What's the lowest edge retention steel you'd carry?

[Pelagic]

I'm changing my answer to:

I'll carry anything. I forgot I have a chopper in 1055 that I "carry" in the woods, and I'm not opposed to carrying a "beater" knife in certain situations, which could be made of Chinese mystery steel.

[Crux]

S35VN

[knivesandbooks]

I'm fine with 1095, XC90, 12c27, and SAK's steel.

[spyderg]

-On a Spydie, VG10. Mind you I keep a Tenacious in the truck but as an emergency/spare knife so it doesn’t count. Spyderco has spoiled me with great steels so it just seems silly not to carry one with a great steel. Luv me some CruWear!
-This exposure to great steels has seeped into my head for any purchase of other brands too. D2, while still a good steel imo, would be the bottom steel choice there.
-I very often carry traditional slipjoints and the whole mindset on steels is different in that world. 1095, 440c are common and just fine for their application. I got a RoughRider for Xmas that just says 440 so who knows? But it’s got a caplifter so it gets a pass.

[JD Spydo]

AUS-8A...although I don't think Spyderco offers anything in that steel. From Spyderco probably VG-10.
I don't go for the Chinese alphabet steels but the reason is not simply poor edge retention. It's because there are a gazillion knives in 8cr and eliminating those knives simplifies my knife buying.

Oh but they used to>> I've still got 3 Spyders from the AUS-8 era. And that's probably my answer would be AUS-8.

Now other than my AUS-8, full Spyderedged Catcherman model I really don't use anything that old very often.

Now a days I would say it's a draw between VG-10 and ATS-55> and those ATS-55 models are getting some age on them.

[dreadpirate]

I would carry a high quality 440C or 420HC blade knife. Needless to say, VG10 is enough for me. Do I own better? Sure! But there's a big difference between what I want and what I need.

[dogrunner]

S30V in a model / design I gotta have. Otherwise at least m390 / 20CV class or better.
With so many good choices in high cutting performance steels at reasonable prices, I am not inclined to go low.

[Mstach07]

52100. It’s the most “basic” steel I have in the arsenal.

[Bloke]

As an office worker, edge retention is of little importantance because I could get by on any given day with a key from my key ring, cheap scissors from my desk’s draw or an old box cutter floating about the warehouse. So in reality I’d be fine with a $2.00 Chinesey Special Steel. :eek:

That all changes when you choose a knife to accompany you camping, shooting, fishing ... :)

[bdblue]

In folders I'll say ATS34/154CM/D2 because I have a few with that steel. I'm unlikely to buy any new folder without better steel.

In fixed blades I would carry 1095, A1, O1, again because I have various interesting knives in those.

[ThePeacent]

I carry weekly or daily "low tier" steels like Victorinox steel, Opinel (Carbon and Stainless), 420HC in my multitool blades, 440A (CRKTs, old Cold Steels, Kershaws), "alphabet soup" steels (Chinese folders, usually 9Cr or 8Cr13MoV like the Byrds but some are 5Cr), H1 (Salts) and AUS8 (Cold Steel), Mora and Sandvik steels, and stainless like 4116 Krupp or 12C27N :spyder:

On occasion I also tote 1095 in traditional knives (Higonokami, and others)

I am fine with all the above as they are usually used for small cuts and simple cutting tasks, short in duration and low in edge wear (often among or near people) :o



for heavier uses I tend to grab my SE blades (H1 most times) or CTS-XHP in my Cold Steels :cool:

[Mom3ntuM]

I'll carry anything, i don't mind sharpening and the things i use my knife for at work ruins the edge no mather what steel i use.
Outside of work I like to Carry higher end steel although I rarely (never :) ) need It.

[Whitetail addict]

1095

[DBCOOPER]

I prefer higher edge retention for my folders but have and still carry at times bucks 420hc

[Crux]

I own a lot of Spydercos, but no VG-10. How about a VG-10 Para 3?

[Mom3ntuM]

I own a lot of Spydercos, but no VG-10. How about a VG-10 Para 3?

Thats a First,, asking for a down grade..
Love it m8 :)

[tonijedi]

Design + geometry > steel.

I’d rock 8Cr if I had to. No big deal.

That's my opinion too. I'll carry my PE H1 Dratonfly without feeling I'm underequipped.

[Crux]

Well if I "had to", I'd carry a knife made from a rock or a nice piece of broken glass.

[Basetta70]

I dont mind because I'm a sharpening guy. Anyway I like AUS8 as low edge retention but it takes a very sharp edge with minimal efforts.

[Brock O Lee]

SAK stainless, or steel with wear resistance up from VG10 for Spydies.