wife just walked in and asked me why I'm "watching crap about knives?"....Why do men climb Everest? Why do we reach to touch the moon? She rolled her eyes and walked away....

[@rapamune]

Rofl

[@Surago]

Why do women watch shows about buying houses when they've already forced us into buying a house?

[@jasonbyu75]

I’m glad to see that you won that argument.

[@convex7456]

@@Surago lol right

[@susy0360]

Mark Crupi Hey! I'm a woman passionate about knives, cars, video games, electronic....ok....what is wrong with me? 😉

[@mforrest1508]

That intro was the perfect lenght😂

[@brucemack3687]

You and your family (Basil, Cedric and Ada) so improve my day. Thanks Pete!!

[@PaulK390S90V]

Great video! Brings back memories of all this lol, but now a video with all the tests....its like gold. I just got another Steel Will Modus in m390 for only 100$ on amazon and did my own test with 3/8" sisal and praise the Lord I got 450 cuts....so I didn't get a lemon. Phew. The serial # is 041 and it is the green g10 one. A-ok

[@hardleydangerousmaun]

Worth a like just for the intro! Great effort on this steel testing!

[@gazay7777]

Took me a whole day to watch this off and on but I'm glad I did. Thanks for the video!

[@IamNemoN01]

My experience is that Cru-Wear is tougher than 3V, but not as stainless as 3V. My two Cru-Wear knives are ALWAYS developing rust; whereas my two 3V knives never seem to get rusty. And I’ve had my BRK Grizzly the longest. That said, even though it rusts quicker, I would still preorder a Bushcrafter if they did a run in Cru-Wear. The thing I like about the Cru-Wear is that it hardly ever needs to be sharpened. I exclusively used a Cru-Wear Aurora all last year for bushcrafting, and I only needed to sharpening it ONCE. And I did a lot of batoning, feathersticking, cutting rope, and other tasks. I’ll be putting my BRK 3V Bushcrafter to the test all this year. And so far, as I said, it doesn’t rust like the Cru-Wear. I have a CPM20CV Mini Canadian in the mail right now. That will be my primary EDC for a while. And I’m hoping BRK will do at least one final run of the Featherweight Hunter in Elmax. A little birdie told me that they have some of the steel already cut for another run. We just need more people to show an interest in the Featherweight Hunter so Mike of Bark River will be motivated to push it into production.

[@kylereitan2360]

Absolute best intros on KZbin

[@herbertgearing1702]

On behalf of knife nerds everywhere thank you for all the work that you do to entertain us. Try to take it easy, I have personally experienced some aches and pains from chronic sharpening, whittling, and fidgeting. But more importantly try not to let negative comments from internet trolls bother you. There are people with no friends and no lives who use the internet to lash out in an attempt to spread misery. You can't reason with them, you can't negotiate with them. You will need to learn to ignore them for your own piece of mind. As a great man once said, "f*** them, they ain't us!"

[@greggolden2242]

THANKS FOR THE VIDEO. LOVE TO HAVE YOU SHARPEN MY STUFF. LEARNED A LOT.

[@cafn8ed74]

When it comes to bro knife science, you, sir, are the alpha nerd. Well done!

[@M240Bravo]

Got me some coffee, bunch of knives, sharpening kit, Wireless headphones... ready to watch the hell out of this

[@michaelshuey1614]

I love how he put the spec banners for each steel type right in front of his eyes. The few times he left the banners up for far too long left me in stitches!

[@jameshewettjr.3147]

Thanks for doing your tests, and being a steel nerd. I love to see vids, and read about steel alloys. Keep making videos, and I'll keep watching them.

[@kennethkrieb3018]

Love your channel Pete. Thanks for all your hard work and clear explanations of both the steel in question and your testing methodology

[@cooperevans3835]

Watching an hour of knife steels is the best way to spend time on the weekend

[@robertalantickle160]

Thank you so much for including the link above to the full test results. So much information all in one place. Please keep adding to your test data in the future and please never take it down. If you must take it down, give us warning before you do so we can save a local copy. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@knifesupport9607]

Brilliant work Pete! Your contribution to the knife community is immense and highly appreciated! You've personally influenced me alot as edge retention is something I'm very interested in! Watched the whole vid in one sitting and was absorbed, have referred to your Google sheets data but having it summarised on video form was really helpful! Really enjoyed it and looking forward to your review of the Spyderco Advocate :p

[@csquared4538]

How could anyone not love this channel.

[@jackbax8514]

I can’t believe I just sat for over and hour riveted to the video, taking notes, and hanging on your every word! I’m not one of those guys! I’m really not!

[@MikeUman]

Okay, after having recovered from the trauma that intro video inflicted, I watched the entirety of the video, and, this has to be your crowning achievement! Loads of info, presented in an engaging manner. Wish I could give it multiple thumb's up!

[@JustIn-op6oy]

I put an 18 dps mirror polished edge on a nicely ground acuto+ ripple that's been holding up as well as my 154cm grip. For whatever reason, the sharpening process was very satisfying.

[@hectorramirez5973]

Great, great effort documenting steel performance in your own way. Does give a regular user of cutting tools a fair perspective. Thanks for your effort and seriously take care of that shoulder.

[@Jeff-lt8wc]

Thank you for your time and energy in doing these tests, not to mention in making and editing the video. Lots of great info.

[@danieldelewis2448]

That opening was awesome

[@Brain_Slugs]

Thank you for your hard work and common sense approach to life.

[@kingtaj]

Awesome reference! Thanks for the work

[@ssunfish]

It didn't seem like an hour long video. It is a facet: your results. Steel choice, quality of making it, quality of hardening it. There's so much that can go right or to the wrong...even the grind and sharpening affects how the knife will perform. Some want sharpenability and lower cost, but that maybe cause that's the offerrings from their favorite company. I was surprised the ranges...from 8 cuts on "stainless" to 1400 cuts on Rex 121. Plus getting a wide range just on VG-10. Supposing it's possible and applicable for some businesses to spend the money on the hardening instead of the steel. How bout spending on both and save on handles? That's what's happening on my Delica 4 wharncliffe in HAP-40. THANK YOU! I got more on HAP-40 from you in this video by accident than when I went LOOKING for info on it!! Love my Spyderco even more now!! I badlt want a PM 2 in Rex steel but can't land one. I think I'll be covered with my sole HAP-40 and my PM2 in 20CV. I want to get involved in making my own knives to get features addressed that knifemakers and production knives cannot do bec their knives have to have a bare minimum toughness and durability. Your video sparked SO much wonder here! I am not searching for an ultimate steel, knife, design or edge holding. But from your video I feel there's a lot of possibilites for a great knife which can meet and exceed my needs and wants!

[@notkingcharlemagne9282]

Thank You Sir! Between my edge experiences, you, Ankerson and lock strength / abuser folks, I am prepared to speak to the kids and grand kids regarding sharp tools. Your fluid in the domain, nice; always a pleasure to hang w expertise. Thanks for the spreadsheet as well. We r in the low 100's and lots of fires so your rain sounds seriously sweet; we still have a couple months till ours comes.

[@gonad84]

Great testing sir. Would love to see 154cm mirror polished on your kme. Maybe some cpm 154 as well.

[@edwardjarrell2900]

Thank you so much for all your sharing and your hard work testing steel. Please take care of yourself we want you to continue big time but you health is the most important thing you have.

[@c62west]

Great video. Thanks. I wrote down your results. I trust your cut tests.

[@danielbottner7700]

Appreciate all the testing & insights you derived from your testing methods. Testing should mirror your real world use case scenarios for sure. Developing the testing methods, tools/test rigs to reduce variables & collect data is not easy. Simulating real world use is key to relevant results. Your testing provides us insight into the relative cutting edge stability. I appreciate your sincerity & honesty.

[@astrazenica7783]

The champions, the champions... ...the champions

[@icandi9178]

Great work! Been watching your stuff for years. Invaluable asset to the blade community! Very comprehensive using the same grind (workshop 20 degrees), same cut media and same cut test. I think you mentioned this in the past but the blade digging on the cutting board may be a factor. Here is an idea: if you double up the rope and cut it in the air then you don't have the blade hitting the board. But this means your test will take 5x longer. I can't imagine cutting like that for 300+ cuts... Okay never mind :) Big thanks again!

[@theWZZA]

Thanks for doing all this testing and sharing your results for us.

[@GOxHAM]

What a fun video. Thanks for all you do to bring us these juicy data points. Take care Pete!

[@progunliberal]

So, I have a bunch of budget knives in 8cr13mov and I will say, it's so damn easy to sharpen them with a worksharp Feild sharpener. It's very satisfying to hand run a Kershaw through the process a few times and come out shaving hairs like nothing. I know it doesn't hold long, but for my use (mostly box cutting and such) it's a lot of fun to get an 8cr back up to razor sharp with minimal effort. I will say, however, my mini grip is s30vn hasn't needed to be sharpened yet, and I've used it through several trucks of product at work already.

[@kd6tas]

This is good. I appreciate what you're doing. I get tired of reviews that lack anything close to objective data concerning the actual performance of the knives. Further, your testing has answered a question I've been wondering about for a long time. Thermal treatment of cutlery steel is a big variable and undoubtedly an expensive process. Your testing suggests that the blades on all but the very worst knives undergo at least basic thermal treatment. How well it is done can vary, but at least an effort is being put forth in all but the worst cases. Let's say the steel comes normalized and the manufacturer uses stamping and/or material removal to make their blades. There is no forging or thermal treatment. That would save a lot of money on equipment, supplies and time. The manufacturer can claim whatever they want with regard to the steel used and the process it underwent. End users who do nothing more than slice paper and shave hair off of their arms won't know the difference. I suspect that's what counterfeiters count on.

[@tphvictims5101]

The beginning video is hilarious. I learned quite a bit from your site. Brought new life to my lansky diamond kit. I gotta get that stand attachment. I guess I should I’ve had it close to 40 years.

[@weedXD38]

Nice intro!!! Kinda wish to see Olivia Newton John come out n start singing let me hear your body rock lol.lets get physical, but as always Good Stuff!!!

[@xxcaseyxxc]

Thanks for all the hard work that went into this.

[@an-mf9ib]

The "Cedric and Ada Steel Comparison Ratings"-excel sheet is great! Cheers! Reviewed it so many times already. Ive been hoping someone wouldve just put those steels in order for years now and have some comments on the process as well. Good stuff! Hopefully I can find all the steel there soon(ish?). Many interesting still missing. Also some videos on the toughness testing too. For fixed blades thats usually more important than edge holding. Thanks again!

[@ayrplanes]

As an engineer, I wish the data were represented as hardness divided by difficulty of sharpening. A hard knife is fine but if it takes ages to sharpen, I find myself deferring sharpening past the point where it should occur. Too soft and you are sharpening constantly. To hard and it takes forever to sharpen. There is some sweet spot in the middle. The ideal steel would be easy to sharpen yet have extreme edge holding. You can't find that by focusing to Rockwell C numbers.

[@Spectt84]

Thanks for the hours and hours of effort put into this testing. This testing is as good as one could hope for without a lab full of expensive equipment and a fleet of scientists. I genuinely appreciate the information here. It would be interesting to see someone (with a bit more math skills then I have) figure out an average "CPD" or "cuts per dollar" to help us find the best bang for the buck. Or at least a few underrated steels that perform better than the price implies it should. Anyway thanks again for all your work.

[@SuperSteelSteve]

So is this your thesis for KZbin University? Lol

[@jackstein1171]

Pete; As I have pointed out before, you serve a great purpose for those of us who are interested in this issue . Perfect you don't pretend to be, but great work never the less .Thanks .

[@ibanez7412]

Pete, you are a gem!

[@jasonh1767]

Howdy from the Republic of Texas! I'm a new subscriber. I don't recall for certain, but I believe it may have been Metal Complex, Beez Blades, or Stassa23 who recommended you. Maybe it was all three. Anyway I'm thoroughly enjoying your videos - Please keep making them.

[@nicholassosin6965]

Great, comprehensive content.

[@phillipnunya6793]

I am a Cold Steel fan when it comes to good knives with an even better price, but I'm considering getting the Spyderco Waterway to use a camp and hiking knife because of this video. Awesome content you have a hard time finding anywhere else.

[@dougbulldog9947]

Thanks again for your service to the knife nutta community

[@l75rd83]

The lansky is actually doing pretty well to go up against a KME and tormek

[@connyz6771]

Feel quite bad about your shoulder... Give it enough rest man ;) Best regards from Germany

[@cliffordshedd1100]

nice video.. what your opinion on dc53 steel they say it better than d2 steel

[@JustIn-op6oy]

The muela is probably 440a. Just came across an older coffee table book 9n European/Asian pocket knives and the Muela entries are all some form of 440.

[@brandonfranklin8979]

i know its an old video but I'm pretty new to your channel. I've become a steel nerd over the past couple years as my knife buying/collecting has picked back up after a pretty long hiatus. I gotta say that I love your stuff man. I love that you have a set of parameters that's followed for each test that makes the results more... I don't know more quantifiable, or more tangible I guess. Anyways, thanks for putting out what you do and for putting your arm through all of the hell that you do from these tests. Cheers!!

[@kevola5739]

Repeatability in you tests will verify your accuracy. If you randomly retest a few steels and get similar results allowing for variables then you can feel confident that the majority of testing done is accurate. This can set a baseline for steels and create a plus/minus tolerance of what can be expected. Or you can fire up the BBQ and while the shrimp are grilling go play with the kids and dogs. Then test your arms recovery by seeing how many arm curls you can do with a cold brew.

[@oldmateadz]

I've only used a few steels (S30v, 154CM, VG10, 420HC, 1095cv, Cru-Wear, VGMAX, M4) and the champs are Cru-Wear and M4! Very keen to get a Rex45.

[@randallkelley3599]

Well crap, it's 3:02 am, some jerk just raced down my quite street, so here I am. Probably for the 4th time I have seen this vid. Still stinking great vid. For me...M-390, ZDP-189, Maxemet, s90v, (or110), maybe s45vn? "Nite mate"...

[@JoeyB7615]

Thank you for this ..I appreciate your intent that you put into this as well

[@tinksedc5081]

Your always a must watch for me! Great way for me to get a basic understanding of a wide range of knife steels!

[@ssunfish]

CTS-XHP...was reading last night it is not so tough or edge holding but your info was that its great for fixed blade! I might mis-remember but you said it was a version of D-2 in powder metallurgy that had more ingredients to make what features D2 has happen better...as in more reliably. That's what I took away.

[@nitrorc4life1]

I like xhp myself and have had excellent results with it

[@samuraijaydee]

That intro. I can't stop laughing! 🤣

[@matteoandersini6909]

I need to practice edging a little more for my premature buying of junk steels

[@richardhenry1969]

Don't know how I missed this one but Pete thanks for putting the work in. Now when I fight with someone I have data points other then fanboy feelings. I've always been a buy a knife to use guy, not a pocket jewelry type. An you have helped my theory about buying expensive knives I just don't get on that ban wagon I'll neve own a chris Reeves can have something that I'm afraid to lose if you know what I mean even more the paying for a 20 yearold design that's production anyway that another story thanks for your work an no job is worth hurting yourself exercise is always the answer

[@mervynjones6469]

Thanks mate. Great video. Newly interested in knife steels and this has been really useful.

[@SCQT]

thanks for all the work man good stuff

[@alexeski4109]

Watched till the end, good vid. I didn't even skip the rain part lol

[@knifelife7777]

Good job brother. Thank you for this

[@zironemegeaz]

Shoulder injury for science, much respect Sir!

[@phillipnunya6793]

That into was great...ly confusing. I wasn't sure what I was watching for a little bit. Great video. Too bad you can't do a comparative list of other steel attributes without destroying knives. So glad I bought a Code 4 in XHP for $75. Cold Steel has always been my go to knife company, but damn. I worked in pretty hot and humid conditions with it in my pocket for years and no sign of rust. I've even dropped it onto steel floors point first, and no sign of damage (no, not on purpose). I have only sharpened it once, and I didn't even need to. I just wanted the practice.

[@progunliberal]

As far as your shoulder goes, look man, you need to develop an automated cutting rig. Like, that would be amaze-balls.

[@lionknives3]

He pete. I know its a older Vid but please make Spydercos Bdi1 on the manix2 lightweight compare to gerber.

[@dairakaimenepada5336]

Thanks for the test results. Very Cool Stuff!

[@saltiedawg]

Great video Pete...as another has stated the comments put your info on steels over the top!! William K.

[@kingtaj]

Hey Pete - could you comment on the ease of sharpening for S110V. You have it rated as a 5, the same as S30V, but I've always heard it's far harder to sharpen. I'm just curious about your opinion on ease of sharpening. Thanks!

[@CedricAda]

yeah these ratings were something I probably need to either retcon or at least redo. S110 is a little longer to sharpen than s30v

[@nathenwallis5664]

I would like to see ZT's CPM20CV tested when you can get around to it.

[@ssunfish]

Are you considering the ZT with Green coloured Carbon Fibre designed by Emerson? I have not seen a lot about it as far as reviews. I may skip that offerring.

[@chrisventer3060]

Great show good work

[@jamessherburn]

Many thanks. Shocked by D2. Now I don't know which RAT to buy b/c I enjoy sharpening, learning, and AUS8 can get good results.

[@Abbbb225]

I mentioned in another comment that I'd like to see some more comparisons of the same steel in different knives, and now I see you've already done quite a bit of that. I still think it would be nice to account for edge geometry by comparing the same knives in different steels, as well as the the same knife in different grinds. Spyderco mules and sprints in various models (PM2's, Endura's, Delicas, etc.) would be a good source, as would Bark River (just do bravo's in every steel - maybe DLT or someone will sponsor you). LT Wright would be good for testing different grinds (like a flat vs scandi genesis). I'm curious how the convex compares to scandi to flat.

[@groundofbeing9733]

Most excellent video

[@jon6969]

Great vid! I’m gonna try to find some Rex

[@KemAMP]

This is a great research! I feel you should be rewarded by the community for it.

[@herbertgearing1702]

BTW a good 440c to try would be a German made Boker. I've never done a cut test but I've used and sharpened a couple of knives made in Germany of 440c and it feels /behaves like a different steel than the Chinese 440c.

[@andergraph1]

Awesome testing. Thank you very much.

[@D00MTR33]

Tell someone a knife is Aeb-l and they're all about it. Tell them its 440a and they turn their nose away. Weird since both steels are near identical (440a has a bit more chromium). Its all depending on heat treat, I remember Kershaw junkyard dog in 13c26 (sandviks aeb-l) and that steel was terrible. Felt so gummy on stones, wouldn't take a fine edge that aeb-l is famous for and had huge burrs. Most 440a and 440b we see is at about 55 hrc with a poor quench and loads of retained austenite. If you get it to about 60hrc with a rapid quench and cryo 440a and b will perform better than most people can imagine.

[@WallStreet749]

Wish you would make a downloadable PDF for the steel states.

[@convex7456]

3v. Cruwear. 4v. M4. 52100. M390. Elmax. 1095. 80crv2. 5160. Rex45. Favs

[@jimcarlson6157]

you had me at Richard Simmons

[@daeholm]

80Crv2 is the best bang for buck knife steel going. Finland knows what's up.